Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

GHS Go-Devils Show Promise

By JOHN MILLER

Autumn in Arkansas means two things are rapidly approaching: deer season and high school football.

Well, deer season is still a ways off, but football season kicks off Friday night with the Gurdon Go-Devils hosting the Fouke Panthers at Gus Brown Field.

This year the Devils will be looking at new faces on the other side of the ball, having dropped in class and been moved to a new conference, the 7A-West.

This means there will be more conference games for the squad, with no breathers at all.

However, Devil coach and athletic director John Pace said his team will compete well in its new league. In fact, he said there are four teams in the division which could be competitive in AA ball.

Those teams, he said, include Gurdon, Stamps, Murfreesboro and Mineral Springs. All will be good teams.

"They (the Arkansas Activities Association) didn't do us any favors with the move," he said.

On the other hand, the AAA didn't do the other teams in the 7A-West any favors by placing Gurdon in the league either.

Pace said the Devils have some team speed this year, including a pair of running backs who can cover the 40- yard dash in 4.7 seconds or less, with a wide receiver who's even faster. "Those three can motor pretty good," he said.

However, the demonic team had to replace its signalcaller this season as Brian McGalliard graduated last year. This situation has been narrowed down to two players -- T.J. Eckert and Jarrod Toland, with Eckert, a senior, having a slim edge so far.

The fullback slot will be no problem for Pace and the Devils. Nick Hughes returns for his senior season, bigger than he was last year, and possibly stronger. In addition, Kaleb Williams has shown a great deal of promise at the fullback position and will see a good deal of action himself.

The tailback position will see Mario Charles and Kenny Hughes spelling each other. Pace said both are quick, run hard and make good decisions.

Defensive ends in the league will have their hands full of Gurdon's tight end, 6-2, 262 pound junior Kewon Penney, who already has a few colleges giving him the once over.

All, though, is not well in Devilville. Pace said the offensive line will be young, and in some positions, small.

Colby Deaton, a 6-0, 235 pound sophomore, looks like the probable starter at right tackle. Junior Marvin Berry has been tabbed to be the right guard. He stands 5-8, tipping the scales at 165. Senior Tommy Otwell will be the center, anchoring the middle of the offensive line at 5-10, 180.

On the left side of the ball, soph Flint King looks to start at guard. King is 6-0 and weighs 240. Derrick Gulley, 5-11, 295 pound junior, will be the tackle.

But the problem, Pace said, comes from them not playing much together. "This is an area we need to improve on to be competitive."

Looking in the backfield once again, Pace said Antonio Gatlin will see action as a wing back, while K. Hughes will pull extra duty as a wideout.

One area Pace sees few problems with is his linebacking corps. Nick Hughes returns on the left side, while his fullback counterpart, Williams, will be on the other side of the field.

The Devils will also have speed in the secondary, along with some players who can, and will, hit. he said Toland and Berry will by strong safeties, defending anything in the air.

"Our defense has a chance to be really good," Pace said. "Of the 11 players, only one sophomore will start."

This will be Eric Allen at free safety. Allen is 6-2, 180. Pace said he plays smart and does a good job.

K. Hughes will be staring into the eyes of opposing centers as Gurdon's nose man defensively, while Penney will be at left tackle and Josh Thomas returns as right tackle. Charles and Eckert will be the left and right ends respectively.

At the right cornerback post, Pace has penciled in Pat Lomack (who will also play wide receiver) and Gatlin. The left corners will be Hatley and Jeff Rhodes.

Other players Gurdon fans need to watch out for include sophomore Josh Griffin, who will see action as quarterback and defensive end; also, Demond Beasley will spend time on the gridiron as tight end and defensive end.

Pace said the team's kicking game is looking pretty good. Thomas returns to handle the chores of kicking off and all placekicking (field goals and extra points), while Penney and Toland will take care of the punting detail.

"We have to get our offense cranked up and used to working together," Pace said. "We can be good, barring injury. We've been physically oriented in practice, but may need to back off to avoid hurting ourselves."

Once again, the Devils will operate offensively out of the I formation and run a multiple 50 defense.

The first pigskin of the season will be booted at 7:30 Friday night at Gus Brown Field.