Gordon Central gets another good chance at first win at home
Gordon Central was extremely close two weeks ago to breaking their long losing streak, but a final minute touchdown from LFO forced them to continue waiting.
Now, the Warriors have as good a chance as they have this season to end their almost two years without a win when they host Coahulla Creek on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Ratner Stadium.
Gordon Central (0-6, 0-4), which hasn’t won a game since Nov. 9, 2012, was within seconds of earning a victory two weeks ago at home over LFO, after leading 24-8 at the half and 31-23 after the third quarter, but let one slip through their hands.
The welcome an equally winless Coahulla Creek (0-5, 0-3) team this week. The Colts have had all kinds of trouble in the first half of the season. They scored their first points of 2014 last Friday in a 21-14 loss to Murray County.
Gordon Central, on the other hand, is coming off a very competitive half of football in their matchup against rival Sonoraville last Friday. The final score was 27-3, but the Warriors played Sonoraville even in the second half, 3-3, as they seemed to get some positive momentum going on both sides of the ball.
The Warriors ran a version of the no-huddle, hurry-up offense to start the second half against the Phoenix and found some success on the ground. The three-headed running back group of Noah Bingiel, Dakota Maddox and Devonte Jenkins combined to rush for 109 yards in the second half and 121 in the game.
The defense stymied Sonoraville as well, holding the Phoenix potent rushing attack at bay, and allowing just three points in the second half. They forced two turnovers, one coming on an interception from Bayley Whittle and the other being a fumble recovery by Terrance Smith.
The Gordon Central special teams was also a plus in the final two quarters last Friday as kicker Rafael Rolon connected on a 25-yard field goal for the Warriors’ only points of the night.
Another factor in Friday night’s game for the Warriors will be a measure of revenge. In last year’s road trip to Coahulla Creek, Gordon Central fell 14-6 to continue a tough stretch in the middle of their 0-10 season. The two teams have only met twice with each winning one matchup.
The Gordon Central players should be rested and ready as they get to focus on just football this week with Gordon County Schools on Fall Break.
The home crowd is ready for a chance to celebrate after close to two years of seeing their Blueand-white clad team come up on the losing side, and this could be the week they get to do that.
But Gordon Central coach David Humphreys will make sure his team doesn’t take Coahulla Creek lightly as he looks at every team as equally challenging.
Gordon Central looked much better in the second half last Friday against Sonoraville, and you could really sense the players gaining some confidence as they stood toeto-toe with the Phoenix. Unfortunately, the first half didn’t go as successfully as the Warriors fell behind by a wide margin before hitting the locker room, which has been a theme not only in 2014, but last season also.
This week, a Coahulla Creek team that has struggled mightily to get anything going in the right direction this season comes to town. The Colts have scored 14 points this season, all coming last week against Murray County.
The Warriors’ good momentum from the second half last week coupled with Coahulla’s lack of success this season should make for a good night at Ratner Stadium. It will probably be the best night they’ve had there in a couple years.
Gordon Central wins, 28-13.
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