Photos Andy Calvert - L-R: #60 BROCK SHELLHOUSE OL/DL #13 PEYTON WILSON- QB/DB #71 ZAC PARDUE- OL/DL
GORDON CENTRAL WARRIORS
2020 RECORD: 3-7, overall (2-4, REGION 7-AA)
HEAD COACH: T.J. Hamilton, 6-14 in 2 seasons as Head Coach)
ALL TIME RECORD: 361 games – 131 – 228 – 2 (37%)
TOTAL SEASONS: 36 FIRST SEASON: 1985 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 20
REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
The Gordon Central Warriors are going into 2021 hoping to improve upon the 3-7 record they have finished with each of the last 3 seasons. With a somewhat good mix of experience and youth, it’s possible they can fight for a playoff position this season.
This will be a young team, with quarterback Tyler Hedges being a sophomore. He and junior Peyton Wilson will battle it out in the offseason for the starting position.
The running back position will be held by Sean Gray, a senior. Junior Omar Lara will tote the rock, as well as seniors Brison McGinnis and Ryan Shaw, in an attempt to raise the Warriors’ scoring average of 16 points to a higher number this season.
The wide receiver and defensive back positions are up for grabs as there are a number of skilled position players who can fill the available spots on the depth chart.
Senior linemen Brock Shellhouse, Paul Guerrero, Zac Pardue will be forces on both the offensive and defensive lines in 2021.
Gordon Central strives to change the culture and transform this program into a winning program. It takes time to transition and in coach Hamilton’s third season, it may be time for the tide to turn.
Making Strides
The unique services available at Murphy-Harpst do wonders for these kids. From small, meaningful steps in therapy to huge leaps into adult life, Fuller and Wood have seen many children make life-changing progress because of Murphy-Harpst.
One child, Joshua*, arrived at Murphy-Harpst at the age of 13. Full of anger and trauma from his past, his struggled to acclimate and was prone to outbursts. His second week, he was working with a group at the equine center, learning to saddle the horses. Joshua grew frustrated, threw his saddle down, and started walking away. Blaze, the horse he was working with, followed him and nudged him. Joshua saw Blaze but continued to walk. After Blaze nudged Joshua again, the equine instructor said, “Blaze wants you to put the saddle on him.
Blaze knows you can do this.” Joshua immediately broke down in tears. “It was a moment for this young man to really settle into our program,” Fuller says of the moment. “For the first time, somebody cared about him; somebody valued him, wanted him, and was pursuing him in a way that nobody ever had before. With a therapist there and in an environment like this, it’s one of those pieces that’s significant, life-changing.”
In 2017, Murphy-Harpst introduced the Transitional Living Program (TLP), yet another resource that allows at-risk youth and young adults to benefit from the organization’s services. Older teens who are on the verge of “aging out” of state care now have the option to stay on Murphy-Harpst’s campus as part of this program.
The TLP allows these young adults to join an educational or a vocational track. They might work toward a GED or a college degree, or they might get a job in the community, all the while learning valuable skills for independent living. Budgeting and bill pay, grocery shopping and meal preparation, job application tips and more are invaluable lessons that these young adults have the opportunity to learn while staying at Murphy-Harpst.
Get Involved
Murphy-Harpst is always open to community support, and there are several ways that you can get involved. Groups often sponsor drives to collect school supplies, recreation equipment, or “build a bedroom” items for a new resident, or they can volunteer to host a birthday party or assist with beautification projects on the campus.
When school is out, Murphy-Harpst welcomes community volunteers who want to assist with recreational activities. “We need the gifts and financial support, but we need the people. We need community on our campus,” Fuller says. “Ultimately, we need more people to be aware of the needs of this population of youth and more communities that are moved to serve them.”
