By JOE DODD
Gilmer Buckeyes’ head coach Jeff Traylor has said the same thing all season, “The truth is, that when we play Sabine, we’re going to be 0-0; and that is all that really matters,” said Traylor, who emphasized that the District 15-3A schedule is the start of the real season.
Traylor’s Buckeyes begin district play against the Cardinals Friday night during homecoming festivities at Buckeye Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Gilmer will attempt to add to a home winning streak of 17 straight games, dating back to 2002; as well as a 24-game district winning streak that dates back to 2000. The Buckeyes have claimed five straight, undefeated district championships since their last district loss.
“We have three of our next five games at home,” stated Traylor. “That’s exciting.” The Buckeyes will also host White Oak next Friday, Oct. 20, at Buckeye Stadium during the Yamboree, before traveling to Mineola on Oct. 27. Spring Hill visits Buckeye Stadium Nov. 3, before Gilmer finishes district play at Gladewater on Nov. 10.
“We really feel good about our football team right now,” said Traylor, summing up his team’s 5-0 start. The Buckeyes are the top scoring team in Texas , averaging 55 points per game; and winning by a margin of 36 points per game. Now the Buckeyes go up against district foes that have a combined record of 5-20. Traylor believes that despite their district rivals records, his team will still be motivated. “Because of the proximity of Spring Hill, White Oak and Gladewater; I think all three of those games are going to be pretty intense ball games,” Traylor said. “I expect our kids are going to show up and play well.”
Traylor expects the Buckeyes to play well despite a rash of injuries; that will likely have four starters out for the Sabine game. “I wish we were healthy but we’re not. We have really been through the injury bug this year.” Curtis Brown is nursing a severely sprained ankle and is likely to miss 1-2 games. Jake Ashley’s broken collarbone suffered against Atlanta will force him to miss 4-6 weeks. Jeremy Reeves is expected to miss 2-4 weeks to illness; while Dominique Buchanan is doubtful with a stomach ulcer.
“We have so much depth that we’ve been able to handle it,” said Traylor. “In years past, we’d lose certain kids, and it was hard for us to replace them. This year we just keep having somebody else step up.” Traylor also credits the Buckeyes’ medical team of Dr. David Buller, Dr. Lewis King and Dr. Steven Murry for the care received by the players. “We are so lucky to have the medical staff that we have in Gilmer. I’m very appreciative to all three of those men,” Traylor stated.
Traylor said that most of the Buckeyes’ success in treating players’ injuries can be attributed to one man. “We have the best trainer in the country,” said Traylor. “When my trainer tells me he’s ready to go, that’s when he’ll play. That’s the way it’s been in this field house as long as Steve York’s been here, and that’s the way it’s going to be as long as Steve York is here.”
Despite the Buckeyes injuries, Sabine doesn’t seem to pose much of a threat in stopping Gilmer’s winning streaks. The Cardinals are 0-5, and have lost each game by an average score of 48-5. The Cardinals have played a tough schedule; their opponents combined record is 21-4, including 3 undefeated teams. Second-year Sabine head coach Greg Anderson knows the Cardinals face a tough challenge. “Gilmer; just from a talent stand point, is way out there in front of anybody that we’ve faced,” said Anderson .
“Greg Anderson does a good job over there,” said Traylor. “Sabine has struggled through the years, and Greg’s trying to turn the program around.” The Cardinals’ last playoff appearance was in 1985, and the program has managed just 14 wins since the 2000 season. “Unfortunately it hasn’t shown up on the scoreboard on Friday nights yet, but I think we’re getting closer,” Anderson said. “We’ve made a lot of strides, and feel good about where we are.”
Anderson is hoping that the Cardinals can take advantage of last week’s open date. “Two weeks to prepare for Gilmer; that’s always a good thing,” said Anderson, who scouted Gilmer’s win over Atlanta and came away impressed. “One thing you never hear about is that offensive line,” stated Anderson. “That offensive line is as good as just about any that I’ve seen on the high school level. It’s more about G.J., Curtis Brown and Justin Johnson. What they do up front goes a long way to what the quarterback, receivers and running backs are capable of.”
Anderson said that a win against Gilmer would bring instant credibility to the struggling Cardinals. “They’re known all over the state. With the winning tradition they’ve had over the past few years and the expectations for this year, that’s been circled on our schedule for a long time.”
Sabine Offense
The Cardinals operate out of multiple formations, including the option and the shotgun. Senior Shannon Anderson (5-10, 175) switches to running back after starting at quarterback last season. He is one of seven offensive starters returning for Sabine. Anderson ’s replacement at quarterback is junior Josh Herod (6-0, 175). Seniors Travis Hatt (5-10, 160) and Josh Miller (5-10, 170) provide experienced receivers. The Cardinals’ offensive line consists of all juniors.
Sabine Defense
The Cardinals operate out of the same 50 defense that Gilmer employs. Sabine also welcomes back 5 defensive starters, including first-team all-district cornerback Ryan Kennedy (6-0, 170). Other returnees on the unit include linebackers Miller and junior Justin Wingate (5-10, 205), along with sophomore Cody Smith (5-10, 195).
Scout Team
Players of the Week
Offense: Jared Harborth
Defense: Tyrone Fort
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
ARSENIAL RICHARDSON (44) and Darian Godfrey haul down an Atlanta Rabbit ball carrier just shy of the goalline last Friday night as the rest of the Black Flag defense rushes to their aid. From left are Brennan Thompson, Evin Wilson, Donte Harris, C.J. Kyle, Jud Murry and Dunterius Goodman. Gilmer defeated Atlanta, 49-12, in Rabbitland to improve its record to 5-0. The Buckeyes celebrate Homecoming at Buckeye Stadium Friday night, Oct. 13, against the Sabine Cardinals (0-5) in the District 15-3A opener for both schools.
Outside the Huddle: Football traditions ward off bad luck for the superstitious
Gilmer Buckeyes’ head coach Jeff Traylor has said the same thing all season, “The truth is, that when we play Sabine, we’re going to be 0-0; and that is all that really matters,” said Traylor, who emphasized that the District 15-3A schedule is the start of the real season.
Traylor’s Buckeyes begin district play against the Cardinals Friday night during homecoming festivities at Buckeye Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Gilmer will attempt to add to a home winning streak of 17 straight games, dating back to 2002; as well as a 24-game district winning streak that dates back to 2000. The Buckeyes have claimed five straight, undefeated district championships since their last district loss.
“We have three of our next five games at home,” stated Traylor. “That’s exciting.” The Buckeyes will also host White Oak next Friday, Oct. 20, at Buckeye Stadium during the Yamboree, before traveling to Mineola on Oct. 27. Spring Hill visits Buckeye Stadium Nov. 3, before Gilmer finishes district play at Gladewater on Nov. 10.
“We really feel good about our football team right now,” said Traylor, summing up his team’s 5-0 start. The Buckeyes are the top scoring team in Texas , averaging 55 points per game; and winning by a margin of 36 points per game. Now the Buckeyes go up against district foes that have a combined record of 5-20. Traylor believes that despite their district rivals records, his team will still be motivated. “Because of the proximity of Spring Hill, White Oak and Gladewater; I think all three of those games are going to be pretty intense ball games,” Traylor said. “I expect our kids are going to show up and play well.”
Traylor expects the Buckeyes to play well despite a rash of injuries; that will likely have four starters out for the Sabine game. “I wish we were healthy but we’re not. We have really been through the injury bug this year.” Curtis Brown is nursing a severely sprained ankle and is likely to miss 1-2 games. Jake Ashley’s broken collarbone suffered against Atlanta will force him to miss 4-6 weeks. Jeremy Reeves is expected to miss 2-4 weeks to illness; while Dominique Buchanan is doubtful with a stomach ulcer.
“We have so much depth that we’ve been able to handle it,” said Traylor. “In years past, we’d lose certain kids, and it was hard for us to replace them. This year we just keep having somebody else step up.” Traylor also credits the Buckeyes’ medical team of Dr. David Buller, Dr. Lewis King and Dr. Steven Murry for the care received by the players. “We are so lucky to have the medical staff that we have in Gilmer. I’m very appreciative to all three of those men,” Traylor stated.
Traylor said that most of the Buckeyes’ success in treating players’ injuries can be attributed to one man. “We have the best trainer in the country,” said Traylor. “When my trainer tells me he’s ready to go, that’s when he’ll play. That’s the way it’s been in this field house as long as Steve York’s been here, and that’s the way it’s going to be as long as Steve York is here.”
Despite the Buckeyes injuries, Sabine doesn’t seem to pose much of a threat in stopping Gilmer’s winning streaks. The Cardinals are 0-5, and have lost each game by an average score of 48-5. The Cardinals have played a tough schedule; their opponents combined record is 21-4, including 3 undefeated teams. Second-year Sabine head coach Greg Anderson knows the Cardinals face a tough challenge. “Gilmer; just from a talent stand point, is way out there in front of anybody that we’ve faced,” said Anderson .
“Greg Anderson does a good job over there,” said Traylor. “Sabine has struggled through the years, and Greg’s trying to turn the program around.” The Cardinals’ last playoff appearance was in 1985, and the program has managed just 14 wins since the 2000 season. “Unfortunately it hasn’t shown up on the scoreboard on Friday nights yet, but I think we’re getting closer,” Anderson said. “We’ve made a lot of strides, and feel good about where we are.”
Anderson is hoping that the Cardinals can take advantage of last week’s open date. “Two weeks to prepare for Gilmer; that’s always a good thing,” said Anderson, who scouted Gilmer’s win over Atlanta and came away impressed. “One thing you never hear about is that offensive line,” stated Anderson. “That offensive line is as good as just about any that I’ve seen on the high school level. It’s more about G.J., Curtis Brown and Justin Johnson. What they do up front goes a long way to what the quarterback, receivers and running backs are capable of.”
Anderson said that a win against Gilmer would bring instant credibility to the struggling Cardinals. “They’re known all over the state. With the winning tradition they’ve had over the past few years and the expectations for this year, that’s been circled on our schedule for a long time.”
Sabine Offense
The Cardinals operate out of multiple formations, including the option and the shotgun. Senior Shannon Anderson (5-10, 175) switches to running back after starting at quarterback last season. He is one of seven offensive starters returning for Sabine. Anderson ’s replacement at quarterback is junior Josh Herod (6-0, 175). Seniors Travis Hatt (5-10, 160) and Josh Miller (5-10, 170) provide experienced receivers. The Cardinals’ offensive line consists of all juniors.
Sabine Defense
The Cardinals operate out of the same 50 defense that Gilmer employs. Sabine also welcomes back 5 defensive starters, including first-team all-district cornerback Ryan Kennedy (6-0, 170). Other returnees on the unit include linebackers Miller and junior Justin Wingate (5-10, 205), along with sophomore Cody Smith (5-10, 195).
Scout Team
Players of the Week
Offense: Jared Harborth
Defense: Tyrone Fort
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
ARSENIAL RICHARDSON (44) and Darian Godfrey haul down an Atlanta Rabbit ball carrier just shy of the goalline last Friday night as the rest of the Black Flag defense rushes to their aid. From left are Brennan Thompson, Evin Wilson, Donte Harris, C.J. Kyle, Jud Murry and Dunterius Goodman. Gilmer defeated Atlanta, 49-12, in Rabbitland to improve its record to 5-0. The Buckeyes celebrate Homecoming at Buckeye Stadium Friday night, Oct. 13, against the Sabine Cardinals (0-5) in the District 15-3A opener for both schools.
Outside the Huddle: Football traditions ward off bad luck for the superstitious
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