By JOE DODD
The Gilmer Buckeyes have a lot at stake Friday night when they travel the 15 miles south to Jack V. Murphy Bear Stadium to take on longtime rival Gladewater in the final game of the regular season. With a win, the Buckeyes will capture their sixth consecutive undefeated district championship. With a win, the Buckeyes will complete their third undefeated regular season in the past four seasons. With a win, the Buckeyes will extend their district winning streak to 29 games. With a loss… well, Buckeyes head coach Jeff Traylor doesn’t want to think about what a loss would do. “Obviously if we lose, we’re sharing the district championship with Spring Hill and Gladewater, and that’s worse than kissing your sister,” said Traylor.
Traylor leads his Buckeyes into Bear country with a perfect 9-0 season record, and a number one state ranking according to many polls. Gladewater (4-5 overall, 3-1 district) enters the game as 36-point underdogs, needing a win to assure them of a playoff spot the following week. Gilmer’s first round playoff game is set, with the Buckeyes meeting Liberty-Eylau next Friday at Longview’s Lobo Stadium.
“You play every game, every week to win; so that’s our goal here, to win the ball game,” said Bears’ head coach Scott Callaway. “Whether it’s to get in (to the playoffs) or just playing for pride; we’re going in to this week with a goal of trying to win this ball game.” Callaway is no stranger to winning ball games. He lead the Big Sandy Wildcats to a 51-14 record and an appearance in last year’s 1A state championship game, before moving down Highway 80 to Gladewater in the off-season.
Traylor can appreciate Callaway’s challenge at Gladewater. Like Callaway, Traylor was charged with taking over a storied football program when he arrived in Gilmer in 2000. Traylor’s first game as Buckeyes’ head coach was against the Bears. “In 2000, Gladewater was state-ranked, and we were the underdogs,” said Traylor. “They were kicking our tails all over the field out here, and we just kept hanging with them, and finally we came back and beat them.” Traylor still considers Gilmer’s 42-21 win that night one of his greatest. It also helps him put this matchup in perspective.
“This game reminds me of that one,” stated Traylor. “We’re the established program now; we’re the state-ranked program and they’re the program with a first-year head coach, so that immediately gets my guard up because I know that anything can happen.” Traylor also knows that, “It’s Gilmer-Gladewater, so you can throw the records out the window.”
“It’s a rivalry week,” continued Traylor. “Our kids are excited about this week. We’ll have a great week of practice, and it will be fun. We’ll go over there and the hair will be standing up on your neck.”
Callaway may be new to Gladewater, but he realizes how important this game is. “You know there’s pride at stake for both communities; it’s a big ballgame for each school, and each program,” said Callaway. “We know we’re going to get their best game. We know they’re going to be prepared, and they’re going to play to their best; and that’s what our goal is also for our team; just come out and play the best that we can.”
Traylor said that despite his team’s playoff matchup already being set, the Buckeyes have too much at stake to think about resting their starters against the Bears. “We’re going over there to play,” Traylor said. “There’s not a bigger game on our schedule than Gladewater. We won’t take them lightly. We’ll prepare hard this week, and we’re going over there to win.”
Traylor knows how to win against the Bears. He sports a 5-1 record against Gladewater, including four wins in a row. The Buckeyes have outscored the Bears in those six games by an average of 41-16. Despite his success against them, Traylor still harbors a healthy respect for his arch-rival. “Athletically, they scare me. They’ve got some kids that can play,” said Traylor. “Coach Callaway is in his first year, and he’s trying to learn those kids and get them in the right positions. By the end of the year; he’s got that figured out and they’re playing a lot better football right now than they were earlier in the year.”
Earlier in the year, Gladewater struggled to a 1-4 non-district record. After beating Pine Tree to start the season, the Bears lost their next four games to Rains, Rusk, Wills Point and Lindale. Not exactly losses to be ashamed of, since those four teams have a combined record of 24-12 this season. The Bears’ only district loss was to Spring Hill, a 51-16 setback just three weeks ago. Since then, Gladewater has been impressive in wins over White Oak and Sabine by a combined score of 99-27.
Callaway said that his team knows the odds are stacked against them. “It would be a huge win,” Callaway said. “Nobody’s really expecting us to win this ball game. It would be nice to have a win, but we know that we have a big task at hand this Friday.”
Traylor finished his preview with this statement: “It ought to be a wild and exciting night.”
When Gladewater has the football
Callaway brought the spread offense with him to Gladewater. The Bears seem to be learning quickly, as Gladewater averages 30.5 points per game. Senior quarterback Brandon Gibbons is 96-of-189 passing for 1,376 yards and 15 touchdowns, with just 3 interceptions. Senior Carwin Cooper leads the Bears ground attack with 572 yards and 5 touchdowns on 85 carries. “Their quarterback (Brandon Gibbons) started last year, and he can play,” said Traylor. “Gibbons can run and throw. Edwin Harris, the tailback, can play. Jason Prince is a great offensive lineman; he’s a returning starter. Cameron Cockerel is a great offensive lineman. Carwin Cooper at receiver, can really play. So they’ve got some kids that can go.”
The Buckeyes counter with a defense that doesn’t get a lot of respect from the fans, despite allowing only 14 points per game so far this season. Traylor said that isn’t fair. “Our defense has played well all year except for one half at Daingerfield. Other than that one hiccup, our defense has been great.” Gladewater’s Callaway agrees. “I’m pretty impressed with their defense also,” Callaway stated. “They’re creating a lot of opportunities for their offense now.”
Linebackers Arsenial Richardson (111 tackles, 5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions) and Dominique Buchanan (72 tackles, 1 forced fumble) lead a Buckeyes’ defense that has forced 34 turnovers in nine games, while allowing only 132 yards rushing and 92 yards passing per game.
When Gilmer has the football
The Bears also mirror the Buckeyes’ defense with the 50 scheme, to take advantage of their team speed. Senior defensive end Dwight Johnson and sophomore linebacker Cardarian Lewis lead a Bears’ defense that has given up 34.2 points per game. A Buckeyes’ offense that averages 56 points and 528 total yards per game will be Gladewater’s toughest challenge of the season. “They’re a very talented football team across the board,” stated Callaway.
Traylor said that despite the point totals the Bears have given up; Gladewater’s defense is improving. “Edwin Harris, their middle linebacker, he’s a stud; he can play. (DE) Dwight Johnson; he can play. (LB) Cardarian Lewis; he can play. (FS) Devvyn Eddington; he can play. (CB) Carwin Cooper started for us in junior high, so I know he can play.”
Did you know?
Gladewater leads the all-time series 25-23-2. Gilmer won the first meeting 77-0 in 1929. From 1929 to 1971 the Bears led the series 9-8-1. From 1972 through 1990, Gladewater dominated the series 14-2-1. The Buckeyes have been the dominant team since 1991, leading the series 13-2. The two teams have met every year since 1980.
Despite leading all Class 3A teams in scoring with 505 points in nine games; the Buckeyes need 58 points against Gladewater just to break the team’s regular season scoring mark set in 1930. The 1930 team scored 562 points in their first 10 games, on their way to an 11-2 season record.
Directions to Jack V. Murphy Bear Stadium
Take U.S. Highway 271 South 14 miles to Gladewater. Turn right onto West Gay Avenue and go 1.5 miles. Stadium will be on the left.
Scout Team
Players of the Week
Offense: Kedon Franklin
Defense: Joseph Crocker
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
THE BLACK FLAG defense closes in on Spring Hill’s Max Garcia (25) as Zach Jones (13), Arsenial Richardson (44), David Smith (33) and Dunterius Goodman (2).
The Gilmer Buckeyes have a lot at stake Friday night when they travel the 15 miles south to Jack V. Murphy Bear Stadium to take on longtime rival Gladewater in the final game of the regular season. With a win, the Buckeyes will capture their sixth consecutive undefeated district championship. With a win, the Buckeyes will complete their third undefeated regular season in the past four seasons. With a win, the Buckeyes will extend their district winning streak to 29 games. With a loss… well, Buckeyes head coach Jeff Traylor doesn’t want to think about what a loss would do. “Obviously if we lose, we’re sharing the district championship with Spring Hill and Gladewater, and that’s worse than kissing your sister,” said Traylor.
Traylor leads his Buckeyes into Bear country with a perfect 9-0 season record, and a number one state ranking according to many polls. Gladewater (4-5 overall, 3-1 district) enters the game as 36-point underdogs, needing a win to assure them of a playoff spot the following week. Gilmer’s first round playoff game is set, with the Buckeyes meeting Liberty-Eylau next Friday at Longview’s Lobo Stadium.
“You play every game, every week to win; so that’s our goal here, to win the ball game,” said Bears’ head coach Scott Callaway. “Whether it’s to get in (to the playoffs) or just playing for pride; we’re going in to this week with a goal of trying to win this ball game.” Callaway is no stranger to winning ball games. He lead the Big Sandy Wildcats to a 51-14 record and an appearance in last year’s 1A state championship game, before moving down Highway 80 to Gladewater in the off-season.
Traylor can appreciate Callaway’s challenge at Gladewater. Like Callaway, Traylor was charged with taking over a storied football program when he arrived in Gilmer in 2000. Traylor’s first game as Buckeyes’ head coach was against the Bears. “In 2000, Gladewater was state-ranked, and we were the underdogs,” said Traylor. “They were kicking our tails all over the field out here, and we just kept hanging with them, and finally we came back and beat them.” Traylor still considers Gilmer’s 42-21 win that night one of his greatest. It also helps him put this matchup in perspective.
“This game reminds me of that one,” stated Traylor. “We’re the established program now; we’re the state-ranked program and they’re the program with a first-year head coach, so that immediately gets my guard up because I know that anything can happen.” Traylor also knows that, “It’s Gilmer-Gladewater, so you can throw the records out the window.”
“It’s a rivalry week,” continued Traylor. “Our kids are excited about this week. We’ll have a great week of practice, and it will be fun. We’ll go over there and the hair will be standing up on your neck.”
Callaway may be new to Gladewater, but he realizes how important this game is. “You know there’s pride at stake for both communities; it’s a big ballgame for each school, and each program,” said Callaway. “We know we’re going to get their best game. We know they’re going to be prepared, and they’re going to play to their best; and that’s what our goal is also for our team; just come out and play the best that we can.”
Traylor said that despite his team’s playoff matchup already being set, the Buckeyes have too much at stake to think about resting their starters against the Bears. “We’re going over there to play,” Traylor said. “There’s not a bigger game on our schedule than Gladewater. We won’t take them lightly. We’ll prepare hard this week, and we’re going over there to win.”
Traylor knows how to win against the Bears. He sports a 5-1 record against Gladewater, including four wins in a row. The Buckeyes have outscored the Bears in those six games by an average of 41-16. Despite his success against them, Traylor still harbors a healthy respect for his arch-rival. “Athletically, they scare me. They’ve got some kids that can play,” said Traylor. “Coach Callaway is in his first year, and he’s trying to learn those kids and get them in the right positions. By the end of the year; he’s got that figured out and they’re playing a lot better football right now than they were earlier in the year.”
Earlier in the year, Gladewater struggled to a 1-4 non-district record. After beating Pine Tree to start the season, the Bears lost their next four games to Rains, Rusk, Wills Point and Lindale. Not exactly losses to be ashamed of, since those four teams have a combined record of 24-12 this season. The Bears’ only district loss was to Spring Hill, a 51-16 setback just three weeks ago. Since then, Gladewater has been impressive in wins over White Oak and Sabine by a combined score of 99-27.
Callaway said that his team knows the odds are stacked against them. “It would be a huge win,” Callaway said. “Nobody’s really expecting us to win this ball game. It would be nice to have a win, but we know that we have a big task at hand this Friday.”
Traylor finished his preview with this statement: “It ought to be a wild and exciting night.”
When Gladewater has the football
Callaway brought the spread offense with him to Gladewater. The Bears seem to be learning quickly, as Gladewater averages 30.5 points per game. Senior quarterback Brandon Gibbons is 96-of-189 passing for 1,376 yards and 15 touchdowns, with just 3 interceptions. Senior Carwin Cooper leads the Bears ground attack with 572 yards and 5 touchdowns on 85 carries. “Their quarterback (Brandon Gibbons) started last year, and he can play,” said Traylor. “Gibbons can run and throw. Edwin Harris, the tailback, can play. Jason Prince is a great offensive lineman; he’s a returning starter. Cameron Cockerel is a great offensive lineman. Carwin Cooper at receiver, can really play. So they’ve got some kids that can go.”
The Buckeyes counter with a defense that doesn’t get a lot of respect from the fans, despite allowing only 14 points per game so far this season. Traylor said that isn’t fair. “Our defense has played well all year except for one half at Daingerfield. Other than that one hiccup, our defense has been great.” Gladewater’s Callaway agrees. “I’m pretty impressed with their defense also,” Callaway stated. “They’re creating a lot of opportunities for their offense now.”
Linebackers Arsenial Richardson (111 tackles, 5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions) and Dominique Buchanan (72 tackles, 1 forced fumble) lead a Buckeyes’ defense that has forced 34 turnovers in nine games, while allowing only 132 yards rushing and 92 yards passing per game.
When Gilmer has the football
The Bears also mirror the Buckeyes’ defense with the 50 scheme, to take advantage of their team speed. Senior defensive end Dwight Johnson and sophomore linebacker Cardarian Lewis lead a Bears’ defense that has given up 34.2 points per game. A Buckeyes’ offense that averages 56 points and 528 total yards per game will be Gladewater’s toughest challenge of the season. “They’re a very talented football team across the board,” stated Callaway.
Traylor said that despite the point totals the Bears have given up; Gladewater’s defense is improving. “Edwin Harris, their middle linebacker, he’s a stud; he can play. (DE) Dwight Johnson; he can play. (LB) Cardarian Lewis; he can play. (FS) Devvyn Eddington; he can play. (CB) Carwin Cooper started for us in junior high, so I know he can play.”
Did you know?
Gladewater leads the all-time series 25-23-2. Gilmer won the first meeting 77-0 in 1929. From 1929 to 1971 the Bears led the series 9-8-1. From 1972 through 1990, Gladewater dominated the series 14-2-1. The Buckeyes have been the dominant team since 1991, leading the series 13-2. The two teams have met every year since 1980.
Despite leading all Class 3A teams in scoring with 505 points in nine games; the Buckeyes need 58 points against Gladewater just to break the team’s regular season scoring mark set in 1930. The 1930 team scored 562 points in their first 10 games, on their way to an 11-2 season record.
Directions to Jack V. Murphy Bear Stadium
Take U.S. Highway 271 South 14 miles to Gladewater. Turn right onto West Gay Avenue and go 1.5 miles. Stadium will be on the left.
Scout Team
Players of the Week
Offense: Kedon Franklin
Defense: Joseph Crocker
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
THE BLACK FLAG defense closes in on Spring Hill’s Max Garcia (25) as Zach Jones (13), Arsenial Richardson (44), David Smith (33) and Dunterius Goodman (2).
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