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Traylor expects good season

By CHERIE HOBBS

GILMER ROTARY CLUB recently heard about prospects for the coming football season from Gilmer High School Coach Jeff Traylor and some of the 2007 Buckeyes. From left are Justin Johnson, David Snow, Coach Traylor, Lamar Harris and Brennan Thompson.

“Building character in young men and women is what Gilmer Buckeye Athletics is all about.”—Coach Jeff Traylor

Jeff Traylor, Gilmer High School athletic director and head football coach, recently spoke to the Gilmer Rotary Club for the eighth consecutive year, promising to do his best. The Buckeyes’ first scrimmage was scheduled for last Saturday morning against Chapel Hill, but due to the fatal car accident of one of their players, it was cancelled.

The Buckeyes were able to schedule a replacement scrimmage against Kilgore.

Their final scrimmage is tomorrow evening (Aug. 23) beginning at 6 p.m. in New Boston. The season opens here at home on Aug. 31 against Richwood (La.). Kickoff at Buckeye Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.

Coach Traylor explained “The Dash,” the team’s motto this year. He began with a little history about the man who inspired it:

George Metzel, Coach Alan Metzel’s father, worked with the students, coaches, and players, volunteering his time, talents, and energy to doing everything he could to help the team. Rev. Metzel did everything from praying with the team to mowing the lawn in the field. He was an inspiration and a constant reminder of the love of Jesus Christ working through one man.

George Metzel passed away this year in March, so his tombstone reads 1940 to 2007; he was born in 1940 and died in 2007.

This does not tell anything about the sacrifices of this wonderful man. The dash in the middle is what he accomplished. The importance in our life is our contribution between our birth and death, or the dash between birth and death. We are all born and we will all die but the dash in the middle defines who we are.

Traylor went on to explain that last year Gilmer was disappointed with the outcome of the Liberty-Eylau game (a 39-36 bi-district loss to the Leopards, who went on to win the Class 3A, Division I state championship), but the Buckeyes may be able to redeem themselves, because the two teams will very likely meet again on the field on Nov. 16 in a Class 3A, Division I bi-district game. By one poll, Gilmer is currently ranked 7th in the state, while Liberty-Eylau is ranked 2nd.

It has been said that Gilmer will be lucky to win three state championships in 20 years. In other words, the Buckeyes will not win state 17 times. People cannot expect Gilmer to win 20 times in a row, but under the coaching of Coach Jeff Traylor, Gilmer can look forward to some exciting football games this fall.

According to sources, Gilmer’s greatest strength is the offensive line. The greatest weakness, however, is the defense due in part to 10 starters graduating last year. Coach Traylor and Charles Turner gave an update on Josh Nelson’s condition, saying that although he is out of ICU now, he is very weak and will expect the bone marrow test results in two weeks.

Josh is on several prayer lists around town, including the one for the Gilmer Rotary Club. With Josh’s friends heading off to college, the young man has been depressed. Encouraging letters can be e-mailed to Josh at: ChildrensHospital.com. Last year, the Gilmer Buckeyes won six consecutive district games and were 10-0 overall in the regular season. Coach Traylor says, “We may not win state this year, but the kids will do the best they can.” He expresses confidence in his team, saying, “We are good enough to win state this year.” The competition to make the team will be tough, as there are 150-plus players this year, with 56 kids in the varsity picture.

Gilmer has good coaches and assistant coaches. The kids have good relationships with the coaches and want to please them. Coach Traylor deals with the kids daily, saying, “They are just boys in big bodies.” He makes sure they know there are consequences for the things they do. They are held accountable.

As for this year’s players, three seniors received full scholarships, and one is still being recruited. The Gilmer mentor says that every senior has a year video on them, ready to play when they get to college. Most kids played from junior high school all the way to high school, and have not lost many games.

Starters on the team attending the Rotary Club Meeting included: Justin Johnson, #22, middle linebacker and running back, receiving a full scholarship to Oklahoma University; Lamar Harris, #2, receiver and safety, attending Texas A&M University with a full scholarship; David Snow, #76, offensive line and nose guard, recruited by University of Texas; and Brennan Thompson, #12, outside linebacker and wide receiver, planning to attend North Texas or Louisiana-Monroe. Daniel Jenkins was not at the meeting but will be receiving a full scholarship to the University of Missouri. Each player was allowed to give an opinion on their views of the team this year.

David Snow said “Pride is our strength this year.”

According to Lamar Harris, “Character is the strength of the team — we won’t give up.”

Justin Johnson mentioned that the team’s strength can be explained by the Buckeyes having eight senior captains. “This is the first time this has happened in three years.”

Brennan Thompson mentioned how well the team works together: “All the classes get along and all 28 kids attend practice every single day.”


Courtesy Photo
GILMER ROTARY CLUB recently heard about prospects for the coming football season from Gilmer High School Coach Jeff Traylor and some of the 2007 Buckeyes. From left are Justin Johnson, David Snow, Coach Traylor, Lamar Harris and Brennan Thompson.

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