By JOE DODD
Mineola head coach Steve Wells knew that his Yellow Jackets had little hope to upset the 4th ranked Gilmer Buckeyes in their 2007 homecoming. “We felt like our only chance was to try to milk the clock and control the football,” Wells said. “You’ve got to take it out of the best offense in the state’s hands, and that’s what we tried to do the first half.”
For the most part they succeeded, as Mineola controlled the clock for almost 18 of 24 first half minutes, amassing 39 offensive plays to the Buckeyes’ 16.
“Mineola came out and did some things we weren’t really prepared for,” admitted Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor. “You’ve got to give their kids credit, they came out and had a good game plan and kept the ball away from us.”
But that’s not how it started, despite Mineola winning the coin toss and electing to receive the opening kickoff. After starting at their own 10-yard line, the Jackets fumbled on the third play and the Buckeyes’ David Smith recovered the loose football at the Mineola 23-yard line with just 54 seconds off the game clock.
Four plays later, facing a 4th-and-2 from the 15-yard line, Gilmer’s Darian Godfrey hit Houston Tuminello for a first down and more, as the senior receiver followed his blockers into the end zone for a touchdown with 9:38 to play in the first quarter. Adan Olivares kicked the first of six extra points for a 7-0 Gilmer lead.
Just as it appeared the Buckeyes were on their way to another fast start, the Jackets’ offense dug in and kept the Buckeyes offense on the bench. Mineola’s next possession only amounted to 16 yards in 5 plays, but it took 3:22 off the clock.
Following a 46-yard punt by the Jackets’ Saul Romero, Gilmer took over at their own 24-yard line. Despite a 30-yard pass from Godfrey to Hunter Harrison, the Buckeyes’ drive stalled at the Mineola 36-yard line, where the Buckeyes faced another 4th down. Needing 6 yards for a first down, Gilmer lined up in punt formation, but snapped the football to up-back Zach Jones, who came up 3 yards short on his run, turning the ball over to Mineola at the Jackets’ 33-yard line.
This time Mineola gained only 27 yards in 10 plays, but managed to eat up 7:03 of clock before punting.
The Buckeyes took over at their own 10-yard line and covered the 90 yards in 6 plays, with Godfrey connecting with Tuminello on a 41-yard pass before Devane Clark ran in for a touchdown from 24 yards out with 7:50 remaining in the half, giving Gilmer a 14-0 advantage.
“Their offensive line is awesome; you can’t get pressure on the quarterback,” Wells said. “We brought every kind of blitz known to man that you can bring in the first half, and we still couldn’t get to him.”
Mineola started their next possession at their own 34-yard line and held on to the football for another 6:11, picking up 32 yard in 12 plays, primarily by the running of senior Cory Jones who finished the game with 124 yards rushing on 31 carries.
The Buckeyes took over possession at their own 34-yard line following an incomplete pass by the Jackets on 4th down. Gilmer traveled down to Mineola’s 10-yard line before lining up for a 27-yard field goal attempt by Dustin Jones. The kick sailed wide with 24 seconds left in the half, leaving the Buckeyes with their smallest halftime lead of the season.
“I could tell that they were not pleased with their performance,” Traylor said, of his team at intermission. “They were pretty determined to come out in that third quarter and make a statement.”
And what a statement it was. After an ill-advised onside kick by the Jackets was recovered by Tuminello at the Buckeyes’ 46-yard line, senior Justin Johnson took the handoff and raced 54 yards for a touchdown just 11 seconds into the second half. The Buckeyes then converted the 2-point attempt on a pass from Braylon Webb to Ross Stevens for a 22-0 lead.
“We knew that we needed to score on that opening drive,” Traylor stated. “If we wouldn’t have scored and we had to punt to them, and if they would have had another time-consuming drive, then you’ve got a ball game.”
Tuminello was never concerned about that happening. “We knew that our offense was going to get the job done. Our defense stepped it up in the second half and made the stops that got us on the field more.”
The first stop that Gilmer’s Black Flag Defense made was when Clark intercepted one of only four Mineola passes three plays later, returning the ball to the Buckeyes’ offense at the Gilmer 40-yard line.
Five plays later, Godfrey rolled to his right and connected with a diving Paul Chesnut for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 8:25 to play in the third quarter, giving the Buckeyes a 29-0 lead.
“The dam just kind of burst the second half,” Wells lamented as his Jackets were held to a three-and-out on their next series before Gilmer traveled 75 yards in 7 plays on their next possession, finishing the drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Godfrey to Tuminello for a 36-0 lead with 3:51 remaining in the third quarter.
“I definitely look for the end zone a lot more than I used to,” said Tuminello, the senior transfer who had his first multiple touchdown game for the Buckeyes, after averaging 20 touchdowns and 94 receptions the previous two years. “I try to get into the end zone every time I get the ball because we’ve got tons of play makers on the field, so you’re going to have to split some touchdowns with other players.” Gilmer’s play makers took advantage of another 3-play series on Mineola’s next possession, taking over at their own 31-yard line following another Jackets’ punt. On the very next play, Johnson took the handoff and went 69 yards for his second touchdown of the night, pushing the Buckeyes’ lead to 43-0 with 57 seconds to play in the third quarter.
Johnson finished with 184 yards rushing on only 8 carries. Gilmer’s defense continued their second-half domination on the next Mineola series when Dustin Jones blitzed from his cornerback position, just in time for a Jackets’ fumble to roll on the ground in front of him. Jones said he had only one thing on his mind when he saw the football on the ground, “Scoop and score,” said the senior who just returned from an early-season injury. “I saw somebody behind me so I just fell on it.”
That fumble recovery was icing on the cake for Traylor, who saw Mineola’s average drive start at their own 22-yard line, thanks to Jones’ booming kickoffs. “I’m just glad for him,” Traylor said. “He’s worked so hard. I’m glad he’s back.” The Buckeyes failed to capitalize on Jones’ fumble recovery, but Johnson’s backup, Jeremy Jackson provided another hilite reel run on Gilmer’s next possession. Running to his right, the sophomore back broke a couple of tackles and was off to the races, scoring from 44 yards out with 5:51 to go in the game.
Gilmer’s defense finished the scoring on Mineola’s last series, forcing a fumble on the first play and watching the football roll out the back of the end zone for a safety and 52-0 lead with 5:36 to play.
The Buckeyes received the Mineola kick following the safety and drove the football down to the Jackets’ 1-yard line before lining up in victory formation to end the game with a kneel-down, however the snap was fumbled and Mineola recovered the ball and took a knee to end the game.
Traylor was realistic following the game. “We got it done, and that’s what important. But we have a lot to improve on; that was not a playoff effort.”
Mineola’s Wells had a different take on the game. “In my opinion they’ll probably win the division one state championship.”
Traylor replied to Wells’ comment with caution. “We know we’re not what people think we are; but we’re a good football team with a bunch of really great kids.”
Special Teams Player of the Week- Dustin Jones
Bounty Hunter of the Week - Vance Green
STATISTICS
Mineola Gilmer
9 First downs 19
1-4-0-1 Passing(c-a-td-int) 15-26-3-0
7 Passing yds 255
45-129 Rushes-yds 24-322
136 Total yds 577
29:55 Time of possession 18:05
4-19 Penalties-yds. 6-45
2 Fumbles lost 1
SCORE BY QUARTERS
1 2 3 4 T
Mineola 0 0 0 0 0
Gilmer 7 7 29 9 52
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
HOUSTON TUMINELLO scores another TD on a 23-yard reception from Darian Godfrey.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GILMER’S JUSTIN Johnson follows a block to gain first down yardage last Friday night during a 52-0 win over Mineola here last Friday night.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GILMER’S BLACK FLAG ‘D’ notched another shutout last Friday night at Buckeye Stadium with hot pursuit and gang-tackling on plays like this. The Buckeyes won, 52-0, over Mineola, to remain undefeated at 8-0 overall and 3-0 in District 15-3A play.
Mineola head coach Steve Wells knew that his Yellow Jackets had little hope to upset the 4th ranked Gilmer Buckeyes in their 2007 homecoming. “We felt like our only chance was to try to milk the clock and control the football,” Wells said. “You’ve got to take it out of the best offense in the state’s hands, and that’s what we tried to do the first half.”
For the most part they succeeded, as Mineola controlled the clock for almost 18 of 24 first half minutes, amassing 39 offensive plays to the Buckeyes’ 16.
“Mineola came out and did some things we weren’t really prepared for,” admitted Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor. “You’ve got to give their kids credit, they came out and had a good game plan and kept the ball away from us.”
But that’s not how it started, despite Mineola winning the coin toss and electing to receive the opening kickoff. After starting at their own 10-yard line, the Jackets fumbled on the third play and the Buckeyes’ David Smith recovered the loose football at the Mineola 23-yard line with just 54 seconds off the game clock.
Four plays later, facing a 4th-and-2 from the 15-yard line, Gilmer’s Darian Godfrey hit Houston Tuminello for a first down and more, as the senior receiver followed his blockers into the end zone for a touchdown with 9:38 to play in the first quarter. Adan Olivares kicked the first of six extra points for a 7-0 Gilmer lead.
Just as it appeared the Buckeyes were on their way to another fast start, the Jackets’ offense dug in and kept the Buckeyes offense on the bench. Mineola’s next possession only amounted to 16 yards in 5 plays, but it took 3:22 off the clock.
Following a 46-yard punt by the Jackets’ Saul Romero, Gilmer took over at their own 24-yard line. Despite a 30-yard pass from Godfrey to Hunter Harrison, the Buckeyes’ drive stalled at the Mineola 36-yard line, where the Buckeyes faced another 4th down. Needing 6 yards for a first down, Gilmer lined up in punt formation, but snapped the football to up-back Zach Jones, who came up 3 yards short on his run, turning the ball over to Mineola at the Jackets’ 33-yard line.
This time Mineola gained only 27 yards in 10 plays, but managed to eat up 7:03 of clock before punting.
The Buckeyes took over at their own 10-yard line and covered the 90 yards in 6 plays, with Godfrey connecting with Tuminello on a 41-yard pass before Devane Clark ran in for a touchdown from 24 yards out with 7:50 remaining in the half, giving Gilmer a 14-0 advantage.
“Their offensive line is awesome; you can’t get pressure on the quarterback,” Wells said. “We brought every kind of blitz known to man that you can bring in the first half, and we still couldn’t get to him.”
Mineola started their next possession at their own 34-yard line and held on to the football for another 6:11, picking up 32 yard in 12 plays, primarily by the running of senior Cory Jones who finished the game with 124 yards rushing on 31 carries.
The Buckeyes took over possession at their own 34-yard line following an incomplete pass by the Jackets on 4th down. Gilmer traveled down to Mineola’s 10-yard line before lining up for a 27-yard field goal attempt by Dustin Jones. The kick sailed wide with 24 seconds left in the half, leaving the Buckeyes with their smallest halftime lead of the season.
“I could tell that they were not pleased with their performance,” Traylor said, of his team at intermission. “They were pretty determined to come out in that third quarter and make a statement.”
And what a statement it was. After an ill-advised onside kick by the Jackets was recovered by Tuminello at the Buckeyes’ 46-yard line, senior Justin Johnson took the handoff and raced 54 yards for a touchdown just 11 seconds into the second half. The Buckeyes then converted the 2-point attempt on a pass from Braylon Webb to Ross Stevens for a 22-0 lead.
“We knew that we needed to score on that opening drive,” Traylor stated. “If we wouldn’t have scored and we had to punt to them, and if they would have had another time-consuming drive, then you’ve got a ball game.”
Tuminello was never concerned about that happening. “We knew that our offense was going to get the job done. Our defense stepped it up in the second half and made the stops that got us on the field more.”
The first stop that Gilmer’s Black Flag Defense made was when Clark intercepted one of only four Mineola passes three plays later, returning the ball to the Buckeyes’ offense at the Gilmer 40-yard line.
Five plays later, Godfrey rolled to his right and connected with a diving Paul Chesnut for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 8:25 to play in the third quarter, giving the Buckeyes a 29-0 lead.
“The dam just kind of burst the second half,” Wells lamented as his Jackets were held to a three-and-out on their next series before Gilmer traveled 75 yards in 7 plays on their next possession, finishing the drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Godfrey to Tuminello for a 36-0 lead with 3:51 remaining in the third quarter.
“I definitely look for the end zone a lot more than I used to,” said Tuminello, the senior transfer who had his first multiple touchdown game for the Buckeyes, after averaging 20 touchdowns and 94 receptions the previous two years. “I try to get into the end zone every time I get the ball because we’ve got tons of play makers on the field, so you’re going to have to split some touchdowns with other players.” Gilmer’s play makers took advantage of another 3-play series on Mineola’s next possession, taking over at their own 31-yard line following another Jackets’ punt. On the very next play, Johnson took the handoff and went 69 yards for his second touchdown of the night, pushing the Buckeyes’ lead to 43-0 with 57 seconds to play in the third quarter.
Johnson finished with 184 yards rushing on only 8 carries. Gilmer’s defense continued their second-half domination on the next Mineola series when Dustin Jones blitzed from his cornerback position, just in time for a Jackets’ fumble to roll on the ground in front of him. Jones said he had only one thing on his mind when he saw the football on the ground, “Scoop and score,” said the senior who just returned from an early-season injury. “I saw somebody behind me so I just fell on it.”
That fumble recovery was icing on the cake for Traylor, who saw Mineola’s average drive start at their own 22-yard line, thanks to Jones’ booming kickoffs. “I’m just glad for him,” Traylor said. “He’s worked so hard. I’m glad he’s back.” The Buckeyes failed to capitalize on Jones’ fumble recovery, but Johnson’s backup, Jeremy Jackson provided another hilite reel run on Gilmer’s next possession. Running to his right, the sophomore back broke a couple of tackles and was off to the races, scoring from 44 yards out with 5:51 to go in the game.
Gilmer’s defense finished the scoring on Mineola’s last series, forcing a fumble on the first play and watching the football roll out the back of the end zone for a safety and 52-0 lead with 5:36 to play.
The Buckeyes received the Mineola kick following the safety and drove the football down to the Jackets’ 1-yard line before lining up in victory formation to end the game with a kneel-down, however the snap was fumbled and Mineola recovered the ball and took a knee to end the game.
Traylor was realistic following the game. “We got it done, and that’s what important. But we have a lot to improve on; that was not a playoff effort.”
Mineola’s Wells had a different take on the game. “In my opinion they’ll probably win the division one state championship.”
Traylor replied to Wells’ comment with caution. “We know we’re not what people think we are; but we’re a good football team with a bunch of really great kids.”
Special Teams Player of the Week- Dustin Jones
Bounty Hunter of the Week - Vance Green
STATISTICS
Mineola Gilmer
9 First downs 19
1-4-0-1 Passing(c-a-td-int) 15-26-3-0
7 Passing yds 255
45-129 Rushes-yds 24-322
136 Total yds 577
29:55 Time of possession 18:05
4-19 Penalties-yds. 6-45
2 Fumbles lost 1
SCORE BY QUARTERS
1 2 3 4 T
Mineola 0 0 0 0 0
Gilmer 7 7 29 9 52
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
HOUSTON TUMINELLO scores another TD on a 23-yard reception from Darian Godfrey.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GILMER’S JUSTIN Johnson follows a block to gain first down yardage last Friday night during a 52-0 win over Mineola here last Friday night.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GILMER’S BLACK FLAG ‘D’ notched another shutout last Friday night at Buckeye Stadium with hot pursuit and gang-tackling on plays like this. The Buckeyes won, 52-0, over Mineola, to remain undefeated at 8-0 overall and 3-0 in District 15-3A play.
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