By JOE DODD
Following Gilmer's 5-touchdown victory over Atlanta in the Buckeyes' first scrimmage last week, Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor admitted that the score was misleading. “I was a little disappointed. We were sloppier than I thought we were going to be,” Traylor said at the time.
So what did Traylor think of Thursday's (August 21) 6-touchdown victory over the New Boston Lions at Buckeye Stadium? “Last week the score was not an indication of how we played. This week was a true indication of how well we played."
Gilmer's offense piled up 467 total yards on 63 plays, suffering only one turnover while scoring six touchdowns. The Buckeyes' defense held the Lions to 279 total yards on 75 plays, while forcing three turnovers.
And while Gilmer's defense did not surrender a touchdown in either scrimmage; Traylor praised the unit's improvement from last week. “I thought we were much more physical. I thought we ran to the ball a lot better.”
Gilmer's defense was on display at the beginning of the controlled portion of the scrimmage, limiting New Boston to only 66 yards on their first 21 plays. The Buckeyes' Zach Jones forced the first Lion's turnover when he intercepted a pass on the seventh play and would have had an easy touchdown return had it not been for the controlled possession, which gave the ball back to New Boston.
Gilmer's offense started the scrimmage with an impressive 10-play scoring drive that covered 70 yards, and ended on a 1-yard touchdown run from Vance Green.
The Buckeyes' second drive was more customary for Gilmer fans, covering 70 yards in only 3 plays as quarterback Stump Godfrey hit Prentiss Bell for the second touchdown.
After the Lions’ second series of plays yielded only 67 yards on 23 plays, Gilmer's offense punched in two more scores on a 3-yard run by Marlon Granville and an 11-yard pass from Luke Turner to Bell to close out the controlled portion of the scrimmage.
The two teams then played two quarters of game situation football, with New Boston getting the ball first. After gaining only 16 yards on five plays, the Buckeyes took possession on the Lions' 46-yard line when a New Boston pass fell incomplete on fourth down.
Gilmer scored five plays later on a Jeremy Jackson 1-yard run to make the score 7-0 after Adan Olivares' extra point kick was good.
The Buckeyes' defense forced a quick three-and-out on the Lions' next series, giving the football back to the offense at the New Boston 47-yard line following the Lions' 11-yard punt.
Gilmer moved quickly down the field, only to have the drive stopped at the 6-yard line when New Boston intercepted a tipped ball.
The Buckeyes' D.J. Stanley returned the favor 5 plays later intercepting a Lions' pass at his own 35-yard line and returning it to the New Boston 28-yard line.
Seven plays later, Godfrey found receiver Daniel McClaren in the corner of the end zone with a 3-yard touchdown pass. Olivares' kick made the score 14-0 with 55 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The final quarter started with the Buckeyes' Turner recovering a Lions' fumble at the New Boston 44-yard line, but the Gilmer offense sputtered on what turned out to be their final possession, punting to the Lions four plays later.
Despite the final series' stall, Traylor thought his offense played much better this week. “We were much crisper. We executed so much better. That was good to see.” But will it be enough to win the season opener at the fifth annual Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic at Tyler's Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium? “The kids responded well,” replied Traylor. “But they're going to have their work cut out for them next week because Jasper is a lot better than Atlanta or New Boston.”
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GILMER’S VANCE GREEN charges through the gaping hole in the New Boston defense. Usually a defensive stalwart, Green got a chance to practice short-yardage rushing during Thursday’s scrimmage with the Lions.The Buckeyes open their season Thursday, Aug. 28, against Jasper at the Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic in Tyler.
Following Gilmer's 5-touchdown victory over Atlanta in the Buckeyes' first scrimmage last week, Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor admitted that the score was misleading. “I was a little disappointed. We were sloppier than I thought we were going to be,” Traylor said at the time.
So what did Traylor think of Thursday's (August 21) 6-touchdown victory over the New Boston Lions at Buckeye Stadium? “Last week the score was not an indication of how we played. This week was a true indication of how well we played."
Gilmer's offense piled up 467 total yards on 63 plays, suffering only one turnover while scoring six touchdowns. The Buckeyes' defense held the Lions to 279 total yards on 75 plays, while forcing three turnovers.
And while Gilmer's defense did not surrender a touchdown in either scrimmage; Traylor praised the unit's improvement from last week. “I thought we were much more physical. I thought we ran to the ball a lot better.”
Gilmer's defense was on display at the beginning of the controlled portion of the scrimmage, limiting New Boston to only 66 yards on their first 21 plays. The Buckeyes' Zach Jones forced the first Lion's turnover when he intercepted a pass on the seventh play and would have had an easy touchdown return had it not been for the controlled possession, which gave the ball back to New Boston.
Gilmer's offense started the scrimmage with an impressive 10-play scoring drive that covered 70 yards, and ended on a 1-yard touchdown run from Vance Green.
The Buckeyes' second drive was more customary for Gilmer fans, covering 70 yards in only 3 plays as quarterback Stump Godfrey hit Prentiss Bell for the second touchdown.
After the Lions’ second series of plays yielded only 67 yards on 23 plays, Gilmer's offense punched in two more scores on a 3-yard run by Marlon Granville and an 11-yard pass from Luke Turner to Bell to close out the controlled portion of the scrimmage.
The two teams then played two quarters of game situation football, with New Boston getting the ball first. After gaining only 16 yards on five plays, the Buckeyes took possession on the Lions' 46-yard line when a New Boston pass fell incomplete on fourth down.
Gilmer scored five plays later on a Jeremy Jackson 1-yard run to make the score 7-0 after Adan Olivares' extra point kick was good.
The Buckeyes' defense forced a quick three-and-out on the Lions' next series, giving the football back to the offense at the New Boston 47-yard line following the Lions' 11-yard punt.
Gilmer moved quickly down the field, only to have the drive stopped at the 6-yard line when New Boston intercepted a tipped ball.
The Buckeyes' D.J. Stanley returned the favor 5 plays later intercepting a Lions' pass at his own 35-yard line and returning it to the New Boston 28-yard line.
Seven plays later, Godfrey found receiver Daniel McClaren in the corner of the end zone with a 3-yard touchdown pass. Olivares' kick made the score 14-0 with 55 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The final quarter started with the Buckeyes' Turner recovering a Lions' fumble at the New Boston 44-yard line, but the Gilmer offense sputtered on what turned out to be their final possession, punting to the Lions four plays later.
Despite the final series' stall, Traylor thought his offense played much better this week. “We were much crisper. We executed so much better. That was good to see.” But will it be enough to win the season opener at the fifth annual Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic at Tyler's Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium? “The kids responded well,” replied Traylor. “But they're going to have their work cut out for them next week because Jasper is a lot better than Atlanta or New Boston.”
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GILMER’S VANCE GREEN charges through the gaping hole in the New Boston defense. Usually a defensive stalwart, Green got a chance to practice short-yardage rushing during Thursday’s scrimmage with the Lions.The Buckeyes open their season Thursday, Aug. 28, against Jasper at the Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic in Tyler.
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