Gilmer Buckeyes

By JOE DODD

The 53rd meeting between the Gilmer Buckeyes and the Gladewater Bears promises to be a Halloween treat this Friday night at Buckeye Stadium in Gilmer.

“It doesn't get any better than Gilmer-Gladewater on Halloween for a district championship,” said Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor, who expects a strange night this Friday. “I've never played on a Halloween where it wasn't wild and crazy. I don't know if it's because the kids are hyped up on sugar from all the candy; I don't know. It just seems like every Halloween has been a wild night.”

The Buckeyes can clinch a share of their 8th consecutive district title with a win over the Bears, while Gladewater's hope for their first out-right district championship since 1990 is still alive. “They know that they control their own destiny,” said Traylor. “They know if they win out, they win a district championship.”

The Buckeyes' motivation to win should be as full as a first time trick-or-treater's candy…

From the Longview News-Journal:

Buckeyes rough up Panthers, 55-7

From the Tyler Morning Telegraph:

Gilmer Downs Spring Hill

From The Gilmer Mirror:

Buckeyes keep winning streaks alive with win over Spring Hill

By JOE DODD

The Gilmer Buckeyes took advantage of four Spring Hill turnovers to overcome a mistake-filled effort for a 55-7 victory over the Panthers Friday night at Buckeye Stadium. The win extended Gilmer's district winning streak to 37 games and their home winning streak to 29 games.

“We did what we had to do; we kind of just got through it,” lamented Buckeyes' head coach Jeff Traylor, who saw his Buckeyes flagged for a season-high 11 penalties. “So many of the things were before the ball was even snapped; that's what is so frustrating.”

Spring Hill head coach Robert Bero was even more frustrated as his Panthers racked up nine penalties of their own and added four turnovers. “Turnovers were bad for us and they took advantage of it,” said Bero. “They're a good football …

By JOE DODD

For a team favored to win by 45 points, one would think the Gilmer Buckeyes would have trouble finding motivation when they take the field Friday night against the 2-5 Spring Hill Panthers at Buckeye Stadium.
Not according to Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor, who explained that the possibility of the Buckeyes' 36-game district winning streak and 28-game home winning streak coming to an end is all the motivation his team needs.
“That would be a terrible thing. You could lose everything in one night,” cautioned Traylor about the district streak that dates back to 2000 and the home streak that goes back to 2002.

“The district winning streak is the one that really matters. That is the only one that has a continuation of the entire program,” explained Traylor. “We talk about it all the time; that pressure is a privilege. It's a good thing to have pressure.”
Pressure is something the Buckeyes have grown accustomed to since Traylor took over the program in 2000, guiding the team…

From the Longview News-Journal:

Buckeyes start early, rough up Chapel Hill, 35-6

From the Tyler Morning Telegraph:

Buckeyes Blitz Bulldogs With Fast Start

From The Gilmer Mirror

Buckeyes hand Chapel Hill first loss of season

By JOE DODD

The Gilmer Buckeyes jumped out to a stunning 22-point lead in the first quarter and limited Chapel Hill running back Matthew Tucker to only 155 yards rushing to crush the upstart Bulldogs 35-6 in a showdown of District 17-3A heavyweights Friday night at Chapel Hill.
“They play at a level that is different from anything we've seen,” admitted Chapel Hill head coach Phil Castles, who had led his Bulldogs to a perfect 5-0 record and No. 9 ranking in last week's Associated Press poll before becoming Gilmer's 36th consecutive victim in district play.

The Buckeyes received the opening kickoff and set the tone for the game with a 10-play, 67-yard drive capped by Stump Godfrey's 5-yard quarterback keeper up the middle for a touchdown with 8:44 to play in…

By JOE DODD

The 6th-ranked Gilmer Buckeyes (5-1, 1-0) put their seven consecutive undefeated district championships and 35-game district winning streak on the line Friday night when they travel to Chapel Hill to face the 9th-ranked Bulldogs (5-0, 1-0) in a matchup that should decide the District 17-3A championship.

“Best game in East Texas; might be the best game in the state,” proclaimed Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor, who prepared for the big game atmosphere last Saturday by attending the annual Red River Rivalry where he enjoyed watching five of his former players take the field in either Texas burnt orange or Oklahoma crimson.

“It's Texas-OU. It's not the championship, but it should be,” explained Traylor. “You're not going to win the championship Friday night, but it's going to put you in a position to win the championship. Texas did not win the Big 12 Saturday; it just put them in the position to, and Oklahoma is now counting on somebody else. It's the exact sam…

From the Longview News-Journal:

Buckeyes coast to 48-12 victory

From the Tyler Morning Telegraph:

Gilmer Delivers For Head Coach

From the Bullard Banner News:

Sixth-ranked Buckeyes claim 90th career win for Coach Jeff Traylor

From The Gilmer Mirror:

Traylor sets school record with win over Bullard

By JOE DODD

Gilmer Buckeyes' head coach Jeff Traylor became the school's all-time career wins leader with his 90th victory Friday night as the Buckeyes rolled over the Bullard Panthers 48-12. The victory was Gilmer's 35th consecutive district win and 28th straight win at home.

Despite the game being decided by halftime, Traylor had to wait a while to celebrate the accomplishment, as the game was delayed on two occasions. The first delay was the result of game officials debating a penalty, while the second was for an injured Bullard player. In all, the two incidents delayed the game by almost 45 minutes.

“One of the strangest, weirdest games I've ever coached in,” said Traylor. “Ironical…

By JOE DODD

It's been said that football is a numbers game. When the Gilmer Buckeyes start District 17-3A play Friday night against the Bullard Panthers (2-3) at Buckeye Stadium, these numbers will play an important role:

1-That's the number of wins that Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor needs to surpass Henry McClelland as the Buckeyes' all-time leader.
7-That's the number of consecutive undefeated district championships the Buckeyes have won.
27-That's the number of consecutive games the Buckeyes have won at home since their last loss in 2002.
34-That's the number of consecutive district games the Buckeyes have won since their last loss in 2000.
50-That's the number of points the Buckeyes are favored over the Panthers according to one website.

Traylor doesn't care about the number 50. In fact, when informed of the prediction Traylor replied, “I'd take the spread on that one.” While Traylor doesn't worry about the margin of victory, the numbers 7, 27 and…