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LIVE BLOG OF GILMER/NAVASOTA GAME SATURDAY
Directions to Abe Martin Stadium

By JOE DODD

The undefeated and top-ranked Gilmer Buckeyes face their biggest test of the season Saturday when they meet the Navasota Rattlers at Abe Martin Stadium in Lufkin. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Not only are the Rattlers (9-2) “The best team we’ve faced this year,” according to Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor, but Navasota features an offensive line that averages over 293 pounds per man.

“Their offensive line is huge,” said Traylor about the Rattlers’ line that is led by left tackle Aeon Calhoun at 6-6, 340 pounds and right guard Jarvis Harrison at 6-4, 311 pounds. Both Calhoun and Harrison are being recruited by Division One programs.

Navasota’s front five is not only huge, but experienced; starting together for the past three seasons. Not surprisingly, this is the Rattlers’ third straight quarterfinals appearance. “Anytime you get to this round, you know you’re going to play some of the best,” said Navasota head coach Lee Fedora. “In 2007, we played the number-one team in the state in Liberty Hill, and then last year in the quarterfinals we played La Vega and got beat in overtime.”

This is also the third straight trip to the quarterfinals for Gilmer. In 2007 the Buckeyes beat Dallas Roosevelt in the third round, before losing to Liberty Hill in the finals. Last year, Gilmer lost in the quarterfinals to eventual state champion Carthage.

“We’ve never played a bad team this deep in the playoffs,” said Traylor, who has the Buckeyes playing on Thanksgiving weekend for the fifth time in the past seven seasons. “That’s a goal of every football program in the state of Texas; to make it to Thanksgiving, because there are so few teams left,” Traylor said. “It’s a fun time; football, family, and food.”

If Traylor and the Buckeyes hope to advance to the semifinals, they will have to find a way to get around Navasota’s huge offensive line and stop Rattlers’ quarterback Kye Hildreth.

“It all starts with their quarterback; he’s the real deal,” said Traylor about Hildreth, who passed for 221 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 106 yards and another touchdown in his debut at quarterback in the Rattlers’ season opener.

Fedora admits that the senior quarterback drives his team. “Kye lined up and kicked a 45-yard field goal in practice. One of my kids turned around and asked me if there was anything that Kye can’t do, and I said no. I think he’s getting his CDL license this week and he may drive the bus to the game.”

Unless Hildreth misses an exit on the trip to Lufkin, the Buckeyes will have to figure out a way to stop the dual-threat quarterback, who comes into the game against the Buckeyes with 1,521 yards and 16 touchdowns passing and 1,154 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing in the Rattlers’ spread offense.

But Traylor warns that even if Gilmer’s Black Flag Defense can contain Hildreth, the Rattlers have an abundance of playmakers on an offense that averages 30 points and 384 yards per game.

“Aaron Collins, Antoin Burrell, Kesnick Jones and Tevin Creeks can all score in one play. That’s scary,” said Traylor. Burrell and Jones have combined for 1,387 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns, while Creeks and Collins have teamed up for 971 yards and 11 touchdowns on 51 receptions.

“They really have some great players on offense,” said Traylor, who expects the Rattlers to stick with their spread offense. “They’re good at it, and they’ve been good at it for the last two years, so I would be surprised if we see much change,” Traylor said.
Fedora confirmed the Rattlers’ plan. “If you’re changing everything, I think you’re telling your kids that what we’ve been doing the last 12 weeks isn’t good enough to win it all,” said Fedora. “We believe if you execute your game plan you’ll have a chance to win the ball game. We’re not changing our stuff up. Sure we’ll add a few wrinkles, but it’s not like we’re going to come out with a whole new offense and a whole new defense. We believe in what we do.”

“I think a lot of teams go into a game against Gilmer just trying to find a way not to lose too badly,” Fedora continued. “We’re approaching it as another ball game. We believe in what we do, and we believe that we’re a good football team also. That’s why you play, because anything can happen.”

Despite the impressive offensive numbers for Navasota, Gilmer’s offensive production dwarfs that of the Rattlers. The Buckeyes come into the game averaging over 470 yards and a state-best 54.6 points per game behind the play of quarterback Stump Godfrey.

“What’s impressed me about Godfrey is you can tell that he’s a leader,” said the Rattlers’ Fedora. “He just wants to win ball games, and whatever it takes to win a game, he’s going to be a part of that.”

Godfrey has thrown for 2,940 yards and 35 touchdowns this season and rushed for 440 yards and 14 touchdowns in leading the Buckeyes to the third most points in school history.

With all of the talk about offense, the fact that both Gilmer and Navasota have two of the best defenses in the state goes unnoticed. “Both defenses are outstanding,” said Fedora. “When people talk about how two high-powered offenses are going to explode, I think a lot of times it takes away from how good the defenses are. When you look at the scores that Gilmer’s had; yes they put up a lot of points, but their defense has been phenomenal.”

Gilmer’s defense has allowed an average of 74 yards passing, 128 yards rushing, and 15 points per game. Navasota’s defensive numbers are amazingly similar. The Rattlers allow an average of 86 yards passing, 159 yards passing, and 13.6 points per game.

Navasota’s Fedora said that he would be okay with a defensive battle. “I don’t care if we have 10 yards of total offense, if we have one point more on the scoreboard than the other team; in the playoffs that’s all that matters,” said Fedora.

One point more is all that the Rattlers managed in last week’s 35-34 win against Silsbee. “I was real proud of our kids; they overcame adversity,” said Fedora. “We had a chance to put them away and go up by two touchdowns, but we turned the ball over and the next thing you know, their quarterback breaks one for 76 yards. But then we had a great surge and forced their kicker to miss the extra point. Then we were able to run 6 minutes off the clock to end the game.”

Fedora credits the Rattlers’ first round bye as a key factor in the win. “This year it really worked out well for us,” admitted Fedora. “Our last regular season game against Madisonville we had five starters out due to injury and that week really helped us get our guys back. Now we’re back to about one hundred percent healthy.”

Traylor knows how important an off week can be late in the season. During the Buckeyes state championship run in 2004, Gilmer enjoyed a week off between their final regular season game and round one of the playoffs. “It gives them an advantage because their healthier,” said Traylor. “I’d give anything to have had a week off before the playoffs; we’d be a totally different team if we had had a bye.”

Despite being bruised and battered, the Buckeyes know that another state championship could be around the corner. “We’re getting close. There are just eight of us left,” said Traylor.

Fedora was quick to point out that the Rattlers expectations are the same as the Buckeyes. “I feel very confident in our kids and our program and what we do,” Fedora said. “Hopefully what we do is going to be good enough. That’s why we’re excited to play this game.”


Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
COACH JEFF TRAYLOR holds up the gold ball signifying the Buckeyes have made it to the quarterfinal round again after their 44-16 win over Waco La Vega last Saturday afternoon in Mesquite. The Buckeyes play Navasota at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Lufkin for the Region III title in UIL Class 3A Division I.



From the Longview News-Journal:

Buckeyes at a glance

From The Eagle (Bryan-College Station):

Caldwell, Navasota get tests this week

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Navasota Rattlers 2009 Season Results

Date Opponent Result

08/27/09 Henderson @ Lufkin won: 47-0
09/04/09 @ Palestine won: 28-20
09/11/09 @ Hearne won: 27-0
09/18/09 @ Bellville won: 24-14
09/25/09 Bryan Rudder* won: 41-14
10/09/09 @ Caldwell* lost: 0-14
10/16/09 Rockdale* won: 41-13
10/23/09 @ Taylor* won: 44-0
10/30/09 Cameron Yoe* lost: 22-24
11/06/09 @ Madisonville* won: 21-16
11/13/09 BYE
11/20/09 Silsbee @ The Woodlands won: 35-34

Overall Record: 9-2

Total Points For: 330 Average Points For Per Game: 30
Total Points Against: 149
Average Points Against Per Game: 13.5

Historical Stats, Records, and Program Information

Navasota
YEAR W-L-T COACH

2000 1-9-0 Robert Perkins
2001 0-10-0 Robert Perkins
2002 5-6-0 Dan Burk
2003 8-3-0 Dan Burk
2004 9-2-0 Dan Burk
2005 3-7-0 Lee Fedora
2006 3-7-0 Lee Fedora
2007 9-4-0 Lee Fedora
2008 10-1-0 Lee Fedora
2009 9-2-0 Lee Fedora

BY DECADES W-L-T
1909-19 12-12-1 1920-29 14-35-5
1930-39 64-39-4
1940-49 60-37-3
1950-59 40-60-3
1960-69 31-68-1
1970-79 55-48-0
1980-89 88-34-1
1990-99 63-46-2
2000-09 57-51-0
TOTAL: 484-430-20

Overall Record: 484-430-20 Undefeated Seasons: 0 Winless Seasons: 2 (1957, 2001) Last District Championship: 2008 Last Playoff Appearance: 2008 All-Time Playoff Appearances: 27 All-Time Playoff Record: 27-26-0


STREAKS

Gilmer has a 12 game winning streak (last loss: 31-28 Carthage, 2008)

Gilmer has a 105 consecutive games scoring streak (last shutout: 10-0 @ Longview to Pleasant Grove, 2001)

NOTES

Jeff Traylor is 109-17 at Gilmer

Gilmer’s Jeff Traylor’s 86% winning percentage is the 3rd best among all active coaches in Texas

Gilmer is 19-7 under Jeff Traylor in playoff games

Gilmer is 1 of 4 teams in class 3A that remain undefeated this season

Gilmer has won more games than any other 3A team in the state since 2000

Gilmer’s 655 points scored is the 3rd best in school history 701 2007 15 games

665 2004 16 games

655 2009 12 games

Gilmer has scored 70 or more points in 3 games this season. The school record is 4 games by the 1929 and 1930 Buckeyes

Gilmer needs 47 points to break the school record of 701 points scored in 2007

Gilmer has scored 47 or more points in the first half 4 times this season

Gilmer’s 655 points is the most points scored in all classifications.

Gilmer’s 54.6 ppg average is the best in all classifications

Gilmer’s 39.6 average margin of victory is best in class 3A and 3rd best in all classifications

Gilmer has allowed an average of 15 points per game which is the 15th best in class 3A.

Navasota has allowed an average of 13.55 points per game which is the 10th best in class 3A.

Gilmer's 607 offensive plays consist of 291 passing attempts (47.9%) and 316 rushing attempts (52.1%)

Gilmer averages 254.6 yards per game passing (54.1%) and 215.6 yards per game rushing (45.9%) for a total of 470.2 yards per game

Gilmer has receiving touchdowns by 11 different players

Gilmer has rushing touchdowns by 11 different players

Gilmer is 38-3 with Stump Godfrey as starting quarterback

Gilmer’s Stump Godfrey needs 60 passing yards to give him 3,000 for the season

Gilmer quarterback Stump Godfrey has 10,839 total yards for his career

Gilmer's Stump Godfrey’s 109 career touchdown passes ranks as 2nd best all time in Class 3A and is the 6th best in all classifications. (source: Joe Lee Smith)

TOUCHDOWN PASSES – CAREER --- Class 3A

132 – G.J. KINNE, Canton, 2003-05; Gilmer 2006
109 - DARIAN GODFREY, Gilmer, 2007-Current

TOUCHDOWN PASSES – CAREER --ll Classes

167 – GRAHAM HARRELL, Ennis, 2000-03 (4A)
137 – GARRETT GILBERT, Lake Travis, 2006-08
132 – G.J. KINNE, Canton, 2003-05; Gilmer 2006
116 – COLT McCOY, Jim Ned, 2002-04 (2A)
114 – DREW TATE, Baytown Lee, 1999-02 (5A) 109- DARIAN GODFREY, Gilmer, 2007-Current

Gilmer's Stump Godfrey’s 8,751 career passing yards ranks as 4th best all time in Class 3A and 13th best all time in all classifications (source: Joe Lee Smith)

CAREER PASSING YARDS --- ALL-TIME

12,534 – GARRETT GILBERT, Lake Travis, 2006-08
12,532 – GRAHAM HARRELL, Ennis, 2000-03
12,183 -- DREW TATE, Baytown Lee, 1999-02
11,762 -- G.J. KINNE, Canton, 2003-05; Gilmer, 2006
10,136 -- PHILLIP DAUGHERTY, Bridgeport, 2000-02
10,046 -- CHANDLER DANE, Decatur, 2002-04
9,469 – TYRIK ROLLISON, Sulphur Springs, 2006-08
9,344 -- COLT McCOY, Jim Ned, 2002-04
9,042 – JACOB VILLANUEVA, Roscoe, 2005-08
9,009 -- KELLEN HAYNES, FW Brewer, 2000-01; Crosby, ‘02-03
8,958 -- MATTHEW STAFFORD, Highland Park, 2003-05
8,859 – JERRY LOPEZ, Laredo Alexander, 2006-08

8,751- DARIAN GODFREY, Gilmer, 2007-Current

Gilmer quarterback Stump Godfrey needs 249 passing yards to give him 9,000 for his career

Gilmer’s Stump Godfrey’s 47 career rushing touchdowns is the most in school history

Gilmer’s Tristan Holt has scored 20 touchdowns this season including 11 receiving, 3 rushing, 5 on punt returns, and 1 kickoff return for 1,507 all-purpose yards. Holt has 58 all-purpose touches on the season

Gilmer’s Tristan Holt needs 96 receiving yards to give him 1,000 for his career

2009 Gilmer Buckeyes Offense

Statistical Leaders-Thru 12 Games


PASSING

Darian Godfrey 199 of 272 for 2,940 yards, 35 TD’S, 5 INT’S

Luke Turner 4 of 12 for 47 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Jordan Traylor 3 of 5 for 45 yards, 2 TD’S

TEAM TOTALS 207 of 291 for 3,055 yards, 39 TD’S, 6 INT’S
RECEIVING

Luke Turner 33 rec, 369 yards, 6 TD’S

Tristan Holt 29 rec, 721 yards, 11 TD’S

Tevin Godfrey 26 rec, 492 yards, 4 TD’S

Braylon Webb 24 rec, 269 yards, 4 TD’S

Ben Griffith 15 rec, 249 yards, 2 TD’S

TEAM TOTALS 207 rec, 3,055 yards, 39 TD’S
RUSHING

Darian Godfrey 93 carries, 440 yards, 14 TD’S

Vance Green 53 carries, 693 yards, 6 TD’S

Jeremy Jackson 43 carries, 318 yards, 1 TD

Marlon Granville 42 carries, 317 yards, 3 TD'S

Gus Osborne 37 carries, 381 yards, 9 TD’S

TEAM TOTALS 316 carries, 2,587 yards, 42 TD’S
SUMMARY

First Downs 231

Passing 3,055 yards

Rushing 2,587 yards

TOTAL OFFENSE 5,642 YARDS


Gilmer Buckeyes Black Flag Defense Season Statistics

Rushing Allowed: 1,536 yards

Passing Allowed: 885 yards

Total Allowed: 2,421 yards

Rushing Per Game: 128.0 yards

Passing Per Game: 73.8 yards

Total Per Game: 201.8 yards

Points Allowed: 173

Points Per Game: 14.4

Recovered Fumbles: 12

Interceptions: 12

Forced Turnovers: 24

Team Leaders

Tackles

Mikey Wilson 135

Luis Castro 94

Chris Miller 93

Braylon Webb 91

Paul Chesnut 64

Forced Fumbles

Braylon Webb 3

Eric Miller 2

Recovered Fumbles

Eric Miller 3

Luis Castro 2

Interceptions

Paul Chesnut 2

Ben Griffith 2

Harvey Horton 2

Sacks

Chris Miller 5

Luis Castro 4

Ty Barr 4

J.T. Beecham 2

Eric Miller 2

Comments

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