Buckeyes begin title run
By JOE DODD
When the UIL’s bi-annual realignment was announced in February, both Gilmer and Liberty-Eylau knew that a trip to the football playoffs would mean a first round match-up between the two teams, since both schools shared the distinction of having the largest enrollment numbers in their respective districts. When Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine hit the store shelves this summer, that probable meeting was enhanced to include Class 3A’s preseason ranked No. 1 and No. 3 teams in an epic battle to advance to the second round.
Now it’s here. The 10-0 Gilmer Buckeyes face the 7-3 Liberty-Eylau Leopards Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Longview’s Lobo Stadium. For Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor, and Liberty-Eylau head coach Pat Brady, the game is the culmination of a lot of anticipation.
“I’ve known for a year that we were playing Liberty-Eylau,” said Traylor.
“One of the things I’ve avoided talking about all year is the Gilmer game,” Brady admitted. “But I think from the get-go, my kids knew that is who we’d play in the first round. I know this spring in track meets, they would talk about it.”
There are many reasons for the anticipation among the two teams. The schools haven’t met on the football field since 1979. Both teams have captured state championships recently; Liberty-Eylau in 1999, and Gilmer in 2004. But perhaps most of the anticipation comes from the number of great athletes each team will have on the field Friday night.
“Our kids know that Gilmer’s loaded with talent,” said Brady, when asked about a Buckeyes offense that averages 529 yards and 55 points per game. “They see the scores every week, and they know how many points they are putting on teams. They know that we’re going to have to play really well to compete against them.”
Now take a look at the next quote. Who said this? “We have got to find a way to tackle their running back; he is that good. Their quarterback is that good. Their receivers and tight ends are that good. They have a lot of division one talent out on the field, and just a lot of athletic ability. Our defense will have their hands full Friday night.”
If you guessed Brady, you’d be wrong. That quote came from Traylor, who insists that the Leopards “… are the best 7-3 football team that we’ve ever played against.” Traylor, who has led his alma mater to a 71-13 record since his arrival in 2000, gave high praise to the District 16-3A runners-up. “Athletically, they’re as good as anyone we have ever played. That includes Atlanta, Tatum, Daingerfield and Jasper. They’re no different than any of those great, athletic teams we’ve played in the past.”
Senior Will Middlebrooks (6-4, 197) is the Leopard’s primary weapon. The Texas A&M baseball signee, leads the team with 968 yards passing and is among the best punters and kickers in the state of Texas. LaMichael James (5-10, 185) leads the team in rushing with 954 yards and 10 touchdowns on only 136 carries. “LaMichael James is a (NCAA) Division One tailback,” commented Traylor. “He beat Curtis Brown in the 100-meter dash; that’s how fast he is.”
Despite all of that talent, the Leopards didn’t reach the lofty expectations that their preseason ranking gave them, losing games to Wimberley, Mount Pleasant and Atlanta.
“You look at them and you can’t figure out how they lost three games,” questioned Traylor. “Then you start looking at it; and Middlebrooks was hurt for two games, so that explains two of their losses. Then you look at how they lost the last one. They were in Atlanta, playing for a district championship; where it went to overtime, and they committed a 15-yard penalty in overtime, where I’m not sure Atlanta would have scored without that penalty.”
That would be the same Rabbits team that Gilmer obliterated 49-12 a month earlier in Atlanta. “I think our kids understand that we played Atlanta in week five, and not week ten,” said Traylor. “I could tell you right now, that if we had to go to Atlanta and play for the district championship in Atlanta; we’d probably be in overtime with Atlanta.”
Gilmer quarterback G.J. Kinne agreed that Liberty-Eylau’s 20-17 loss to Atlanta doesn’t change his opinion of the Leopards. “I don’t think so. Anything can happen on any Friday,” said the senior signal-caller, who has thrown for 2,962 yards and 43 touchdowns for the season. Despite those impressive numbers, Kinne feels the Buckeyes haven’t played a complete game this season. “We’re a really good ball team, but we’re not anywhere close to where we can be,” Kinne stated. “I think we’ll show a lot this week of what we’ve got. We’re going to come out ready. The seniors are going to take it on their shoulders and we’re going to step it up. We’ll be ready this week.”
Traylor admitted that the Buckeyes got their own wake-up call in the regular season’s final game against Gladewater, a 49-21 Gilmer win. “I think it definitely got our attention,” said Traylor. “I mean we’re talking about a team that only won four games this year; and they played us a competitive ball game. I think it got our attention.”
Most of that attention is focused on the Buckeyes’ defense which has allowed only 227 yards and 14.8 points per game this season, but now, according to Traylor, “We’re as outmatched, athletically with our defense compared to their offense as any game I’ve ever gone into.” The Leopards average 316 yards and 25.6 points per game. “They’re not a big play team, as much as they are a grind-it-out team,” Traylor stated. “I know with the talent they have, 40 points a game ought to be a piece of cake.”
Despite Traylor’s praise, Brady isn’t as convinced of his offense’s ability to score. “We can’t get in a scoring match with them,” Brady said. “We can’t score as quickly in our type of offense. But we can’t worry about that. What we have to worry about is what we can do; and what we can do, we have to do it very well.”
Brady also discounted the perception that Gilmer is an offensive-only scoring machine. “There are 11 pretty good athletes on the defense too. They can do things to hurt you, if you make mistakes.”
The Buckeyes’ athleticism on defense has forced opponents into 37 turnovers this season. Those take-aways are often followed by a lightning-quick scoring strike from the Buckeyes’ offense. “You can’t make mistakes,” implored Brady. “One of the things that they do is when you make a mistake, they take advantage of it, and they go for the kill. And when they do, it’s a demoralizing thing. It’s a momentum-changer. It almost makes you feel helpless when you turn the ball over and the next play is a touchdown.”
Mistakes are a common theme for Brady when he talks about playing the Buckeyes. “When you make a mistake, it’s like pouring blood in water full of sharks, with Gilmer,” Brady said. They’re going to pounce on it, and they’re going to make you pay for it.”
Traylor insisted that the same is true for Liberty-Eylau’s offense, if the Buckeyes’ defense makes a mistake. “They’ve got five players that can take it and score at anytime. Anytime; they can go to the house.”
Brady’s assessment of the Buckeyes’ offense mirrored Traylor’s claim about the Leopards. “We can’t concentrate on Brown, because then Johnson is going to kill us,” said Brady. “For that matter, if we concentrate on Brown and Johnson, there are two or three other kids that can hurt you bad.”
A total of 15 players have scored touchdowns for Gilmer this season, with Justin Johnson’s 16 scores, and Curtis Brown’s 15 end zone trips leading the way for a Buckeyes’ team that averages 7.5 touchdowns per game. To slow down such a high-powered offense; Brady said, “You want to try to make them beat you with something they don’t do well; and I don’t know what that is.”
Brady did admit that the Leopards match up well against the Buckeyes. “If we play as good as we can play, we can be a pretty good football team too. If we play well, then it should be a good game,” stated Brady, who has an impressive 25-10 record in his three years as Leopard’s head coach.
Traylor pointed out that one of the Buckeyes’ usual advantages over a team is null and void against the Leopards. “Liberty-Eylau is used to playing real deep into the playoffs,” Traylor said. “This ain’t their first rodeo.”
Traylor is also worried about his initial meeting against the Leopards coming in a playoff game. “I don’t do so well against teams the first time,” stated Traylor. “I think I’m a slow learner. We lost to Daingerfield the first time, Spring Hill the first time, Tatum the first time, Atlanta the first time, and Canton the first time. I hope I can figure them out a little quicker this time than I have in the past.”
Did you know?
Liberty-Eylau owns a 10-2 all-time record against Gilmer. The two teams met for 12 consecutive years, starting in 1968 with the Leopards’ 21-14 victory. The Buckeyes’ two wins came in 1970 and 1973, while Liberty-Eylau won the last meeting in 1979.
Directions to Lobo Stadium
From Gilmer, take State Highway 300 approximately 17 miles to Longview. Turn left (east) onto Loop 281 for 2.8 miles, and turn left (north) onto Airline Drive. Stadium is on the left.
Scout Team
Players of the Week
Offense: Travis Lee
Defense: Shaquile Ector
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
BUCKEYE SENIOR Curtis Brown scores from 56 yards out after catching a G.J. Kinne pass against Gladewater. In background is Dakota Hagler (70). Gilmer plays Liberty-Eylau on Friday night, Nov. 17, in Longview.
By JOE DODD
When the UIL’s bi-annual realignment was announced in February, both Gilmer and Liberty-Eylau knew that a trip to the football playoffs would mean a first round match-up between the two teams, since both schools shared the distinction of having the largest enrollment numbers in their respective districts. When Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine hit the store shelves this summer, that probable meeting was enhanced to include Class 3A’s preseason ranked No. 1 and No. 3 teams in an epic battle to advance to the second round.
Now it’s here. The 10-0 Gilmer Buckeyes face the 7-3 Liberty-Eylau Leopards Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Longview’s Lobo Stadium. For Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor, and Liberty-Eylau head coach Pat Brady, the game is the culmination of a lot of anticipation.
“I’ve known for a year that we were playing Liberty-Eylau,” said Traylor.
“One of the things I’ve avoided talking about all year is the Gilmer game,” Brady admitted. “But I think from the get-go, my kids knew that is who we’d play in the first round. I know this spring in track meets, they would talk about it.”
There are many reasons for the anticipation among the two teams. The schools haven’t met on the football field since 1979. Both teams have captured state championships recently; Liberty-Eylau in 1999, and Gilmer in 2004. But perhaps most of the anticipation comes from the number of great athletes each team will have on the field Friday night.
“Our kids know that Gilmer’s loaded with talent,” said Brady, when asked about a Buckeyes offense that averages 529 yards and 55 points per game. “They see the scores every week, and they know how many points they are putting on teams. They know that we’re going to have to play really well to compete against them.”
Now take a look at the next quote. Who said this? “We have got to find a way to tackle their running back; he is that good. Their quarterback is that good. Their receivers and tight ends are that good. They have a lot of division one talent out on the field, and just a lot of athletic ability. Our defense will have their hands full Friday night.”
If you guessed Brady, you’d be wrong. That quote came from Traylor, who insists that the Leopards “… are the best 7-3 football team that we’ve ever played against.” Traylor, who has led his alma mater to a 71-13 record since his arrival in 2000, gave high praise to the District 16-3A runners-up. “Athletically, they’re as good as anyone we have ever played. That includes Atlanta, Tatum, Daingerfield and Jasper. They’re no different than any of those great, athletic teams we’ve played in the past.”
Senior Will Middlebrooks (6-4, 197) is the Leopard’s primary weapon. The Texas A&M baseball signee, leads the team with 968 yards passing and is among the best punters and kickers in the state of Texas. LaMichael James (5-10, 185) leads the team in rushing with 954 yards and 10 touchdowns on only 136 carries. “LaMichael James is a (NCAA) Division One tailback,” commented Traylor. “He beat Curtis Brown in the 100-meter dash; that’s how fast he is.”
Despite all of that talent, the Leopards didn’t reach the lofty expectations that their preseason ranking gave them, losing games to Wimberley, Mount Pleasant and Atlanta.
“You look at them and you can’t figure out how they lost three games,” questioned Traylor. “Then you start looking at it; and Middlebrooks was hurt for two games, so that explains two of their losses. Then you look at how they lost the last one. They were in Atlanta, playing for a district championship; where it went to overtime, and they committed a 15-yard penalty in overtime, where I’m not sure Atlanta would have scored without that penalty.”
That would be the same Rabbits team that Gilmer obliterated 49-12 a month earlier in Atlanta. “I think our kids understand that we played Atlanta in week five, and not week ten,” said Traylor. “I could tell you right now, that if we had to go to Atlanta and play for the district championship in Atlanta; we’d probably be in overtime with Atlanta.”
Gilmer quarterback G.J. Kinne agreed that Liberty-Eylau’s 20-17 loss to Atlanta doesn’t change his opinion of the Leopards. “I don’t think so. Anything can happen on any Friday,” said the senior signal-caller, who has thrown for 2,962 yards and 43 touchdowns for the season. Despite those impressive numbers, Kinne feels the Buckeyes haven’t played a complete game this season. “We’re a really good ball team, but we’re not anywhere close to where we can be,” Kinne stated. “I think we’ll show a lot this week of what we’ve got. We’re going to come out ready. The seniors are going to take it on their shoulders and we’re going to step it up. We’ll be ready this week.”
Traylor admitted that the Buckeyes got their own wake-up call in the regular season’s final game against Gladewater, a 49-21 Gilmer win. “I think it definitely got our attention,” said Traylor. “I mean we’re talking about a team that only won four games this year; and they played us a competitive ball game. I think it got our attention.”
Most of that attention is focused on the Buckeyes’ defense which has allowed only 227 yards and 14.8 points per game this season, but now, according to Traylor, “We’re as outmatched, athletically with our defense compared to their offense as any game I’ve ever gone into.” The Leopards average 316 yards and 25.6 points per game. “They’re not a big play team, as much as they are a grind-it-out team,” Traylor stated. “I know with the talent they have, 40 points a game ought to be a piece of cake.”
Despite Traylor’s praise, Brady isn’t as convinced of his offense’s ability to score. “We can’t get in a scoring match with them,” Brady said. “We can’t score as quickly in our type of offense. But we can’t worry about that. What we have to worry about is what we can do; and what we can do, we have to do it very well.”
Brady also discounted the perception that Gilmer is an offensive-only scoring machine. “There are 11 pretty good athletes on the defense too. They can do things to hurt you, if you make mistakes.”
The Buckeyes’ athleticism on defense has forced opponents into 37 turnovers this season. Those take-aways are often followed by a lightning-quick scoring strike from the Buckeyes’ offense. “You can’t make mistakes,” implored Brady. “One of the things that they do is when you make a mistake, they take advantage of it, and they go for the kill. And when they do, it’s a demoralizing thing. It’s a momentum-changer. It almost makes you feel helpless when you turn the ball over and the next play is a touchdown.”
Mistakes are a common theme for Brady when he talks about playing the Buckeyes. “When you make a mistake, it’s like pouring blood in water full of sharks, with Gilmer,” Brady said. They’re going to pounce on it, and they’re going to make you pay for it.”
Traylor insisted that the same is true for Liberty-Eylau’s offense, if the Buckeyes’ defense makes a mistake. “They’ve got five players that can take it and score at anytime. Anytime; they can go to the house.”
Brady’s assessment of the Buckeyes’ offense mirrored Traylor’s claim about the Leopards. “We can’t concentrate on Brown, because then Johnson is going to kill us,” said Brady. “For that matter, if we concentrate on Brown and Johnson, there are two or three other kids that can hurt you bad.”
A total of 15 players have scored touchdowns for Gilmer this season, with Justin Johnson’s 16 scores, and Curtis Brown’s 15 end zone trips leading the way for a Buckeyes’ team that averages 7.5 touchdowns per game. To slow down such a high-powered offense; Brady said, “You want to try to make them beat you with something they don’t do well; and I don’t know what that is.”
Brady did admit that the Leopards match up well against the Buckeyes. “If we play as good as we can play, we can be a pretty good football team too. If we play well, then it should be a good game,” stated Brady, who has an impressive 25-10 record in his three years as Leopard’s head coach.
Traylor pointed out that one of the Buckeyes’ usual advantages over a team is null and void against the Leopards. “Liberty-Eylau is used to playing real deep into the playoffs,” Traylor said. “This ain’t their first rodeo.”
Traylor is also worried about his initial meeting against the Leopards coming in a playoff game. “I don’t do so well against teams the first time,” stated Traylor. “I think I’m a slow learner. We lost to Daingerfield the first time, Spring Hill the first time, Tatum the first time, Atlanta the first time, and Canton the first time. I hope I can figure them out a little quicker this time than I have in the past.”
Did you know?
Liberty-Eylau owns a 10-2 all-time record against Gilmer. The two teams met for 12 consecutive years, starting in 1968 with the Leopards’ 21-14 victory. The Buckeyes’ two wins came in 1970 and 1973, while Liberty-Eylau won the last meeting in 1979.
Directions to Lobo Stadium
From Gilmer, take State Highway 300 approximately 17 miles to Longview. Turn left (east) onto Loop 281 for 2.8 miles, and turn left (north) onto Airline Drive. Stadium is on the left.
Scout Team
Players of the Week
Offense: Travis Lee
Defense: Shaquile Ector
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
BUCKEYE SENIOR Curtis Brown scores from 56 yards out after catching a G.J. Kinne pass against Gladewater. In background is Dakota Hagler (70). Gilmer plays Liberty-Eylau on Friday night, Nov. 17, in Longview.
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