Gilmer Buckeyes

By JOE DODD Gilmer Buckeyes’ senior quarterback G.J. Kinne was named the Associated Press Class 3A Offensive Player of the Year, and teammate Curtis Brown was named to the first team defense, headlining a group of six Buckeyes honored by the AP. Kinne won the Offensive Player of the year award for the second straight year. In 2005, Kinne was selected after leading the Canton Eagles to the Class 3A Regional Finals, before losing to eventual state champion Tatum. After his father, Canton head coach Gary Joe Kinne left the Eagles for a position at Baylor, Kinne moved with his mother and step-father to Gilmer, and joined the Buckeyes for his senior season. Kinne’s season was nothing short of spectacular, but once again Kinne and his teammates suffered a playoff loss to the eventual state champion; this time to Liberty-Eylau in the first round. Kinne finished the regular season with 2,962 yards, 43 touchdowns and only one interception, while completing 149 of 218 passes, helping the Buckeye...

By JOE DODD Thirty-seven players and the Gilmer Buckeyes’ coaching staff were honored recently when the District 15-3A Football Team was announced. The Buckeyes finished the season with a 10-1 record, and the Associated Press’ No. 1 ranking in Class 3A. “We’re extremely proud to have that many kids make it. I take great pride in that,” said Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor. “Whenever you work hard, you get rewarded; and that’s a good thing.” Buckeyes’ quarterback G.J. Kinne was named the district’s Most Valuable Player after passing for 3,261 yards and 47 touchdowns, while completing 68 percent of his passes. Kinne also ran for an additional 9 touchdowns, and suffered only one interception on the season. That one interception came on Kinne’s first pass as a Buckeye. Jamell Kennedy was chosen as the district’s Offensive MVP, after totaling 906 total offensive yards and 9 touchdowns on 30 catches and 26 rushes. Kennedy moved to receiver for his senior season after being named first team al...

His No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners have earned the right to play No. 9 Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 1. It sure beats the Alamo Bowl. In spite of the loss to Texas, OU won the Big 12. Rhett Who?