By JOE DODD
The Gilmer Buckeyes prepared for the circus of the regular season by taming the New Boston Lions 4-0 in the team’s final scrimmage Thursday night in New Boston.
The Buckeyes’ Justin Johnson saw his first action of the preseason, and made the most of the opportunity with three touchdown runs. Houston Tuminello scored the other Gilmer touchdown, catching a Darian Godfrey pass.
Tuminello’s score came in the controlled portion of the scrimmage, along with Johnson’s first touchdown run, as the Buckeyes took advantage of two Lion turnovers. Dakota Hagler recovered a fumble, and Ross Stevens collected the first of his two interceptions on the night, giving Gilmer a comfortable lead heading into the final 20-minute game-condition scrimmage.
The Buckeyes’ offense failed to crank on its first possession, gaining only a yard before getting off a 26-yard punt, giving the ball to the Lions at their own 43-yard line. New Boston got down to the Buckeyes’ 18-yard line in only five plays, but came away empty-handed when Gilmer’s Braylon Webb recovered another Lion fumble.
That was the spark that the Buckeyes’ high-octane offense needed. Godfrey connected with Lamar Harris on the next play for a 52-yard gain down to the Lion’s 20-yard line. On the following play, Johnson took advantage of his massive offensive line by taking the football to the right side and going untouched into the end zone.
New Boston took possession of the football at their own 30-yard line, only to get a 5-yard penalty on their first play. The second play was even worse for the Lions as the Buckeyes’ Stevens picked off an errant pass at the Lions’ 33-yard line.
Johnson did the honors on the very next play, this time to the left side, 33 yards untouched into the end zone.
On their next possession, New Boston would try to keep the Buckeyes’ offense off the field with 10 straight running plays that saw the Lions reach Gilmer’s 13-yard line before the Buckeyes knocked down a pass in the end zone on 4th down.
Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor was pleased with his team’s intensity. “We got after it a little bit better. We were a little more excited,” commented Traylor before switching gears and addressing his team’s weaknesses. “We had a ton of penalties. That is a major concern; way too many penalties. We’ve got to quit holding people. We’ve got to get our hands inside, and quit doing that.”
Defensively, Traylor was concerned about the Lions’ ability to run up the middle on the Buckeyes, but was excited about the Black Flag’s big plays. “We created turnovers tonight. I think we got three or four turnovers; that was good to see.”
Traylor was also happy to play in game-like conditions that allowed his offense to do what it does best. “Our strength on offense is that we don’t huddle,” said Traylor. “We’ve been having to huddle every time [in scrimmages]. Us getting in a huddle is a comedy routine; we don’t even know where to stand. So going no-huddle for the first time was a tremendous help.”
The Buckeyes’ offensive statistics seem to prove Traylor’s theory, as Gilmer racked up 145 yards on only 10 plays during the game-like scrimmage.
All of this means that the Buckeyes are ready for their first regular season game here Friday, Aug. 31 against Richwood (La.), right?
“Oh no, we’re not ready,” replied Traylor. “I just hope they’re less ready than we are.”
Game Condition Scrimmage Statistics
Gilmer Offense
Rushing- 6 for 81 yards, 2 TDs
Justin Johnson TD runs of 20 & 33 yards
Passing- 2-4 for 64 yards
Total- 10 plays for 145 yards, 2 TDs
First Downs- 2
Turnovers-0
New Boston Offense
Rushing- 15 for 84 yards
Passing- 1-3 for 12 yards
Total- 18 plays for 96 yards
First Downs- 5
Turnovers-2
Buckeyes’ Scout Team Players of the Week
Dustin Hardin
Joseph Crocker
Tamile Harris
Kirby Spencer
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GILMER’S JUSTIN JOHNSON heads for an opening in his offensive line as Gilmer drives for a touchdown in the scrimmage at New Boston on Thursday, Aug. 23.
The Gilmer Buckeyes prepared for the circus of the regular season by taming the New Boston Lions 4-0 in the team’s final scrimmage Thursday night in New Boston.
The Buckeyes’ Justin Johnson saw his first action of the preseason, and made the most of the opportunity with three touchdown runs. Houston Tuminello scored the other Gilmer touchdown, catching a Darian Godfrey pass.
Tuminello’s score came in the controlled portion of the scrimmage, along with Johnson’s first touchdown run, as the Buckeyes took advantage of two Lion turnovers. Dakota Hagler recovered a fumble, and Ross Stevens collected the first of his two interceptions on the night, giving Gilmer a comfortable lead heading into the final 20-minute game-condition scrimmage.
The Buckeyes’ offense failed to crank on its first possession, gaining only a yard before getting off a 26-yard punt, giving the ball to the Lions at their own 43-yard line. New Boston got down to the Buckeyes’ 18-yard line in only five plays, but came away empty-handed when Gilmer’s Braylon Webb recovered another Lion fumble.
That was the spark that the Buckeyes’ high-octane offense needed. Godfrey connected with Lamar Harris on the next play for a 52-yard gain down to the Lion’s 20-yard line. On the following play, Johnson took advantage of his massive offensive line by taking the football to the right side and going untouched into the end zone.
New Boston took possession of the football at their own 30-yard line, only to get a 5-yard penalty on their first play. The second play was even worse for the Lions as the Buckeyes’ Stevens picked off an errant pass at the Lions’ 33-yard line.
Johnson did the honors on the very next play, this time to the left side, 33 yards untouched into the end zone.
On their next possession, New Boston would try to keep the Buckeyes’ offense off the field with 10 straight running plays that saw the Lions reach Gilmer’s 13-yard line before the Buckeyes knocked down a pass in the end zone on 4th down.
Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor was pleased with his team’s intensity. “We got after it a little bit better. We were a little more excited,” commented Traylor before switching gears and addressing his team’s weaknesses. “We had a ton of penalties. That is a major concern; way too many penalties. We’ve got to quit holding people. We’ve got to get our hands inside, and quit doing that.”
Defensively, Traylor was concerned about the Lions’ ability to run up the middle on the Buckeyes, but was excited about the Black Flag’s big plays. “We created turnovers tonight. I think we got three or four turnovers; that was good to see.”
Traylor was also happy to play in game-like conditions that allowed his offense to do what it does best. “Our strength on offense is that we don’t huddle,” said Traylor. “We’ve been having to huddle every time [in scrimmages]. Us getting in a huddle is a comedy routine; we don’t even know where to stand. So going no-huddle for the first time was a tremendous help.”
The Buckeyes’ offensive statistics seem to prove Traylor’s theory, as Gilmer racked up 145 yards on only 10 plays during the game-like scrimmage.
All of this means that the Buckeyes are ready for their first regular season game here Friday, Aug. 31 against Richwood (La.), right?
“Oh no, we’re not ready,” replied Traylor. “I just hope they’re less ready than we are.”
Game Condition Scrimmage Statistics
Gilmer Offense
Rushing- 6 for 81 yards, 2 TDs
Justin Johnson TD runs of 20 & 33 yards
Passing- 2-4 for 64 yards
Total- 10 plays for 145 yards, 2 TDs
First Downs- 2
Turnovers-0
New Boston Offense
Rushing- 15 for 84 yards
Passing- 1-3 for 12 yards
Total- 18 plays for 96 yards
First Downs- 5
Turnovers-2
Buckeyes’ Scout Team Players of the Week
Dustin Hardin
Joseph Crocker
Tamile Harris
Kirby Spencer
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GILMER’S JUSTIN JOHNSON heads for an opening in his offensive line as Gilmer drives for a touchdown in the scrimmage at New Boston on Thursday, Aug. 23.
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