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Buckeyes battle Tatum in Tyler

By JOE DODD

In what has become an almost annual tradition, the Gilmer Buckeyes and Tatum Eagles will face off in a game featuring two of the best teams in the state Thursday night at Tyler’s Trinity Mother Frances’ Earl Campbell Field at Rose Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
Both teams are state-ranked. Both teams feature top college recruits. Both teams have won recent state titles. Gilmer’s title came in 2004, while Tatum won a 3A title in 2005, then followed with a 2A title in 2006.
For a rivalry that didn’t get started until 1986, the Buckeyes and Eagles have provided some of the best football in East Texas over the last 21 years. Only 39 points separate the two teams over the 17-game life of the series. That’s an average of only 2.3 points per game. The Buckeyes hold an 11-6 all-time advantage in the series, with Gilmer winning the past four games in a row.
That 4-game winning streak belongs to Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor, who lost to the Eagles in 2000; his first season as the Buckeyes’ boss. Since that 14-6 loss, Traylor’s teams have outscored Tatum by an average of 47-27. The last two wins have come against Eagles’ coach Andy Evans, who sports an impressive 41-4 record since coming to Tatum in 2004.
The last time these two teams met, it was arguably the biggest regular season game in the history of both programs. The Buckeyes were number one in Class 3A. The Eagles were number one in Class 2A. 7,500 fans found their way into Buckeye Stadium to see G.J. Kinne and Curtis Brown of Gilmer, now at the University of Texas, take on Lennon Creer and Darnius Moore of Tatum, now at the University of Tennessee.
Gilmer took advantage of six Eagles’ turnovers en route to a convincing 45-21 win. Tatum went on to win their second straight state championship, while the Buckeyes lost in the first round of the playoffs to eventual state champion Liberty-Eylau.
There may not be as much hype this year, but Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor knows this is a big game. “It’s always a great game, so it will be a great one this Thursday,” promised Traylor. “They’re a 2-time defending state champion; you don’t get to see teams do that very often.”
Both teams have replaced key components to last year’s success. Tatum returns just four offensive and five defensive starters from last year’s team, while Gilmer returns eight starters on offense, but only two starters on defense.
Despite the Buckeyes’ apparent advantage of returning offensive starters, Traylor warns that the Eagles still have the advantage. “The real difference this year is Cashas Pollard. He’s a 2-time state championship quarterback,” said Traylor. “There’s nothing that he hasn’t seen. Think of all the big games he’s been in.”
Pollard will be making his 32nd consecutive start for the Eagles, while sophomore Darian Godfrey will make just his 2nd start for the Buckeyes.
Traylor also holds the Eagles’ defense in high regards due to the presence of returning 1st team all-state linebacker Bryce Beall. Traylor called him, “The best linebacker we’ve ever played against.” Beall is also a solid running back, having rushed for 700 yards and 13 touchdowns on only 76 carries last season.
“Beall and Cashas Pollard are the heart and soul of that team,” stated Traylor, who is concerned about Tatum’s speed. “I’m worried about their team speed versus our team speed,” said Traylor. “They’ve got a lot of really fast kids, and I’m worried about their total team speed.”
The Eagles have several football players that have been a part of Tatum’s consecutive state championships in track. According to Traylor, the Buckeyes will counter Tatum’s speed advantage with, “Team defense. They all have to be disciplined to be in their area, and we’ve got to hope two or three can get them down. We don’t have many that can solo [tackle] them,” Traylor stated. “The first guy’s got to hold on, and the rest of them have to get there quick.”
Traylor does believe his Buckeyes have one advantage over the Eagles. “Our depth will play a factor. We’ve got good depth,” said Traylor. “I think it will be the key to the game.”
Tatum is coming off a 48-20 win over Daingerfield in the season opener. Beall rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns as the Eagles’ racked up 389 total yards, while holding the Tigers to just 130 yards of total offense.
Traylor cautioned the Buckeyes’ faithful with the same warning he gave last week. “We’re not ready to play Tatum. I just hope that we’re more ready than they are.”
Scout Team
Players of the Week
Offense: Josh Gordon, Tyrone Fort
Defense: Tevin Godfrey, Adam Hart

Clash Of The Titans

Area powers Gilmer, Tatum meet


Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
LOOKING FOR an opening, Gilmer’s Darian “Stump” Godfrey eyes Richwood’s Talvin Paul as he scrambles for yardage in the third quarter. The Buckeyes recorded their 21st straight home win.

Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GILMER’S JEREMY JACKSON cuts around left end as the fleet-footed running back beats Richwood’s Justin Young on the angle for a fourth quarter first down. Jackson scored two second half touchdowns in last week’s 39-0 win.

Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
JUSTIN JOHNSON breaks away from Richwood’s Aaron Borens as “Bus 1” picks up speed on his run for the Buckeyes’ second touchdown. Gilmer won the interstate duel, 39-0.

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