By JOE DODD
The East Texas Yamboree used to be a time of great concern for Gilmer Buckeyes’ coaches who worried about the seductive lure of greasy food, soda pop, and late night fun for the players enjoying two days away from school.
“Traditionally that was when you wanted to play Gilmer,” admitted White Oak head coach Tracy Blankenship, who graduated from White Oak in 1981. “But I think that’s the old Gilmer; that’s not been the case the last several years.”
The last several years just happens to coincide with Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor’s return to his alma matter in 2000. Traylor knows all about playing football during the Yamboree, having played in six Yamboree week games before graduating from Gilmer in 1986.
After losing to a superior 12-1 Daingerfield team his first season as Buckeyes’ head coach, Traylor’s teams have won six straight Yamboree games. “Our kids really handle the Yamboree well,” said Traylor. “I think because I’m from here, I don’t overreact.”
“I know I’m going to have some kids miss a little bit showing their hogs, and I hope they don’t eat but eight corn dogs and only six cotton candies and stay on their feet all night before the game,” joked Traylor.
The 6-0 Buckeyes will put that 6-game Yamboree winning streak, along with a 30-game district winning streak, and 20-game regular season winning streak on the line when they travel to Roughneck Stadium Friday night to face the 1-5 Roughnecks in a District 15-3A contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
It will be Gilmer’s first trip to White Oak since a 16-8 loss in 1999, and Traylor’s first visit as the Buckeyes’ head coach. “The last time I was there was 1985 playing for coach [Ron] Dupree,” said Traylor, recalling the Buckeyes’ 54-0 victory his senior season.
That 54-point margin was the largest in the two team’s all-time series until the Buckeyes’ 56-point margin of victory in last year’s 63-7 win in Gilmer. Blankenship admits that this year’s result could be similar. “We’ve not played anybody that compares with Gilmer, but we have played a tough pre-district schedule,” said the fifth-year head coach.
“We have to use this game as an opportunity to get better,” stated Blankenship, who has an 18-30 record at White Oak. That’s the same goal Traylor has for this game after watching the clock run almost non-stop in the second half of the Buckeyes’ last three games. “I have a lot of respect for White Oak,” stressed Traylor. “If we had the opportunity to run the clock, I would be shocked if White Oak would do that. I know their kids will play hard Friday. I don’t think they will roll over. I have a lot of respect for Coach Blankenship and their school pride.”
Blankenship agreed with Traylor’s analysis. “They put 63 on us last year and the clock never ran in a way that it wasn’t supposed to,” said the Roughneck head coach. “Whenever everybody picks against you; you don’t have a lot to lose so you can relax and let your hair down and go play.”
Blankenship also looks forward to the throng of Buckeyes’ fans expected to invade Roughneck Stadium. “It will be exciting because it will pack the house. It’s always more exciting when the stands are full. Gilmer brings a lot of people and a big band, and while that makes some concerns with our cadence for our quarterback-center exchange, it sure does make for more of an exciting atmosphere.”
Traylor promises Gilmer fans a game against “a typical White Oak team. They’re scrappy, they’re disciplined, they play hard.”
White Oak’s offense is lead by sophomore quarterback Austin Tubbs, who has passed for 680 yards and 6 touchdowns this season after starting all 10 games for the Roughnecks as a freshman. Joining Tubbs in the backfield are fellow sophomores Jackson McCurdy at fullback and Junior Hamilton at tailback. McCurdy leads the ground attack with 325 rushing yards and three touchdowns. McCurdy is also the Necks’ leading receiver with 17 receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown.
The Roughnecks’ offensive line is led by seniors Graham Shuttlesworth, John Lennon and Spencer Morgan. “Their offensive line is a good unit; they are well coached,” said Traylor, who added what he is looking for from his defense this week. “We need to tackle better. Our pad level has got to be better; we’re too high.”
Defensively, White Oak is led by senior linebacker Aaron Watson with 40 tackles, followed by Cullen Heim’s 36 tackles and Cody Wright’s 33 tackles. The Roughnecks are giving up an average of 32.8 points per game, which is about 19 points less than what the Buckeyes’ offense averages.
Traylor wants his offense to use this game to prepare for their first round playoff opponent. “We’ve got to keep throwing the ball well. We’ve thrown the ball well this year, and we’re going to need to throw it well against Liberty-Eylau,” said Traylor, who is 77-14 in his eight seasons at Gilmer.
Traylor confirmed that Liberty-Eylau concerns him much more than the Yamboree. “If after all this time, and as much commitment we have in this program, they can’t be a little disciplined about the Yamboree, we’re not going to win anyway. I think these kids are very disciplined; I’d be shocked if we had any problems with the Yamboree.”
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GILMER’S MARLON GRANVILLE is off to the races with his interception which he took in for a touchdown. Gilmer scored several touchdowns on defensive turnovers in their 59-7 road victory over Sabine last Friday night. The Buckeyes continue District 15-3A play and stay on the road against the White Oak Roughnecks this Friday night, Oct. 19.
Roughnecks face tough battle against talented Buckeyes
By George Whitley
Friday, October 19, 2007
WHITE OAK — If the White Oak Roughnecks were a team of mountain climbers, tonight's contest with the second-ranked Gilmer Buckeyes might very well be considered Everest.
The daunting task of tackling the ultra-talented, blue chip ridden Buckeyes sits before a young group of battle-weary Roughnecks. Despite the severely stacked odds, coach Tracy Blankenship promises his team won't run and hide.
Gilmer comes into tonight's contest with a spotless 6-0 record, averaging a shade over 50 points per contest. The Buckeyes are winning games by a staggering 40 points.
The Buckeye backfield has a one-two punch of Justin Johnson and Jeremy Jackson. Johnson, who has given his verbal to cross the Red River and play for Oklahoma next fall, leads the way with 693 yards on 55 carries with eight scores. Jackson has equally impressive numbers with an average of 10.8 yards per touch and a touchdown every five times he totes the pigskin.
As a unit the Buckeyes average nine yards per rush and total 304 yards per contest on the ground with 22 TDs.
Up front, Gilmer averages 260 pounds per man, led by 300-pound senior and Texas commitment David Snow at right guard. Snow is joined by 280-pound senior right tackle Daniel Jenkins.
Holding down the post at center is senior Chip Elms, who at 180 pounds is the smallest lineman. Rounding out the left side is 270-pound senior Cody Lee at guard and 260-pound senior Garrett Adkins at tackle.
The Roughnecks turned in arguably their best defensive showing of the season last week against Spring Hill. The Panthers averaged 5.5 yards per rush, but that was under a yard better than the Roughnecks seasonal average of 6.6 per rush.
Senior Cullen Heim continues to develop in his new role at defensive end. Heim has played linebacker his entire career up until two weeks ago against Pleasant Grove. Injuries forced the switch and Heim's showing steady progress, totaling six tackles against Spring Hill. His 47 tackles are third only to linebackers Aaron Watson's 50 and Cody Wright's 49.
Opposite Heim at the other end slot is senior Taylor Martin, who managed a sack last week of Spring Hill's Chris Lee. Martin comes into the contest with 34 total stops and is second to Heim in quarterback sacks.
Along with Watson and Wright, Trevor Wait will be put to the test at the other linebacker post. Wait totaled seven stops last week and has 41 for the season. Plugging the holes at tackle include juniors Orlando Humble and Colton Brown. Humble has totaled 45 stops thus far.
The East Texas Yamboree used to be a time of great concern for Gilmer Buckeyes’ coaches who worried about the seductive lure of greasy food, soda pop, and late night fun for the players enjoying two days away from school.
“Traditionally that was when you wanted to play Gilmer,” admitted White Oak head coach Tracy Blankenship, who graduated from White Oak in 1981. “But I think that’s the old Gilmer; that’s not been the case the last several years.”
The last several years just happens to coincide with Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor’s return to his alma matter in 2000. Traylor knows all about playing football during the Yamboree, having played in six Yamboree week games before graduating from Gilmer in 1986.
After losing to a superior 12-1 Daingerfield team his first season as Buckeyes’ head coach, Traylor’s teams have won six straight Yamboree games. “Our kids really handle the Yamboree well,” said Traylor. “I think because I’m from here, I don’t overreact.”
“I know I’m going to have some kids miss a little bit showing their hogs, and I hope they don’t eat but eight corn dogs and only six cotton candies and stay on their feet all night before the game,” joked Traylor.
The 6-0 Buckeyes will put that 6-game Yamboree winning streak, along with a 30-game district winning streak, and 20-game regular season winning streak on the line when they travel to Roughneck Stadium Friday night to face the 1-5 Roughnecks in a District 15-3A contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
It will be Gilmer’s first trip to White Oak since a 16-8 loss in 1999, and Traylor’s first visit as the Buckeyes’ head coach. “The last time I was there was 1985 playing for coach [Ron] Dupree,” said Traylor, recalling the Buckeyes’ 54-0 victory his senior season.
That 54-point margin was the largest in the two team’s all-time series until the Buckeyes’ 56-point margin of victory in last year’s 63-7 win in Gilmer. Blankenship admits that this year’s result could be similar. “We’ve not played anybody that compares with Gilmer, but we have played a tough pre-district schedule,” said the fifth-year head coach.
“We have to use this game as an opportunity to get better,” stated Blankenship, who has an 18-30 record at White Oak. That’s the same goal Traylor has for this game after watching the clock run almost non-stop in the second half of the Buckeyes’ last three games. “I have a lot of respect for White Oak,” stressed Traylor. “If we had the opportunity to run the clock, I would be shocked if White Oak would do that. I know their kids will play hard Friday. I don’t think they will roll over. I have a lot of respect for Coach Blankenship and their school pride.”
Blankenship agreed with Traylor’s analysis. “They put 63 on us last year and the clock never ran in a way that it wasn’t supposed to,” said the Roughneck head coach. “Whenever everybody picks against you; you don’t have a lot to lose so you can relax and let your hair down and go play.”
Blankenship also looks forward to the throng of Buckeyes’ fans expected to invade Roughneck Stadium. “It will be exciting because it will pack the house. It’s always more exciting when the stands are full. Gilmer brings a lot of people and a big band, and while that makes some concerns with our cadence for our quarterback-center exchange, it sure does make for more of an exciting atmosphere.”
Traylor promises Gilmer fans a game against “a typical White Oak team. They’re scrappy, they’re disciplined, they play hard.”
White Oak’s offense is lead by sophomore quarterback Austin Tubbs, who has passed for 680 yards and 6 touchdowns this season after starting all 10 games for the Roughnecks as a freshman. Joining Tubbs in the backfield are fellow sophomores Jackson McCurdy at fullback and Junior Hamilton at tailback. McCurdy leads the ground attack with 325 rushing yards and three touchdowns. McCurdy is also the Necks’ leading receiver with 17 receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown.
The Roughnecks’ offensive line is led by seniors Graham Shuttlesworth, John Lennon and Spencer Morgan. “Their offensive line is a good unit; they are well coached,” said Traylor, who added what he is looking for from his defense this week. “We need to tackle better. Our pad level has got to be better; we’re too high.”
Defensively, White Oak is led by senior linebacker Aaron Watson with 40 tackles, followed by Cullen Heim’s 36 tackles and Cody Wright’s 33 tackles. The Roughnecks are giving up an average of 32.8 points per game, which is about 19 points less than what the Buckeyes’ offense averages.
Traylor wants his offense to use this game to prepare for their first round playoff opponent. “We’ve got to keep throwing the ball well. We’ve thrown the ball well this year, and we’re going to need to throw it well against Liberty-Eylau,” said Traylor, who is 77-14 in his eight seasons at Gilmer.
Traylor confirmed that Liberty-Eylau concerns him much more than the Yamboree. “If after all this time, and as much commitment we have in this program, they can’t be a little disciplined about the Yamboree, we’re not going to win anyway. I think these kids are very disciplined; I’d be shocked if we had any problems with the Yamboree.”
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GILMER’S MARLON GRANVILLE is off to the races with his interception which he took in for a touchdown. Gilmer scored several touchdowns on defensive turnovers in their 59-7 road victory over Sabine last Friday night. The Buckeyes continue District 15-3A play and stay on the road against the White Oak Roughnecks this Friday night, Oct. 19.
Roughnecks face tough battle against talented Buckeyes
By George Whitley
Friday, October 19, 2007
WHITE OAK — If the White Oak Roughnecks were a team of mountain climbers, tonight's contest with the second-ranked Gilmer Buckeyes might very well be considered Everest.
The daunting task of tackling the ultra-talented, blue chip ridden Buckeyes sits before a young group of battle-weary Roughnecks. Despite the severely stacked odds, coach Tracy Blankenship promises his team won't run and hide.
Gilmer comes into tonight's contest with a spotless 6-0 record, averaging a shade over 50 points per contest. The Buckeyes are winning games by a staggering 40 points.
The Buckeye backfield has a one-two punch of Justin Johnson and Jeremy Jackson. Johnson, who has given his verbal to cross the Red River and play for Oklahoma next fall, leads the way with 693 yards on 55 carries with eight scores. Jackson has equally impressive numbers with an average of 10.8 yards per touch and a touchdown every five times he totes the pigskin.
As a unit the Buckeyes average nine yards per rush and total 304 yards per contest on the ground with 22 TDs.
Up front, Gilmer averages 260 pounds per man, led by 300-pound senior and Texas commitment David Snow at right guard. Snow is joined by 280-pound senior right tackle Daniel Jenkins.
Holding down the post at center is senior Chip Elms, who at 180 pounds is the smallest lineman. Rounding out the left side is 270-pound senior Cody Lee at guard and 260-pound senior Garrett Adkins at tackle.
The Roughnecks turned in arguably their best defensive showing of the season last week against Spring Hill. The Panthers averaged 5.5 yards per rush, but that was under a yard better than the Roughnecks seasonal average of 6.6 per rush.
Senior Cullen Heim continues to develop in his new role at defensive end. Heim has played linebacker his entire career up until two weeks ago against Pleasant Grove. Injuries forced the switch and Heim's showing steady progress, totaling six tackles against Spring Hill. His 47 tackles are third only to linebackers Aaron Watson's 50 and Cody Wright's 49.
Opposite Heim at the other end slot is senior Taylor Martin, who managed a sack last week of Spring Hill's Chris Lee. Martin comes into the contest with 34 total stops and is second to Heim in quarterback sacks.
Along with Watson and Wright, Trevor Wait will be put to the test at the other linebacker post. Wait totaled seven stops last week and has 41 for the season. Plugging the holes at tackle include juniors Orlando Humble and Colton Brown. Humble has totaled 45 stops thus far.
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