By JOE DODD
Overcoming what head coach Jeff Traylor called, “The toughest playing conditions I have ever played or coached in,” the Gilmer Buckeyes defeated the Mabank Panthers 35-28 Saturday at Stephen F. Austin’s Homer Bryce Stadium to stay alive in the Class 3A Division I area round.
With temperatures in the low 40s, driving rain and a brisk north wind, the Buckeyes also overcame a furious comeback attempt by the Panthers in the game’s final two minutes to advance to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs for the third time in the last five years.
“It was just so cold, so miserable, windy and rainy, and Mabank really played great. They really competed hard. We got it done. That’s the name of the game to move on. I’m very proud of my kids right now,” exclaimed Traylor after the game.
The Buckeyes improved their record to 12-0 while the Panthers ended their season at 6-6. “We weren’t really sharp, but it was about what we expected coming after Liberty-Eylau,” explained Traylor, who admitted that it was difficult for the Buckeyes to match the emotions from last week’s big win over the Leopards. “I don’t think it would have mattered who was next because that Liberty-Eylau game was so physical; it was such a battle.”
The Panthers meanwhile had no problem getting motivated to face the state-ranked Buckeyes. “Mabank came into the game with the same energy level that we did against Liberty-Eylau,” said Traylor, who improved his career playoff record to 12-5 with the win.
Both teams got off to a slow start, thanks in large part to the weather. Gilmer took the opening kickoff and punted four plays later after usually sure-handed Houston Tuminello dropped a third down pass. Mabank also went three-and-out on their first possession, returning the football to the Buckeyes at their own 16-yard line.
After a 1-yard loss on the first play, Gilmer running back Justin Johnson took the next handoff and bounced outside, running down the left sideline 85 yards for the games first touchdown. Johnson also got the call on the successful 2-point conversion attempt, running the ball in from 3 yards out with only 1:27 off the game clock to give the Buckeyes a 8-0 lead.
The Panthers and Buckeyes traded punts again on the next two posessions before the Panthers tied the score at 8-8 on the first play of the second quarter when Mabank quarterback Kolton Browning capped off a 73-yard, 13-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 11:57 remaining in the second quarter, then passed to Jake Birch for two points.
Gilmer’s next possession started off promising when Tuminello made amends for his earlier drop with a spectacular 30-yard reception that put the Buckeyes at the Panthers’ 35-yard line. On the next play, Johnson picked up 7 yards to Mabank’s 28-yard line before two straight incomplete passes stopped the Buckeyes’ drive on downs.
Five plays later Browning hit Birch down the left sideline for a 67-yard touchdown with 8:34 to play in the first half. Michael Blackburn’s extra point kick was no good after hitting the left upright, but the Panthers led 14-8. “Their quarterback played as good of a game that could be played under those weather conditions,” said Traylor of Browning who finished 28 of 39 passing with 275 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions.
Traylor admitted that Browning’s execution in the bad weather forced a change in strategy for the Buckeyes. “We were going to take away the run and ignore the pass,” Traylor said. “It didn’t take us long to realize that he was on fire, so we had to readjust.”
And readjust they did, keeping Browning and the Panthers out of the end zone for almost 31 minutes until the junior quarterback led the Panthers to two touchdowns only 42 seconds apart late in the fourth quarter.
Traylor praised his defensive leaders. “Another great game by Ross Stevens; he had 19 tackles and recovered an onside kick,” said Traylor who also singled out the play of Michael Pierson, Devane Clark and Mikey Wilson. Pierson finished with 7 tackles and a sack, Clark had 9 tackles and a knock downed pass, and Wilson had 12 tackles and two sacks. While the Buckeyes’ defense adjusted to stop the Panthers, Gilmer’s offense changed their game plan to focus on the running game, rolling up a total of 361 yards and 5 touchdowns on 40 carries, much to the delight of Traylor.
“In order to win a championship you’ve got to be able to run the football, and this team can,” Traylor said. “We’ve had to run it under the toughest of circumstances for two weeks in a row.”
The Buckeyes’ ability to run the football allowed Gilmer to score the next four touchdowns, effectively ending the Panthers upset hopes.
Johnson led the way with 245 yards and 3 touchdowns on 25 carries. “It was a great challenge to come out here in the rain and the cold and handle the adversity,” said the Buckeyes’ senior running back who tied the score on a 24-yard touchdown run with 5:14 left in the half. Freshman kicker Adan Olivares gave Gilmer a 15-14 lead with the first of his three extra point kicks.
The Buckeyes’ Black Flag Defense set the tone for the second half, keeping the Panthers scoreless on their first three possessions, including two that ended on failed fourth down attempts by Mabank.
Gilmer’s first three second-half possessions proved to be the difference in the game, as the Buckeyes scored on all three to take a 35-14 lead into the final two minutes of the contest.
“It was really great,” said Stevens. “Momentum is a really big thing in the playoffs. We just came out and had a better start in the second half than they did.”
Johnson started things off with a 21-yard touchdown run with 8:25 to play in the third quarter, his third scoring run of the game. “You can’t say enough about him,” Traylor stated. “He’s a great back. He really wants to win a state championship.”
With the Buckeyes’ passing game on hold due to the weather, quarterback Darian Godfrey showed his dual-threat capability, rushing for 112 yards and the final 2 touchdowns on only 14 carries. “He was such a great leader,” praised Traylor about his sophomore signal-caller. “He competed so hard.”
Godfrey’s first touchdown came from only a yard out, finishing a 71-yard, 12-play drive with 10:23 to go in the fourth quarter.
Godfrey’s second touchdown run was spectacular. With the football at the Panthers’ 45-yard line, Godfrey caught the snap and rolled to his right, only to drop the ball at midfield. Godfrey picked up the wet football, side-stepped a would be tackler then reversed direction and headed down the left sideline to the cheers of the Buckeyes’ fans. Godfrey was hit about the 15-yard line, but managed to stay balanced, tip-toeing down the sideline and into the endzone with 4:37 remaining in the game.
Despite the 21-point lead, Traylor was not comfortable. “I knew, with the way their offense is, the clock wasn’t going to move and they had all of their time-outs, so three scores with three time-outs, you’re an onside kick away, and that’s what it ended up being.”
Mabank finally got back on the scoreboard with a 12-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Browning hitting Haydon Blair from a yard out with 1:52 to play.
On the ensuing onside kick, the Panthers were awarded the recovered football at the Buckeyes’ 46-yard line despite a Mabank player apparently touching the ball before it traveled the required 10-yard minimum.
Five plays later Browning connected with Blair on a diving touchdown catch in the back of the end zone. Blackburn’s extra point kick was good, cutting the Buckeyes’ lead to 7 points with 1:10 left in the game.
Gilmer’s Stevens recovered the next onside kick, giving the Buckeyes the football at the 50-yard line. Godfrey ran out the clock with three kneel-downs.
Traylor credited the win to his front five. “I was extremely proud of the offensive line,” commented Traylor. “Cody Lee had his best game of the year. Chip Elms’ snapping was great in that kind of weather.”
Traylor also praised his special teams’ snappers, holders and returners. “We had no turnovers again, and in those conditions that’s phenomenal.”
Traylor also wanted to thank the fans that showed up to cheer the Buckeyes in miserable conditions. “There were a lot of people up there. I was shocked. Those are the most diehard fans; it was amazing. We are very grateful.”
Lee, the senior lineman, summed up his feelings after the hard fought victory.
“It’s a blast! You work so hard all year long to try to go as far as you can in the playoffs; and to get beat in the first or second round is so hard. We’ve worked very hard over the year, so we should be here. It’s paid off, all the work that we’ve done.”
STATISTICS
Mabank Gilmer
21 First downs 19
28-40-3-0 Passing (c-a-td-int) 5-11-0-0
275 Passing yds 70
33-108 Rushes-yds 40-361
383 Total yds 431
26:45 Time of possession 21:15
7-45 Penalties-yds. 8-56
0 Fumbles lost 0
SCORE BY QUARTERS
1 2 3 4 T
Mabank 0 14 0 14 28
Gilmer 8 7 7 13 35
Special Teams Player of the Week - Brennan Thompson
Bounty Hunter of the Week - Brennan Thompson
Hector’s Wrecker - Zack Davidson
Black Attack - Cory Davison
Mirror Photos / Mary Laschinger Kirby
AS THE RAIN pours down, members of the Buckeye Band above celebrate a Gilmer touchdown during the Class 3A Division I Area game last Saturday afternoon between the Mabank Panthers and the Gilmer Buckeyes at Homer Bryce Stadium in Nacogdoches. Below, from left, Buckeyes Ross Stevens, Mikey Wilson, Damien Redditt and Dakota Hagler surround Mabank’s Kolton Browning in his backfield. The QB for the Panthers came up with two touchdowns in the final three minutes of the game to narrow the margin of victory, but Gilmer held on to win.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
BUCKEYE LINEBACKER Ross Stevens watches his teammates Vance Green and Paul Chesnut (11) pull down the Panther ball carrier as Gilmer shut down the Mabank attack in the third quarter during last Saturday’s 35-28 victory.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
JUSTIN JOHNSON splashes his way to his third touchdown Saturday in Nacogdoches as the Buckeyes rode the “Bus” to another playoff win, this time in the Area round at Nacogdoches against Mabank, 35-28.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
AFTER RECOVERING a fumbled snap, Gilmer’s Darian Godfrey eludes the tackle attempt of Mabank’s Zack Chavez before heading to the sidelines for a 45-yard dash to the end zone and what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown.
Overcoming what head coach Jeff Traylor called, “The toughest playing conditions I have ever played or coached in,” the Gilmer Buckeyes defeated the Mabank Panthers 35-28 Saturday at Stephen F. Austin’s Homer Bryce Stadium to stay alive in the Class 3A Division I area round.
With temperatures in the low 40s, driving rain and a brisk north wind, the Buckeyes also overcame a furious comeback attempt by the Panthers in the game’s final two minutes to advance to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs for the third time in the last five years.
“It was just so cold, so miserable, windy and rainy, and Mabank really played great. They really competed hard. We got it done. That’s the name of the game to move on. I’m very proud of my kids right now,” exclaimed Traylor after the game.
The Buckeyes improved their record to 12-0 while the Panthers ended their season at 6-6. “We weren’t really sharp, but it was about what we expected coming after Liberty-Eylau,” explained Traylor, who admitted that it was difficult for the Buckeyes to match the emotions from last week’s big win over the Leopards. “I don’t think it would have mattered who was next because that Liberty-Eylau game was so physical; it was such a battle.”
The Panthers meanwhile had no problem getting motivated to face the state-ranked Buckeyes. “Mabank came into the game with the same energy level that we did against Liberty-Eylau,” said Traylor, who improved his career playoff record to 12-5 with the win.
Both teams got off to a slow start, thanks in large part to the weather. Gilmer took the opening kickoff and punted four plays later after usually sure-handed Houston Tuminello dropped a third down pass. Mabank also went three-and-out on their first possession, returning the football to the Buckeyes at their own 16-yard line.
After a 1-yard loss on the first play, Gilmer running back Justin Johnson took the next handoff and bounced outside, running down the left sideline 85 yards for the games first touchdown. Johnson also got the call on the successful 2-point conversion attempt, running the ball in from 3 yards out with only 1:27 off the game clock to give the Buckeyes a 8-0 lead.
The Panthers and Buckeyes traded punts again on the next two posessions before the Panthers tied the score at 8-8 on the first play of the second quarter when Mabank quarterback Kolton Browning capped off a 73-yard, 13-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 11:57 remaining in the second quarter, then passed to Jake Birch for two points.
Gilmer’s next possession started off promising when Tuminello made amends for his earlier drop with a spectacular 30-yard reception that put the Buckeyes at the Panthers’ 35-yard line. On the next play, Johnson picked up 7 yards to Mabank’s 28-yard line before two straight incomplete passes stopped the Buckeyes’ drive on downs.
Five plays later Browning hit Birch down the left sideline for a 67-yard touchdown with 8:34 to play in the first half. Michael Blackburn’s extra point kick was no good after hitting the left upright, but the Panthers led 14-8. “Their quarterback played as good of a game that could be played under those weather conditions,” said Traylor of Browning who finished 28 of 39 passing with 275 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions.
Traylor admitted that Browning’s execution in the bad weather forced a change in strategy for the Buckeyes. “We were going to take away the run and ignore the pass,” Traylor said. “It didn’t take us long to realize that he was on fire, so we had to readjust.”
And readjust they did, keeping Browning and the Panthers out of the end zone for almost 31 minutes until the junior quarterback led the Panthers to two touchdowns only 42 seconds apart late in the fourth quarter.
Traylor praised his defensive leaders. “Another great game by Ross Stevens; he had 19 tackles and recovered an onside kick,” said Traylor who also singled out the play of Michael Pierson, Devane Clark and Mikey Wilson. Pierson finished with 7 tackles and a sack, Clark had 9 tackles and a knock downed pass, and Wilson had 12 tackles and two sacks. While the Buckeyes’ defense adjusted to stop the Panthers, Gilmer’s offense changed their game plan to focus on the running game, rolling up a total of 361 yards and 5 touchdowns on 40 carries, much to the delight of Traylor.
“In order to win a championship you’ve got to be able to run the football, and this team can,” Traylor said. “We’ve had to run it under the toughest of circumstances for two weeks in a row.”
The Buckeyes’ ability to run the football allowed Gilmer to score the next four touchdowns, effectively ending the Panthers upset hopes.
Johnson led the way with 245 yards and 3 touchdowns on 25 carries. “It was a great challenge to come out here in the rain and the cold and handle the adversity,” said the Buckeyes’ senior running back who tied the score on a 24-yard touchdown run with 5:14 left in the half. Freshman kicker Adan Olivares gave Gilmer a 15-14 lead with the first of his three extra point kicks.
The Buckeyes’ Black Flag Defense set the tone for the second half, keeping the Panthers scoreless on their first three possessions, including two that ended on failed fourth down attempts by Mabank.
Gilmer’s first three second-half possessions proved to be the difference in the game, as the Buckeyes scored on all three to take a 35-14 lead into the final two minutes of the contest.
“It was really great,” said Stevens. “Momentum is a really big thing in the playoffs. We just came out and had a better start in the second half than they did.”
Johnson started things off with a 21-yard touchdown run with 8:25 to play in the third quarter, his third scoring run of the game. “You can’t say enough about him,” Traylor stated. “He’s a great back. He really wants to win a state championship.”
With the Buckeyes’ passing game on hold due to the weather, quarterback Darian Godfrey showed his dual-threat capability, rushing for 112 yards and the final 2 touchdowns on only 14 carries. “He was such a great leader,” praised Traylor about his sophomore signal-caller. “He competed so hard.”
Godfrey’s first touchdown came from only a yard out, finishing a 71-yard, 12-play drive with 10:23 to go in the fourth quarter.
Godfrey’s second touchdown run was spectacular. With the football at the Panthers’ 45-yard line, Godfrey caught the snap and rolled to his right, only to drop the ball at midfield. Godfrey picked up the wet football, side-stepped a would be tackler then reversed direction and headed down the left sideline to the cheers of the Buckeyes’ fans. Godfrey was hit about the 15-yard line, but managed to stay balanced, tip-toeing down the sideline and into the endzone with 4:37 remaining in the game.
Despite the 21-point lead, Traylor was not comfortable. “I knew, with the way their offense is, the clock wasn’t going to move and they had all of their time-outs, so three scores with three time-outs, you’re an onside kick away, and that’s what it ended up being.”
Mabank finally got back on the scoreboard with a 12-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Browning hitting Haydon Blair from a yard out with 1:52 to play.
On the ensuing onside kick, the Panthers were awarded the recovered football at the Buckeyes’ 46-yard line despite a Mabank player apparently touching the ball before it traveled the required 10-yard minimum.
Five plays later Browning connected with Blair on a diving touchdown catch in the back of the end zone. Blackburn’s extra point kick was good, cutting the Buckeyes’ lead to 7 points with 1:10 left in the game.
Gilmer’s Stevens recovered the next onside kick, giving the Buckeyes the football at the 50-yard line. Godfrey ran out the clock with three kneel-downs.
Traylor credited the win to his front five. “I was extremely proud of the offensive line,” commented Traylor. “Cody Lee had his best game of the year. Chip Elms’ snapping was great in that kind of weather.”
Traylor also praised his special teams’ snappers, holders and returners. “We had no turnovers again, and in those conditions that’s phenomenal.”
Traylor also wanted to thank the fans that showed up to cheer the Buckeyes in miserable conditions. “There were a lot of people up there. I was shocked. Those are the most diehard fans; it was amazing. We are very grateful.”
Lee, the senior lineman, summed up his feelings after the hard fought victory.
“It’s a blast! You work so hard all year long to try to go as far as you can in the playoffs; and to get beat in the first or second round is so hard. We’ve worked very hard over the year, so we should be here. It’s paid off, all the work that we’ve done.”
STATISTICS
Mabank Gilmer
21 First downs 19
28-40-3-0 Passing (c-a-td-int) 5-11-0-0
275 Passing yds 70
33-108 Rushes-yds 40-361
383 Total yds 431
26:45 Time of possession 21:15
7-45 Penalties-yds. 8-56
0 Fumbles lost 0
SCORE BY QUARTERS
1 2 3 4 T
Mabank 0 14 0 14 28
Gilmer 8 7 7 13 35
Special Teams Player of the Week - Brennan Thompson
Bounty Hunter of the Week - Brennan Thompson
Hector’s Wrecker - Zack Davidson
Black Attack - Cory Davison
Mirror Photos / Mary Laschinger Kirby
AS THE RAIN pours down, members of the Buckeye Band above celebrate a Gilmer touchdown during the Class 3A Division I Area game last Saturday afternoon between the Mabank Panthers and the Gilmer Buckeyes at Homer Bryce Stadium in Nacogdoches. Below, from left, Buckeyes Ross Stevens, Mikey Wilson, Damien Redditt and Dakota Hagler surround Mabank’s Kolton Browning in his backfield. The QB for the Panthers came up with two touchdowns in the final three minutes of the game to narrow the margin of victory, but Gilmer held on to win.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
BUCKEYE LINEBACKER Ross Stevens watches his teammates Vance Green and Paul Chesnut (11) pull down the Panther ball carrier as Gilmer shut down the Mabank attack in the third quarter during last Saturday’s 35-28 victory.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
JUSTIN JOHNSON splashes his way to his third touchdown Saturday in Nacogdoches as the Buckeyes rode the “Bus” to another playoff win, this time in the Area round at Nacogdoches against Mabank, 35-28.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
AFTER RECOVERING a fumbled snap, Gilmer’s Darian Godfrey eludes the tackle attempt of Mabank’s Zack Chavez before heading to the sidelines for a 45-yard dash to the end zone and what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown.
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