Gilmer Buckeyes

By MARY L. KIRBY Six Buckeyes signed National Letters of Intent to play for universities Wednesday, Feb. 6, during National Signing Day. Two of the players, Justin Johnson and David Snow, were already in attendance at their respective schools, the University of Oklahoma in Norman and the University of Texas at Austin. Gathering with their family members in Buckeye Field House were Lamar Harris, Daniel Jenkins, Ross Stevens and Houston Tuminello. All but Stevens were signing with NCAA Division I Football Subdivision Schools, meaning that they may be going to post-season bowl games like their former teammates Tay Bowser, Curtis Brown and Manuel Johnson did this past winter. With the six, the number of players who have signed scholarships since Jeff Traylor became the Athletic Director is 45. Many of the early players signed with community colleges as Ross Stevens did Wednesday. Then, with the state championship run in 2004 and the signing of Manuel Johnson and some of his teammates, more...

By JOE DODD Six members of the Gilmer Buckeyes' football team have been named to All-State teams recently. “It reflects well on the program,” stated Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor. “I'm excited for our community and those kids.” Senior receiver Houston Tuminello was selected to the first team of both the Texas Sports Writers Association and the Associated Press teams. Tuminello set a team record with 15 touchdown receptions this past season, while catching 73 passes for 1,018 yards. Running back Justin Johnson received the biggest post-season honor for the Buckeyes when he was named the Co-Offensive Player of the Year in Class 3A by the TSWA. Johnson led Gilmer with 2,171 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns on only 203 carries. The senior was named to the TSWA first team, and the AP second team. Two of the offensive linemen who cleared the path for Johnson were also selected to the TSWA team. Senior guard David Snow, who recorded 120 pancake blocks while grading out at 82 percent, ...

LOGOS of the six schools of District 17-3A. By JOE DODD The University Interscholastic League's bi-annual realignment produced its usual surprises when it was released yesterday morning in Austin. The big surprise for the Gilmer Buckeyes was a move from Region II to Region III as a member of District 17-3A. Joining Gilmer in District 17-3A will be Bullard, Gladewater, Spring Hill, Tatum and Chapel Hill. The six schools combined for an impressive 50-23 record during the 2007 football season. Four of the six teams made the playoffs last season, including Gilmer and Tatum who were state finalists; Gilmer in 3A and Tatum in 2A. “Somebody very good is not going to make the playoffs in our district,” said Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor, who will bring a 34-game district winning streak into the season. “It's going to be tough,” admitted Traylor. The last district game that the Buckeyes lost was in 2000 to Tatum, who joins Gilmer in the same district for the first time since 2001. “We ...