From the Longview News-Journal:
Buckeyes battle past Mexia
From the Tyler Morning Telegraph:
Gilmer wins scoring fest over Mexia
From the Waco Tribune-Herald:
No. 5 Gilmer ends Mexia's season in 50-36 shootout
From The Gilmer Mirror:
By JOE DODD
The Mexia Blackcats shredded the Gilmer Buckeyes’ defense for 372 yards and 29 points in the second half, but the Buckeyes’ offense more than matched the Blackcats with 487 rushing yards and 50 points as Gilmer held on for a 50-36 win Friday night at Tyler’s Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium in the Class 3A Division II Region III Area playoff game.
Down 28-7 at halftime, the Blackcats turned the ball over to sophomore running back Doug Gentry who stunned the Buckeyes’ defense with 324 total yards, including 252 rushing yards to lead the upset bid for Mexia. Gilmer countered with 100-yard rushing performances by Jeremy Jackson, Stump Godfrey and Marlon Granville.
“I’m just glad we’re moving on. Last time I was here, we lost in the second round.” said Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor referring to Gilmer’s 61-58 loss to Canton in the Buckeyes’ last playoff game at Rose Stadium in 2005.
Mexia showed Gilmer that they came to play on the game’s first two series as the Blackcats forced a quick three-and-out, stopping the Buckeyes on fourth down to take possession at the Gilmer 46-yard line. Mexia kept the Buckeyes’ offense off the field with a 5:54 drive lasting 12 plays before Mike Gamble scored from a yard out on fourth down. T.J. Sadler kicked the extra point to give the Blackcats a 7-0 lead with only 4:15 left in the opening quarter.
Trailing for the first time since their loss to Kilgore in week four, Gilmer responded with four consecutive touchdown drives on offense, while the Buckeyes’ defense stopped Mexia on three fourth down attempts, to take a commanding 28-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Gilmer’s Jackson and Godfrey did most of the damage as Jackson rushed for two of the touchdowns and Godfrey rushed for another. Godfrey and Jackson also hooked up on a touchdown pass to account for all of the first half scoring.
Jackson’s first touchdown run came from two yards out as the Buckeyes completed a 62-yard, 4-play drive to answer Mexia’s score only 53 seconds later. Adan Olivares kicked the first of six extra points to tie the score at 7-7 with 3:22 to play in the first quarter.
After taking over at the 50-yard line following a failed fourth down attempt by the Blackcats, Godfrey connected with Jackson from 20 yards out to give the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead just 37 seconds into the second quarter.
After stopping the Blackcats on downs at their own 22-yard line, Gilmer’s Jackson picked up 20 yards on two carries before Godfrey wowed the Buckeyes’ fans with a 58-yard touchdown run up the middle for a 21-7 advantage with 6:09 remaining in the first half.
Following Mexia’s only punt of the game, Gilmer’s next scoring drive started at their own 13-yard line. Jackson did the bulk of the work for the Buckeyes, gaining 62 yards on only four carries and scoring from a yard out with 1:53 to go in the half for the 28-7 lead.
Despite the 21-point lead, Gilmer’s Traylor was not comfortable at halftime. “You could just tell that they were a team that won’t go away,” said Traylor, who warned his team about the Blackcats’ last game. “I told them they were losing last week 12-0 at halftime. They are very well coached. Their coach is a good person. They’re not going to quit on this guy. Those are the exact words said to them at halftime.”
Even with Traylor’s warning, the Buckeyes’ players were not prepared for the Mexia comeback. “We didn’t come out very focused,” admitted linebacker Mikey Wilson. “Thought we had it in the sack and we didn’t.”
The Blackcats’ Gentry showed the Buckeyes what to expect the rest of the game when he scampered 49 yards for a touchdown on the sixth play of the second half. Mexia quarterback Trae Davis passed to Chris Miles for two points, closing Gilmer’s lead to 28-15 with 10:01 to play in the third quarter.
The Buckeyes’ offense sputtered on their first possession of the second half, punting into the end zone for a touch back.
Mexia’s next series ended when the Buckeyes’ Jonathon Rockwell recovered a Gentry fumble, giving the Gilmer offense great field position at the Buckeyes’ 44-yard line.
Gilmer’s offense couldn’t take advantage of the turnover, as three straight losses on running plays forced Gilmer to punt again, giving the ball back to the Blackcats at their own 28-yard line.
On the very next play, Gentry busted through the Buckeyes’ defense for 40 yards. Four plays later, Davis hit a wide open Chase Amick for a 19-yard touchdown pass to cut the Gilmer lead to only 28-22 with 1:55 to go in the third quarter.
Sensing an upset, the Blackcats attempted the first of three consecutive onside kicks, but Gilmer’s Daniel McLaren, D.J. Stanley, and Marlon Granville safely covered the kicks, giving Gilmer’s offense great field position throughout the rest of the game.
The Buckeyes’ offense responded with three touchdowns on their final four possessions to ensure the victory for the 11-1 team. “Defense saved us most of the season, and they weren’t playing so hot in this game and we had to come out and save them,” said Godfrey, who finished with 168 rushing yards and three touchdowns on only 15 carries.
Godfrey’s second rushing touchdown came from two yards out, ending a 3-play, 51-yard drive that took only 32 seconds and increased the Buckeyes’ lead to 36-22 following Godfrey’s 2-point conversion pass to Paul Chesnut with 1:23 remaining in the third quarter.
Mexia answered with a 9-play, 65-yard drive capped off by Gentry’s 1-yard touchdown run, to bring the Blackcats within a touchdown of the Buckeyes at 36-29 with 9:19 to play in the game.
Godfrey scored his final touchdown six plays later from three yards out to push the lead out to 43-29 with 6:38 to go in the game.
Gentry replied two plays later with a spectacular 59-yard touchdown run to cut Gilmer’s lead to 43-36.
Both defenses finally stepped up on the next two series.
Mexia stopped the Buckeyes on a big fourth down play at Gilmer’s own 43-yard line, when Godfrey was stopped a yard short of the first down marker, giving the Blackcats’ offense great field position and a chance to at least even the score with 4:26 left in the game.
Following a 6-yard run by Gentry, the Buckeyes’ defense stopped Miles for no gain and then dropped Gentry for a 3-yard loss, setting up a 4th and 7 at the Gilmer 40-yard line. On fourth down, Davis hit Amick on a pass, but the Buckeyes’ Tristan Holt made a clutch tackle, stopping Amick a yard short of the first down marker, returning the football to the Gilmer offense at their own 34-yard line.
The Buckeyes’ Marlon Granville put the game away with four straight runs covering 22, 8, 9 and 27 yards; the final run being a touchdown with 1:50 remaining on the clock for a 50-36 advantage.
Mexia’s Gentry responded with one final big run, gaining 42 yards on his final carry before Gilmer’s Chesnut sealed the victory with an interception as time expired.
Despite the 14-point win, Traylor was concerned by the play of his defense. “That was as bad a half of football, defensively, that we’ve ever played,” said Traylor, who improved his career record to 96-16. “I guess what disappoints me more than anything is that we have been playing such good defense that I didn’t see it coming. They have been what we’ve counted on all year; they’ve been our backbone.”
“Don’t beat them up too much. We’re going to address it and they’re going to get better,” promised Traylor. “My defense has been the strength of my team all year. They had one bad night.”
DARIAN ‘STUMP’ GODFREY goes airborne in successful pursuit of the end zone from two yards out during the third quarter of the Buckeyes’ Class 3A Division II Region III Area victory over the Mexia Blackcats last Friday night at TMF Rose Stadium in Tyler. Gilmer’s junior field general ran for three touchdowns in all and passed for another. The Buckeyes rolled to a 28-7 halftime lead, then in the second half outlasted the never-say-die ’Cats, who could come no closer than a TD in spite of their ‘nine lives.’ On Saturday afternoon in Lufkin, Gilmer (11-1) plays West Orange-Stark (10-0) in a regional semifinal game. The winner of that game will play the winner of the Carthage-Rockdale game being played Friday night in Corsicana.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
PAUL CHESNUT comes down with a game-ending interception for the Buckeyes for the second week in a row.
Galleries:
Buckeyes Vs Mexia Blackcats
Buckeyes vs Mexia
11-21-08 Gilmer vs Mexia High School football
From Prep Ticket:
Find more videos like this on PrepTicket
From KETK Tyler:
Gilmer beats Mexia
Coach Talks About Victory
FROM CBS 19 The Eye of East Texas (Click on Week 13 - Part 2 for Gilmer-Mexia highlights):
The Final Score High School Football Show
From KLTV Tyler:
Friday 11/21 HS Football Playoffs Highlights & Scores
The Buckeyes (11-1) move on to play the West Orange-Stark Mustangs (10-0) at Abe Martin Stadium in Lufkin on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 2:30 p.m.
Ticket information will be updated weekly on the Buckeye Ticket Line at 903.841.7777.
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From The Orange Leader:
Turning the table
WO-S ground attack buries Caldwell, 37-7
From the (Bryan-College Station) Eagle:
Caldwell falls to West Orange-Stark
From KBMT Beaumont:
WO-S Highlight Reel from Week Zero
From Maxpreps:
Gilmer High School
West Orange-Stark High School
West Orange-Stark vs. Gilmer Game Matchup
Buckeyes battle past Mexia
From the Tyler Morning Telegraph:
Gilmer wins scoring fest over Mexia
From the Waco Tribune-Herald:
No. 5 Gilmer ends Mexia's season in 50-36 shootout
From The Gilmer Mirror:
Buckeyes survive Mexia scare
By JOE DODD
The Mexia Blackcats shredded the Gilmer Buckeyes’ defense for 372 yards and 29 points in the second half, but the Buckeyes’ offense more than matched the Blackcats with 487 rushing yards and 50 points as Gilmer held on for a 50-36 win Friday night at Tyler’s Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium in the Class 3A Division II Region III Area playoff game.
Down 28-7 at halftime, the Blackcats turned the ball over to sophomore running back Doug Gentry who stunned the Buckeyes’ defense with 324 total yards, including 252 rushing yards to lead the upset bid for Mexia. Gilmer countered with 100-yard rushing performances by Jeremy Jackson, Stump Godfrey and Marlon Granville.
“I’m just glad we’re moving on. Last time I was here, we lost in the second round.” said Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor referring to Gilmer’s 61-58 loss to Canton in the Buckeyes’ last playoff game at Rose Stadium in 2005.
Mexia showed Gilmer that they came to play on the game’s first two series as the Blackcats forced a quick three-and-out, stopping the Buckeyes on fourth down to take possession at the Gilmer 46-yard line. Mexia kept the Buckeyes’ offense off the field with a 5:54 drive lasting 12 plays before Mike Gamble scored from a yard out on fourth down. T.J. Sadler kicked the extra point to give the Blackcats a 7-0 lead with only 4:15 left in the opening quarter.
Trailing for the first time since their loss to Kilgore in week four, Gilmer responded with four consecutive touchdown drives on offense, while the Buckeyes’ defense stopped Mexia on three fourth down attempts, to take a commanding 28-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Gilmer’s Jackson and Godfrey did most of the damage as Jackson rushed for two of the touchdowns and Godfrey rushed for another. Godfrey and Jackson also hooked up on a touchdown pass to account for all of the first half scoring.
Jackson’s first touchdown run came from two yards out as the Buckeyes completed a 62-yard, 4-play drive to answer Mexia’s score only 53 seconds later. Adan Olivares kicked the first of six extra points to tie the score at 7-7 with 3:22 to play in the first quarter.
After taking over at the 50-yard line following a failed fourth down attempt by the Blackcats, Godfrey connected with Jackson from 20 yards out to give the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead just 37 seconds into the second quarter.
After stopping the Blackcats on downs at their own 22-yard line, Gilmer’s Jackson picked up 20 yards on two carries before Godfrey wowed the Buckeyes’ fans with a 58-yard touchdown run up the middle for a 21-7 advantage with 6:09 remaining in the first half.
Following Mexia’s only punt of the game, Gilmer’s next scoring drive started at their own 13-yard line. Jackson did the bulk of the work for the Buckeyes, gaining 62 yards on only four carries and scoring from a yard out with 1:53 to go in the half for the 28-7 lead.
Despite the 21-point lead, Gilmer’s Traylor was not comfortable at halftime. “You could just tell that they were a team that won’t go away,” said Traylor, who warned his team about the Blackcats’ last game. “I told them they were losing last week 12-0 at halftime. They are very well coached. Their coach is a good person. They’re not going to quit on this guy. Those are the exact words said to them at halftime.”
Even with Traylor’s warning, the Buckeyes’ players were not prepared for the Mexia comeback. “We didn’t come out very focused,” admitted linebacker Mikey Wilson. “Thought we had it in the sack and we didn’t.”
The Blackcats’ Gentry showed the Buckeyes what to expect the rest of the game when he scampered 49 yards for a touchdown on the sixth play of the second half. Mexia quarterback Trae Davis passed to Chris Miles for two points, closing Gilmer’s lead to 28-15 with 10:01 to play in the third quarter.
The Buckeyes’ offense sputtered on their first possession of the second half, punting into the end zone for a touch back.
Mexia’s next series ended when the Buckeyes’ Jonathon Rockwell recovered a Gentry fumble, giving the Gilmer offense great field position at the Buckeyes’ 44-yard line.
Gilmer’s offense couldn’t take advantage of the turnover, as three straight losses on running plays forced Gilmer to punt again, giving the ball back to the Blackcats at their own 28-yard line.
On the very next play, Gentry busted through the Buckeyes’ defense for 40 yards. Four plays later, Davis hit a wide open Chase Amick for a 19-yard touchdown pass to cut the Gilmer lead to only 28-22 with 1:55 to go in the third quarter.
Sensing an upset, the Blackcats attempted the first of three consecutive onside kicks, but Gilmer’s Daniel McLaren, D.J. Stanley, and Marlon Granville safely covered the kicks, giving Gilmer’s offense great field position throughout the rest of the game.
The Buckeyes’ offense responded with three touchdowns on their final four possessions to ensure the victory for the 11-1 team. “Defense saved us most of the season, and they weren’t playing so hot in this game and we had to come out and save them,” said Godfrey, who finished with 168 rushing yards and three touchdowns on only 15 carries.
Godfrey’s second rushing touchdown came from two yards out, ending a 3-play, 51-yard drive that took only 32 seconds and increased the Buckeyes’ lead to 36-22 following Godfrey’s 2-point conversion pass to Paul Chesnut with 1:23 remaining in the third quarter.
Mexia answered with a 9-play, 65-yard drive capped off by Gentry’s 1-yard touchdown run, to bring the Blackcats within a touchdown of the Buckeyes at 36-29 with 9:19 to play in the game.
Godfrey scored his final touchdown six plays later from three yards out to push the lead out to 43-29 with 6:38 to go in the game.
Gentry replied two plays later with a spectacular 59-yard touchdown run to cut Gilmer’s lead to 43-36.
Both defenses finally stepped up on the next two series.
Mexia stopped the Buckeyes on a big fourth down play at Gilmer’s own 43-yard line, when Godfrey was stopped a yard short of the first down marker, giving the Blackcats’ offense great field position and a chance to at least even the score with 4:26 left in the game.
Following a 6-yard run by Gentry, the Buckeyes’ defense stopped Miles for no gain and then dropped Gentry for a 3-yard loss, setting up a 4th and 7 at the Gilmer 40-yard line. On fourth down, Davis hit Amick on a pass, but the Buckeyes’ Tristan Holt made a clutch tackle, stopping Amick a yard short of the first down marker, returning the football to the Gilmer offense at their own 34-yard line.
The Buckeyes’ Marlon Granville put the game away with four straight runs covering 22, 8, 9 and 27 yards; the final run being a touchdown with 1:50 remaining on the clock for a 50-36 advantage.
Mexia’s Gentry responded with one final big run, gaining 42 yards on his final carry before Gilmer’s Chesnut sealed the victory with an interception as time expired.
Despite the 14-point win, Traylor was concerned by the play of his defense. “That was as bad a half of football, defensively, that we’ve ever played,” said Traylor, who improved his career record to 96-16. “I guess what disappoints me more than anything is that we have been playing such good defense that I didn’t see it coming. They have been what we’ve counted on all year; they’ve been our backbone.”
“Don’t beat them up too much. We’re going to address it and they’re going to get better,” promised Traylor. “My defense has been the strength of my team all year. They had one bad night.”
DARIAN ‘STUMP’ GODFREY goes airborne in successful pursuit of the end zone from two yards out during the third quarter of the Buckeyes’ Class 3A Division II Region III Area victory over the Mexia Blackcats last Friday night at TMF Rose Stadium in Tyler. Gilmer’s junior field general ran for three touchdowns in all and passed for another. The Buckeyes rolled to a 28-7 halftime lead, then in the second half outlasted the never-say-die ’Cats, who could come no closer than a TD in spite of their ‘nine lives.’ On Saturday afternoon in Lufkin, Gilmer (11-1) plays West Orange-Stark (10-0) in a regional semifinal game. The winner of that game will play the winner of the Carthage-Rockdale game being played Friday night in Corsicana.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
PAUL CHESNUT comes down with a game-ending interception for the Buckeyes for the second week in a row.
Galleries:
Buckeyes Vs Mexia Blackcats
Buckeyes vs Mexia
11-21-08 Gilmer vs Mexia High School football
From Prep Ticket:
Find more videos like this on PrepTicket
From KETK Tyler:
Gilmer beats Mexia
Coach Talks About Victory
FROM CBS 19 The Eye of East Texas (Click on Week 13 - Part 2 for Gilmer-Mexia highlights):
The Final Score High School Football Show
From KLTV Tyler:
Friday 11/21 HS Football Playoffs Highlights & Scores
The Buckeyes (11-1) move on to play the West Orange-Stark Mustangs (10-0) at Abe Martin Stadium in Lufkin on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 2:30 p.m.
Ticket information will be updated weekly on the Buckeye Ticket Line at 903.841.7777.
Discuss The Game Here
Or Here
Or Here
(Registration required to post)
From The Orange Leader:
Turning the table
WO-S ground attack buries Caldwell, 37-7
From the (Bryan-College Station) Eagle:
Caldwell falls to West Orange-Stark
From KBMT Beaumont:
WO-S Highlight Reel from Week Zero
From Maxpreps:
Gilmer High School
West Orange-Stark High School
West Orange-Stark vs. Gilmer Game Matchup
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