By JOE DODD
The Gilmer Buckeyes’ lightning quick offense dominated the New Boston Lions Thursday night before real lightning sent the two teams home early in the final tune-up before the start of the regular season.
The Buckeyes scored six touchdowns in the controlled portion of the scrimmage and had just scored their first touchdown under game conditions when lightning lit up the sky around Lion Stadium, forcing officials to end the scrimmage.
“We really wanted to get to play game situation,” lamented Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor. “I hate going into Jasper without getting more game situation. We got a little bit, but not near what we wanted.”
The Lions didn’t get what they wanted either, as the Buckeyes scored early and often, racking up 574 total yards on 42 plays.
“I thought we were a lot sharper tonight offensively than we were against Atlanta; much sharper,” said Traylor.
After completing only 16 of 34 passes last week against Atlanta, the Buckeyes connected on 20 of 26 passes for 453 yards and 6 touchdowns against the Lions. Starting quarterback Stump Godfrey threw two of those touchdowns to Ben Griffith and one to Gus Osborne, while back-up signal-caller Braylon Webb hit Tristan Holt, Osborne and J.T. Beecham with scoring strikes.
Godfrey had the Buckeyes lone rushing touchdown on a 5-yard run and had a 70-yard touchdown run called back on a holding penalty away from the play. Gilmer finished with 121 rushing yards on 16 carries.
While Traylor was pleased with the offense’s improvement since the last scrimmage, he was unhappy with the progress of the defense. “I didn’t think we were near as physical on defense,” Traylor stated. “I think we took a step backward defensively. We played pretty well but I just didn’t think we had that intensity like we did against Atlanta.”
After holding Atlanta to only 70 total yards on 53 plays last week, the Buckeyes’ defense allowed 147 total yards on 43 plays to the Lions. Gilmer also forced 7 turnovers last week compared to only 2 against the Lions.
Traylor did admit that the Lions had something to do with the defense’s trouble. “They hit a few plays,” said Traylor. “They’re well coached. They do a good job coaching.”
The Buckeyes will face Jasper Friday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Nacogdoches; a regular season opener that can’t get here soon enough according to Traylor. “I can tell we’re ready to play a real game,” Traylor said. “I mean we’re not ready, but our kids need the excitement of a real game.”
LUNCH WITH COACH TRAYLOR
This feature of Gilmer Athletic Booster Club membership begins Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 12 noon at the Gilmer Country Club and will continue for the entire season.
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Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
SCORING THE FIRST touchdown of the scrimmage, Gilmer’s Stump Godfrey pushes into the end zone despite the efforts of New Boston’s Brandon Raney. Gilmer outpaced the Lions 6-0 in the controlled portion of the workout Thursday.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GILMER BACK Vance Green cuts around his blockers and heads up field past an empty-handed New Boston Lion during the abbreviated scrimmage there Thursday evening.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GRABBING AS BEST he can, a New Boston tackler puts a choke hold on Gilmer’s Gus Osborne and rides him out of bounds when the fleet-footed running back broke into the open during the controlled scrimmage Thursday.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
BUCKEYE RECEIVER Ben Griffith high steps into the end zone after breaking a New Boston tackle to score one of the six touchdowns Gilmer had in the controlled portion of the scrimmage. Lightning Thursday night cut short the game simulation phase.
The Gilmer Buckeyes’ lightning quick offense dominated the New Boston Lions Thursday night before real lightning sent the two teams home early in the final tune-up before the start of the regular season.
The Buckeyes scored six touchdowns in the controlled portion of the scrimmage and had just scored their first touchdown under game conditions when lightning lit up the sky around Lion Stadium, forcing officials to end the scrimmage.
“We really wanted to get to play game situation,” lamented Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor. “I hate going into Jasper without getting more game situation. We got a little bit, but not near what we wanted.”
The Lions didn’t get what they wanted either, as the Buckeyes scored early and often, racking up 574 total yards on 42 plays.
“I thought we were a lot sharper tonight offensively than we were against Atlanta; much sharper,” said Traylor.
After completing only 16 of 34 passes last week against Atlanta, the Buckeyes connected on 20 of 26 passes for 453 yards and 6 touchdowns against the Lions. Starting quarterback Stump Godfrey threw two of those touchdowns to Ben Griffith and one to Gus Osborne, while back-up signal-caller Braylon Webb hit Tristan Holt, Osborne and J.T. Beecham with scoring strikes.
Godfrey had the Buckeyes lone rushing touchdown on a 5-yard run and had a 70-yard touchdown run called back on a holding penalty away from the play. Gilmer finished with 121 rushing yards on 16 carries.
While Traylor was pleased with the offense’s improvement since the last scrimmage, he was unhappy with the progress of the defense. “I didn’t think we were near as physical on defense,” Traylor stated. “I think we took a step backward defensively. We played pretty well but I just didn’t think we had that intensity like we did against Atlanta.”
After holding Atlanta to only 70 total yards on 53 plays last week, the Buckeyes’ defense allowed 147 total yards on 43 plays to the Lions. Gilmer also forced 7 turnovers last week compared to only 2 against the Lions.
Traylor did admit that the Lions had something to do with the defense’s trouble. “They hit a few plays,” said Traylor. “They’re well coached. They do a good job coaching.”
The Buckeyes will face Jasper Friday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Nacogdoches; a regular season opener that can’t get here soon enough according to Traylor. “I can tell we’re ready to play a real game,” Traylor said. “I mean we’re not ready, but our kids need the excitement of a real game.”
LUNCH WITH COACH TRAYLOR
This feature of Gilmer Athletic Booster Club membership begins Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 12 noon at the Gilmer Country Club and will continue for the entire season.
THE ZONE: 'Super Six'
Longview News-Journal: Lobos, Buckeyes, Tigers ranked No. 1
No questions at quarterback for Buckeyes
Tyler Morning Telegraph: Texas Football Ranks 4 East Texas Teams as Tops in Its Class
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
SCORING THE FIRST touchdown of the scrimmage, Gilmer’s Stump Godfrey pushes into the end zone despite the efforts of New Boston’s Brandon Raney. Gilmer outpaced the Lions 6-0 in the controlled portion of the workout Thursday.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GILMER BACK Vance Green cuts around his blockers and heads up field past an empty-handed New Boston Lion during the abbreviated scrimmage there Thursday evening.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
GRABBING AS BEST he can, a New Boston tackler puts a choke hold on Gilmer’s Gus Osborne and rides him out of bounds when the fleet-footed running back broke into the open during the controlled scrimmage Thursday.
Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
BUCKEYE RECEIVER Ben Griffith high steps into the end zone after breaking a New Boston tackle to score one of the six touchdowns Gilmer had in the controlled portion of the scrimmage. Lightning Thursday night cut short the game simulation phase.
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