By JOE DODD
The numbers are staggering: 43 consecutive district wins, 33 straight wins at home, nine undefeated district championships in a row. That’s what the Gilmer Buckeyes (9-0, 4-0 district) have on the line Friday when they host the Tatum Eagles (6-3, 4-0 district) at Buckeye Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
“We could lose it all in one game,” admitted Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor, who watched the Buckeyes lose their last district game in 2000 to these very same Tatum Eagles.
Gilmer’s senior-dominated team knows what is at stake when they face the Eagles. “It’s the district championship, the home streak, our last home game; it’s just everything in this last home game,” said senior Ben Griffith. “We’ve got to put it all into this one.”
Griffith is one of 29 seniors that set the tone for this Buckeyes’ class that is 45-4 since they entered high school. Three of those losses were in the playoffs to the eventual state champion.
“I’ve never had a senior class that has done as much as this group has,” said Traylor. “They’ve been beaten by the state champion three years in a row. They have a chance to be considered among the greatest groups in Texas high school football.”
This senior group is led by quarterback Stump Godfrey, who has played in every varsity game since his freshman year. That year, Godfrey started at safety for the Buckeyes’ defense, while backing up record setting quarterback G.J. Kinne on offense.
Now it is Godfrey who is breaking records. His 104 career touchdown passes ranks second in Class 3A to Kinne’s 132 and sixth best in all classifications. Godfrey has over 10,000 total yards as the Buckeyes’ signal-caller.
But Godfrey is far from being the only talent in this senior class who placed 11 sophomore starters on the Buckeyes’ state finalist team in 2007.
Now those same players will run onto Buckeye Stadium’s field to defend their home for the final time.
“This is it. They’ll never do that again,” said Traylor. “I still remember my last time; everybody does because you grow up your whole life wanting to do this, and then it’s just over.”
“I never thought this day would come,” admitted Godfrey. “It just came so fast. Coach Traylor always told us that this would happen, but I was too young to comprehend what he was saying. Now it’s here and it all makes sense.”
Traylor has told his seniors that even if they go on to play in college and beyond, this night will be special. “There’s nothing like playing with your buddies; playing in front of people who know you,” said Traylor.
“It’s going to be an emotional night and we just have to go out and play well,” Godfrey said.
Traylor has no doubt that his senior class will deliver. “They’ll respond. They’re going to be excited about their last game here,” said Traylor.
Part of the excitement for the Buckeyes will come in facing their toughest district opponent this season.
“It’s going to mean a lot because Tatum is 4-0 in district so it’s going to be a big game,” said senior receiver Daniel McLaren.
Tatum knows all about big games, as the Eagles appeared in three straight state championship games from 2005 to 2007. The last two seasons have not been kind to the Eagles, as they have struggled to an 11-9 record under coach Andy Evans.
“Our group of seniors did not win a game in the seventh and eighth grade, so this has been a long journey for them,” said Evans, who led Tatum to state titles in 2005 and 2006.
“What an honor it is for this group of kids to be playing Gilmer for the district championship. That speaks volumes for their character; their determination and drive. I’m really proud of them,” said Evans.
But Traylor is not convinced by the Eagles’ recent woes. “They’re still Tatum. Their kids are used to winning,” warned Traylor, who is 6-1 against the Eagles since taking the reins in Gilmer in 2000.
Traylor points to Tatum’s offense as reason for concern. The Eagles average almost 313 yards rushing per game.
“They run the ball well,” said Traylor. “13 [Brandon Woodard], 15 [B.J. Allen], and 7 [Desmond Fite] are the three kids you’ve got to watch out for.” Allen leads the way with 1,269 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Woodard has accounted for 919 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Fite leads the Eagles with 334 yards passing to supplement the Eagles’ ground attack.
“I think our two backs are special kids,” confirmed Evans about Woodard and Allen. “We’re obviously going to try to do what we do best; and what we do best is run the football.”
That should be an interesting matchup against the Buckeyes’ Black Flag Defense which has allowed only 105 yards rushing per game this season, along with less than 13 points per game.
If the Buckeyes’ offense can score their average of 57 points per game, the Eagles might be in trouble.
“I think this may be the best Gilmer team that I’ve ever coached against,” said Evans, who is 0-4 against the Buckeyes. “They’re very explosive on offense and I think it’s one of the better defensive teams I’ve ever seen them have.”
After limping to a 2-3 pre-district record, the Eagles found themselves down 22-0 at the half to Gladewater in their first district game before rallying for a 29-28 win. “That was the turning point in the season for us,” admitted Evans.
That come-from-behind victory propelled the Eagles to dominating wins over Bullard and Spring Hill and another comeback win over Chapel Hill for the chance at a district title against Gilmer.
“This is a great group of kids we’ve got,” praised Evans. “I feel like our kids are going to show up Friday night and they will give us everything that they’ve got and we’re going to do everything that we can to try and win.”
Godfrey promised that the Buckeyes’ senior class will do the same. “This is a great way to end your senior year. It’s a great feeling to go out and play in one of these types of game. It’s going to be a great game.”
GAME NOTES
• Gilmer has won more games than any other 3A team in the state since 2000
• Gilmer has never lost their final regular season game with Jeff Traylor as coach
• Gilmer has a 102-consecutive games scoring streak (last shutout: 10-0 @ Longview to Pleasant Grove, 2001)
• Gilmer’s 43-game district win streak is the fourth best all-time in class 3A (source: Joe Lee Smith)
• Gilmer’s 43-game district win streak is currently the longest among all schools in the state of Texas. (source: Joe Lee Smith)
• Gilmer has outscored their district opponents 1,992-405 during their 43-game district winning streak.
• Gilmer needs 40 points to break the school record of 554 points scored during the regular season by the 2006 team
• Gilmer has scored 70 or more points in three games this season. The school record is four games by the 1929 and 1930 Buckeyes
• Gilmer has scored 47 or more points in the first half four times this season
• Gilmer’s 515 points is the most points scored in all classifications.
• Gilmer’s 57.2 ppg average is the best in all classifications
• Gilmer’s 43.55 average margin of victory is best in Class 3A and second best in all classifications
• Gilmer’s Tristan Holt has scored 16 touchdowns this season including nine receiving, three rushing, three on punt returns, and one kickoff return for 1,107 all-purpose yards
• Gilmer quarterback Stump Godfrey needs 11 rushing yards to give him 2,000 for his career
• Gilmer’s Stump Godfrey needs two rushing touchdowns to pass Justin Johnson as Gilmer’s career leader
November 6- Tatum
Mascot: Eagles
Colors: Green & White
District: 17-3A
Enrollment: 443
2008 Record: 5-6, 2-3 district, Div. II Bi-district Finalist
2009 Record: 6-3, 4-0 district
Last meeting: 2008, Gilmer won 48-14
Series Record: Gilmer leads 13-6
Head Coach: Andy Evans (6th season, 64-15, 135-44 overall)
Returning Starters: 9 Offense/8 Defense
Did you know? Tatum was the last district opponent to defeat the Buckeyes with a 14-6 victory in 2000.
Bounty Hunter of the Week: Chase Spencer
Special Teams Player of the Week: Tristan Holt
Scout Team Players of the Week:
Jeremy McMillan, Offense; Hayden Stansbury, Defense
BUCKEYE TICKET LINE:
841-7777
LUNCH WITH THE COACH:
Noon Wednesdays, Buckeyes Booster Club meets at Gilmer Country Club
LIVE WEBCAST:
www.GilmerBuckeyes.com
From CBS 19:
Tatum vs Gilmer
The numbers are staggering: 43 consecutive district wins, 33 straight wins at home, nine undefeated district championships in a row. That’s what the Gilmer Buckeyes (9-0, 4-0 district) have on the line Friday when they host the Tatum Eagles (6-3, 4-0 district) at Buckeye Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
“We could lose it all in one game,” admitted Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor, who watched the Buckeyes lose their last district game in 2000 to these very same Tatum Eagles.
Gilmer’s senior-dominated team knows what is at stake when they face the Eagles. “It’s the district championship, the home streak, our last home game; it’s just everything in this last home game,” said senior Ben Griffith. “We’ve got to put it all into this one.”
Griffith is one of 29 seniors that set the tone for this Buckeyes’ class that is 45-4 since they entered high school. Three of those losses were in the playoffs to the eventual state champion.
“I’ve never had a senior class that has done as much as this group has,” said Traylor. “They’ve been beaten by the state champion three years in a row. They have a chance to be considered among the greatest groups in Texas high school football.”
This senior group is led by quarterback Stump Godfrey, who has played in every varsity game since his freshman year. That year, Godfrey started at safety for the Buckeyes’ defense, while backing up record setting quarterback G.J. Kinne on offense.
Now it is Godfrey who is breaking records. His 104 career touchdown passes ranks second in Class 3A to Kinne’s 132 and sixth best in all classifications. Godfrey has over 10,000 total yards as the Buckeyes’ signal-caller.
But Godfrey is far from being the only talent in this senior class who placed 11 sophomore starters on the Buckeyes’ state finalist team in 2007.
Now those same players will run onto Buckeye Stadium’s field to defend their home for the final time.
“This is it. They’ll never do that again,” said Traylor. “I still remember my last time; everybody does because you grow up your whole life wanting to do this, and then it’s just over.”
“I never thought this day would come,” admitted Godfrey. “It just came so fast. Coach Traylor always told us that this would happen, but I was too young to comprehend what he was saying. Now it’s here and it all makes sense.”
Traylor has told his seniors that even if they go on to play in college and beyond, this night will be special. “There’s nothing like playing with your buddies; playing in front of people who know you,” said Traylor.
“It’s going to be an emotional night and we just have to go out and play well,” Godfrey said.
Traylor has no doubt that his senior class will deliver. “They’ll respond. They’re going to be excited about their last game here,” said Traylor.
Part of the excitement for the Buckeyes will come in facing their toughest district opponent this season.
“It’s going to mean a lot because Tatum is 4-0 in district so it’s going to be a big game,” said senior receiver Daniel McLaren.
Tatum knows all about big games, as the Eagles appeared in three straight state championship games from 2005 to 2007. The last two seasons have not been kind to the Eagles, as they have struggled to an 11-9 record under coach Andy Evans.
“Our group of seniors did not win a game in the seventh and eighth grade, so this has been a long journey for them,” said Evans, who led Tatum to state titles in 2005 and 2006.
“What an honor it is for this group of kids to be playing Gilmer for the district championship. That speaks volumes for their character; their determination and drive. I’m really proud of them,” said Evans.
But Traylor is not convinced by the Eagles’ recent woes. “They’re still Tatum. Their kids are used to winning,” warned Traylor, who is 6-1 against the Eagles since taking the reins in Gilmer in 2000.
Traylor points to Tatum’s offense as reason for concern. The Eagles average almost 313 yards rushing per game.
“They run the ball well,” said Traylor. “13 [Brandon Woodard], 15 [B.J. Allen], and 7 [Desmond Fite] are the three kids you’ve got to watch out for.” Allen leads the way with 1,269 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Woodard has accounted for 919 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Fite leads the Eagles with 334 yards passing to supplement the Eagles’ ground attack.
“I think our two backs are special kids,” confirmed Evans about Woodard and Allen. “We’re obviously going to try to do what we do best; and what we do best is run the football.”
That should be an interesting matchup against the Buckeyes’ Black Flag Defense which has allowed only 105 yards rushing per game this season, along with less than 13 points per game.
If the Buckeyes’ offense can score their average of 57 points per game, the Eagles might be in trouble.
“I think this may be the best Gilmer team that I’ve ever coached against,” said Evans, who is 0-4 against the Buckeyes. “They’re very explosive on offense and I think it’s one of the better defensive teams I’ve ever seen them have.”
After limping to a 2-3 pre-district record, the Eagles found themselves down 22-0 at the half to Gladewater in their first district game before rallying for a 29-28 win. “That was the turning point in the season for us,” admitted Evans.
That come-from-behind victory propelled the Eagles to dominating wins over Bullard and Spring Hill and another comeback win over Chapel Hill for the chance at a district title against Gilmer.
“This is a great group of kids we’ve got,” praised Evans. “I feel like our kids are going to show up Friday night and they will give us everything that they’ve got and we’re going to do everything that we can to try and win.”
Godfrey promised that the Buckeyes’ senior class will do the same. “This is a great way to end your senior year. It’s a great feeling to go out and play in one of these types of game. It’s going to be a great game.”
GAME NOTES
• Gilmer has won more games than any other 3A team in the state since 2000
• Gilmer has never lost their final regular season game with Jeff Traylor as coach
• Gilmer has a 102-consecutive games scoring streak (last shutout: 10-0 @ Longview to Pleasant Grove, 2001)
• Gilmer’s 43-game district win streak is the fourth best all-time in class 3A (source: Joe Lee Smith)
• Gilmer’s 43-game district win streak is currently the longest among all schools in the state of Texas. (source: Joe Lee Smith)
• Gilmer has outscored their district opponents 1,992-405 during their 43-game district winning streak.
• Gilmer needs 40 points to break the school record of 554 points scored during the regular season by the 2006 team
• Gilmer has scored 70 or more points in three games this season. The school record is four games by the 1929 and 1930 Buckeyes
• Gilmer has scored 47 or more points in the first half four times this season
• Gilmer’s 515 points is the most points scored in all classifications.
• Gilmer’s 57.2 ppg average is the best in all classifications
• Gilmer’s 43.55 average margin of victory is best in Class 3A and second best in all classifications
• Gilmer’s Tristan Holt has scored 16 touchdowns this season including nine receiving, three rushing, three on punt returns, and one kickoff return for 1,107 all-purpose yards
• Gilmer quarterback Stump Godfrey needs 11 rushing yards to give him 2,000 for his career
• Gilmer’s Stump Godfrey needs two rushing touchdowns to pass Justin Johnson as Gilmer’s career leader
November 6- Tatum
Mascot: Eagles
Colors: Green & White
District: 17-3A
Enrollment: 443
2008 Record: 5-6, 2-3 district, Div. II Bi-district Finalist
2009 Record: 6-3, 4-0 district
Last meeting: 2008, Gilmer won 48-14
Series Record: Gilmer leads 13-6
Head Coach: Andy Evans (6th season, 64-15, 135-44 overall)
Returning Starters: 9 Offense/8 Defense
Did you know? Tatum was the last district opponent to defeat the Buckeyes with a 14-6 victory in 2000.
Bounty Hunter of the Week: Chase Spencer
Special Teams Player of the Week: Tristan Holt
Scout Team Players of the Week:
Jeremy McMillan, Offense; Hayden Stansbury, Defense
BUCKEYE TICKET LINE:
841-7777
LUNCH WITH THE COACH:
Noon Wednesdays, Buckeyes Booster Club meets at Gilmer Country Club
LIVE WEBCAST:
www.GilmerBuckeyes.com
From CBS 19:
Tatum vs Gilmer
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