Padilla Poll names eight Buckeyes to 4A Division II All-State first team

 By ELWYN HENDERSON

 Texas high school pollster Carl Padilla released his Coaches 2020 All-State Class 4A Division II team Wednesday and eight Gilmer Buckeyes made the prestigious team.  Players making the All-State team and their positions were Dylan Fluellen—WR, Mason Hurt—WR, Luke Watson—LB, Jett Jones—LB, Jaydon Griffin—DB, Brandon Tennison—QB, Jarot Ritter—OL, and Rohan Fluellen—Returner.  Congratulations, gentlemen!

We talked with Buckeye Head Coach and Athletic Director Alan Metzel after the poll was released to get his thoughts on the Buckeyes who earned the honors.  We first asked his thoughts about having so many players named to the First Team unit.

“It really, I think, speaks to the season that our guys had.  I think also, from the standpoint that the only team we lost to was Carthage, and the rest of the season was pretty convincing in most of our games.  I think the team reflected, as far as the people that were chosen, it reflects how good our team was this year.  That’s a credit to all eleven on offense and defense, and even special teams.”

Since we were talking with the coach, and a number of people have already inquired how the team will be in 2021, we asked if he agreed that the Buckeyes could well potentially be better in 2021.

“Well, I think that we have that opportunity and the reason I think that is when your team blazes a trail, so to speak, they’ve taken you to a place that allows the next group to go further.  You know, they’ve already cut down many of the obstacles in the way.  I think this year’s group did an awesome job of leading.  Yes, we will miss our seniors tremendously, but they did a great job of teaching how to lead, and if our guys that were younger will grab that mantle and the juniors that will be seniors continue to lead in the same way, we should go further.  It should be a step up.”

We concluded by asking Coach Metzel if there was anything additionally he would like to pass on to the Buckeye fans.

“Tell them that we miss the Friday night rush every week.  I couldn’t thank them enough for the super season and just the love that they showed all the time and we can assure them that these dudes are working hard in off season right now and the various sports that they are in to put us into a position to be even better next year.”

When you see any of the players who made the All-State team, make sure to congratulate them on being the best of the best in Class 4A Division II!

2020 Padilla Poll Coaches All State Team presented by Meca Sportswear at mecasportswear.net