buckeyefandom

VAN: Van has been maximizing their talents for years now, and doing a great job against the opponents on their schedule. Great coaching, kids play hard and execute what they do very well. Great town and local support, great people and Van should be extremely proud of their programs and their kids. REALITY: But let’s be real here. Van facing Gilmer is not a fair fight. From a talent perspective, the Vandals are a good 4A D2 team. But they are not on the same level as Gilmer. Records mean nothing as we all can look at the schedule and see who has played who. The honest truth is the class of 4A D2 this season is Carthage, Gilmer, Cuero and Celina (in that order). And then you have a talent drop off into the second tier teams. Van is probably somewhere between 10th and 15th state wide, which is certainly beyond respectable and a real accomplishment to be proud of. But the two heavyweights in 4A D2 both prowl the piney woods, and they will likely have their rematch again in Arlington in a few weeks. MORE REALITY: That said… Yes, it’s high school football and anything can happen on a given Friday. Especially in the playoffs. But these are Van and Gilmer teams whose DNA is #bEastTexas. They know and respect each other, and are very familiar with each other. They have seen each other come up through the ranks, and are close enough to have witnesses first hand the talent level and ability their opponents possess. And they are playing in their own neighborhood “sandlot” in Tyler. So a lot of external factors that usually pop up as outside influences in later round playoff games should not be very big issues this week. Both teams should be relaxed, comfortable and play close to the best of their abilities. And that is a problem for Van. RESPECTFUL HEADS UP: Much respect to Vandal Nation, as their team and talent level are conducive to their 12-0 record against the teams they have played. Congrats… But you have not seen anything this year in terms of physical ability as remotely close to what you will see Friday. Gilmer now is as physically deep and talented as they have been in 127 years. (Yes, I said it. And it is the truth.) GILMER…: These Buckeyes are a mature team, and it’s about time they decide this Friday how badly they want to go leave their mark in a storied history of great Gilmer squads. They are more than capable of bringing home a State Title and restoring Gilmer to “Elite” 4A status for the next decade or more. Their run last year was great, but that was a very young team, trying to find themselves and still learning to believe in their own potential. The 2020 Carthage team was in their head. And rightfully so, because they were a true juggernaut. Gilmer was embarrassed on a big stage, and it left a mental scar. But truthfully, for Gilmer last year to have beaten Carthage would have been an outlier, much like Van staying close to Gilmer this year would be. Beating Carthage in 2020 was simply out of reach, and Gilmer still has that mental mountain still to climb. … IS GILMER: But this 2021 Gilmer squad is just different. First, there is simply the raw talent level. It is deeper and better than ever, including 2006 (again…. Yes, I said it.). But like those incredibly skilled and talented group (who were 1 & Done to LE), it is simply about these young men deciding who they are and then playing up to their stratospheric ability. EXAMPLES: (and yes, spend some time on YouTube and go watch the film if you doubt me) Brandon Tennison is the most talented and polished QB to ever wear orange and black. Is he the WINNER Stump was? We don’t know yet. That 2009 Cuero game showed that Stump’s will as a champion is and was legendary. Is BT “that guy”? Is he “Superman” who simply will not allow his team or his town to bow a knee to anyone else, from anywhere else, as long as he is breathing? That is just who #10 was and is. #11? We will see soon enough… but as a runner, passer, decision maker, play maker… he is the best Buckeye QB ever. Stump, GJ, Manny, D-Mac, Tanner, Poppy, Luke, Jordan, and the list goes on and on. BT is his own person, and he will leave his own legacy, but he is the best we have ever had. That is a fact. Then there is Matt Burton. He is pound for pound the best defensive football player Gilmer has ever produced. And the Buckeyes have had some great ones. Demarco is close, but like Stump, what Demarco had in skill he had double in heart and leadership. At his age, #44 is more skilled. And bar none, he is the smartest, most explosive, most talented and tenacious defender the Black Flag has ever had. And Burton has some help up front in 56 & 54 who make that a trio of “Best Ever” talent up front. And there are some guys behind them that makes this version of the Black Flag very, very scary. “Best Ever” you say? The two juniors in Rohan Fluellen and Ashton Haynes are in the same class Gilmer as playmakers at their positions. Both are scary good. From Manny & Curtis to Kris and Blake, and from Bus and Gus to Houston, Lamar, and a long, long list of D1 and then NFL caliber guys… this skill group is more talented. I could reel off a dozen other names who are literal all state talents themselves on this roster. It is as deep and wide as it has ever been here. The hogs up front and bigger and badder than last year for sure, and likely more productive than even David and Cody’s group. So saying the depth of talent is the best Gilmer has ever produced and the best in the state, maybe through 4A D1 as well is not an exaggeration. STILL KIDS: But these are still kids, very talented kids who are learning to be men. They are still learning that they are the ones who will decide how they are remembered in the future. Like all the ones that came before them, it’s all about aligning the gray matter between the ears with the fast twitch matter below their necks. GREAT KIDS! As far as kids go, you will honestly never find a better group of quality character kids. That is true in Van as well. For both of these towns, they can walk into Rose Stadium Friday and walk out again no matter what happens in between being prouder to have produced kids like this off the field, than anything that happens on it. This time in their lives doesn’t last long, but the life lessons will. And some valuable ones await them all Friday no matter what. DECISION TIME: In Gilmer, could you take the past two seasons and point to some hard life lessons that came via the Field House? Sure. I’m sure that is true in Van too. But the time has come for the gridiron truth to reveal itself. For the 2021 Gilmer Buckeyes, it is time to decide who they are, who they want to be and how they want to be remembered. Van should hope the BUX procrastinate another week in that, but it likely won’t make much difference Friday. Gilmer is now more Gilmer than Gilmer has ever been. If they catch a mental edge, they will be the “Best Ever” on more than just paper. The 2006 Buckeyes have held the “most talented team ever” spot for a decade and a half now. We will now see how the new “Talent Title Holders” on Bradford Street decide to roll into their December. Their #OvO moment has arrived. PROGNOSTICATION: Enjoy the Turkey. Watch and hope the Cowboys are not “pulling a Cowboys” again this year on Thursday. Then we will all get up full and fat on Friday to see if these BUX are on a mere errand, or a Championship Mission. Best case for Van is they catch Gilmer in a tryptophan hangover and only get beat by a respectable 2-3 scores before heading to the gym. But if these incredibly deep and talented boys from Tater Town get “hungry” and lock-in, Van is the unlucky team that will be watching some of these guys from Gilmer play on Saturday (and Sunday) over the next decade, telling their buddies about that time in Tyler they shared a field with (insert names here). Just a warning. This could be ugly y'all. Don’t take anything personal and don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you are from Van, stay positive. If you haven’t watched any GILMER film, do yourself a favor and just don’t. (Especially not against PG 3 weeks ago. Yes, the PG that is good enough to still be playing after Thanksgiving, and may very well be next week too.) You have a great town and a great team. Gilmer has had our share of humble pie lately, and we know it’s not exactly tasty on a full stomach. But keep believing and supporting your kids. Your time will come too. You are on the right track. FRIENDLY REMINDER: To all (somewhat spoiled Gilmer Fans) who sense their team has had some “mental identity, focus and consistency issues” the past 3 games… your Buckeyes have outscored their opponents 194 to 59 so far with trophies on the line. So if that is what you call “unmotivated”, then whoever else is left in 4A D2 (including the Dawgs) better duck and cover if these Buckeyes decide “Their Best” is their standard. Because they boys from Tater Town are peaking at just the right time…. Here they come… SO… ARMY: (That means anybody even remotely associated with these Buckeyes). The excuses are over. If COVID was gonna be an issue outdoors, 30 minutes away, on a beautiful, sunny Friday Holiday afternoon, you’d be dead by now. So GET YOUR BUTT TO TYLER and GET YOUR DANDER UP & YOUR ARMY ON for the best version of your Buckeyes EVER! Yes…. You’re being called out! Your team on the field DESERVES your PASSIONATE SUPPORT! And off the field, you are cheating yourself if you don’t know these kids personally. They make you proud every day already. And if you don’t already know that, you are missing out. Now go show them how much you love your town and your team! If there is a Gilmer church choir or congregation that sings worth a crap Sunday morning, then you didn’t yell anywhere near loud enough Friday! And we will be listening for any and all non-hoarse voices and taking names! BTW, when we chant “Let’s Go Brandon!” we mean it both ways, as ours also wears #11 and actually delivers (first downs, touch downs and scoreboard beat downs). PREDICTION: Crystal ball says, Gilmer is going to be an elite team talent wise for the next 4-5 years. But this 2021 team is going to determine the mentality this program will adopt for the next decade. So I will predict a final score Friday somewhere in between, making an assumption that kids are kids and both teams play between “well” and “their best”: Gilmer 56 Van 24 210-CALLING-903: Let’s all pull for those Roadrunners down at UTSA Saturday too. Folks are starting to figure out nationally what we in Gilmer have known since the 1980s. Those Traylor boys never did quite know how to lose! BLESSINGS: Celebrate your blessings! Be grateful for your communities and your kids! Be blessed and be present in who you are and where you’re from! See ya Friday. #BirdsUp & #GoBuckeyes

GREAT game! Celina overcame 5 turnovers and got three of their own... Most importantly, they turned two of them into 14 points on pic6 TDs. NO team should be able to spot an opponent 14 points and advance. Congrats to Celina. Proud of the Buckeyes... Much to learn and build on from this season!!!

Almost time! Doing the research this week, Celina has sure put a lot of emphasis on last year's game. "Rematch, Revenge, Retaliation". Celina must protect the QB, take care of the football and stay balanced. Gilmer must pressure the QB, cover and get off the field on 3rd Down. But the matchup of the game is Celina QB vs Gilmer D. I think the question is, can Celina put up 30 against Gilmer's D and can Gilmer's offense take care of the ball enough to score 30? I predict a lower scoring game than people think... Gilmer wins 34-29.

Gilmer has not lost on something crazy like 6 years when they have scored 30+ points. I think this is simple math... If Gilmer gets > 50 offensive snaps and scores 30 points they will have to turn it over several times for Celina to be even close. ATL had a much better running game than Celina, but we're really 1 dimensional. Celina will be balanced and try to lean on their passing game because Gilmer WILL stop the run. For both teams, It will be about: 1) Stopping the run 2) Pressurind the QB 3) Covering and creating turnovers Don't be surprised if Special Teams is the difference in the game. I believe there are really 2 State Championship Games next week... Because Cuero and WOS will be a wad down south, while this will be a war up north. Whoever is healthiest between the two winners will have a significant advantage... But I smell a rematch!

I agree 100%. Especially in the Final 4. Everyone left is good and capable of winning the next game... But the winner has to actually go and do it.

I think from our side we would all agree fundamentally with your argument. And frankly, I prefer the role of "Underdog" we have seemingly been given the last 3 weeks due to the exact same argument you are making. And I also believe that Celina and Gilmer this year will be an all out war. I just think Gilmer fans who have been paying close attention the last 10 years or so realize that this year's team is an anomaly. We should be and were expecting to be "Rebuilding" this year. We lived through 2005 after the 2004 State Title run. We lived through the 2010 season after the 2009 Title run. We expected something similar this year after last year. Yet here we are, 14-0... and we all recognize we have yet to see the 2015 Buckeyes play their best football. Will Gilmer beat Celina Friday night? I think any honest Gilmer fan after watching this season so far would say "We have no clue!" Why? Because we have no indication that the offense wearing our uniforms will come out and give up 7 turnovers or score 70 points! We do know this... We may have the best defense we have ever had... Ever. We have the most dominant defensive player we have ever had... Ever. So this is uncharted territory for us Buckeye folk... Unsure of our offense. We are used to saying... "We may give up 50, but we may put up 70!" Not now. Against Atlanta, our OFFENSE gave up all the points Atlanta had. A pic 6, another pic returned inside our 10, and a third that our defense simply stuffed. So yes... 2015 Celina is good... Really good... And you should be as undefeated Regional Champs. You beat Argyle... You played your best game? How much upside did you leave out there? We beat LE, Carthage, Bullard, Center, Atlanta... And we know we have not even come close to playing our best. (Heck, we would have settled for "OK" in several of our games!). So be confident... Watch our Pleasant Grove film, our Bullard film, etc. But just know that the team you see on film may not even resemble the team you will see Friday night. That makes us VERY nervous! But it should make you VERY afraid!

Luke "Bob" Turner is Walking, Talking Buckeye P.R.I.D.E. He is the guy you want to call your best friend, the guy you want your daughter to one day bring home, and the guy you want your son to grow up to be.

How about Gilmer... Reason... Every time Celina has played them this century?

I have a lot of respect for Casual and enjoy your posts, but I disagree. LaMarcus, Devin, DeMarco, Cambron, Kelton, Zod, Red, Desmond, Ryan, Cameron... Gilmer's "Skill Kids" are as fast and explosive as they have ever been. Nothing changed there. The only difference is two fold: 1) The QB...Zac has actually played great considering what he has been asked to do. He is the same "Type" of QB McClain was for us last year... (Not same "Calibur"... But same "Type"). In other words, he is not "Dual Threat"... And that is the part of Gilmer's offense that is missing this year. Opponents will try and get pressure on him and force him into mistakes by collapsing his protection. When Zac has been well protected, he has been just fine. But Gilmer fans are accustomed to seeing a Stump or Luke back there who got really dangerous when they pulled the ball down and ran. That's not what Zac has been asked to do... Last year, Gilmer kept defenses honest with Blake rotating in at QB and being that "Threat" with his feet. And Gilmer is sorely missing that. What it allows defenses to do is rush 5, blitz with one from different positions, and cover with 5 guys. When there is no time to go down the field, you now force the QB to escape and create... And Zac is not that guy. So offensively, Gilmer has always dictated to the defense and said "Pick your poison". This year, defenses are saying "Pressure Zac and cover for 2-3 seconds... And then mistakes will come". Gilmer fans say "Just run the ball!" But with 9 guys within 8 years of the LOS, you can slant to Gilmer's tendencies and what you get was last night. After 2 series, DeMarco started cutting back against the slant and started finding gaps, then Cambron and Kelton did the same. Remember us marching down the field and forcing ATL to start crashing their D-Ends to stop us in the 4th qtr? That was the chess match between Coach Metzel and their D-Cord. Alan got the best of him in the end, but he is not playing with the same weapons at his disposal as last year (and usual)... Not because we don't have the athletes or the speed, but because defenses are increasingly dictating to our offense, and not vice versa. This is why Jeff always played his best athlete at QB. Case in point, 2004. Our O-Line is a ton bigger and better than in 2004... But when you have Manuel (or Stump/GJ/Luke... Take your pic) that is most dangerous when the play breaks down, it all looked a LOT different to the fans... When the truth is, it is better now both on the O-Line and with our Depth and talent level of athletes at the skill positions than it was then. I would LOVE to see us come out with a "Package" like we had last year with Blake. I have no idea who that guy would be, but the exact same coaches who did it last year are there now, so I must conclude we don't have that guy. And I PROMISE you, some pretty smart guys who coached and developed every one of those All State QBs listed above feel like Zac at QB gives us our best chance to win... Otherwise, you'd see something different. And what we see offensively may be unsatisfactory to us, but it is 14-0 and has us 8 quarters away from back2back titles. So any logical person (fan, parent or casual observer) must conclude that the plan is working! 2) As some fans from different teams have alluded to, depth is what makes Gilmer so hard to beat. You have lots of kids playing 2-3 positions, but nobody plays more an 70 or so snaps. And again, this marathon through about 22 miles Gilmer has run has been brilliant strategically thus far. So if the objective for the first 22 was to put yourself in the best position to win in the last 4, mission accomplished! We should all realize that not a single thing in Gilmer has changed in 15 years now. Not philosophically, not strategically, not in terms of coaching style nor preparation. Not even in the development or natural ebb and flow of the talent level year in and year out. This same staff has been here the entire time the past decade, and have been the key guys since Jeff came in 2000. And if Jeff were still here, it would not look one bit different than what we see now. We would have just been "Politicked" better and Jeff would have us all convinced that these kids are playing way over their heads, that we shouldn't be here, that we should all be grateful that these kids are playing beyond their abilities, and that there is "Buckeye Magic" in the air. All while convincing the kids they are destined to raise the bar one notch higher than ever before for the Program. And that part is still happening... I just think since the same coaches are still doing all the things they have always done, nobody really is paying any attention to what we think from the outside looking in since Jeff is gone Quite frankly, I don't really think they care... And rightfully so! Although I do think Matt will learn after this year (no matter what happens Friday night) that although he hates the "Politics", it comes with the territory and he will have to spend SOME time doing it. As for now, I would say this... 14-0 and the same guys who have built about the best HS program in the nation the past 15 years are still there pulling the strings. There are 8 quarters left to play to get to their goal. As Casual said earlier, in August I thought we might be a 6-5 or at best 10-2 type team this year. Yet here we are at 14-0! And those guys burning the midnight oil over on Bradford Street tonight and every night between now and next Friday have a pretty good track record against Celina since they got here. So y'all keep doubting... Keep griping.... Keep complaining.... Keep screaming instructions from the stands.... Cause at 14-0 obviously... IT AIN'T BROKE. So let's NOT FIX IT now! KEEP it up! It's working! I'll take the 15 year track record our guys have amassed and put it up against anything wearing all Celina orange every day this week and twice on Friday! Hide and watch y'all... It'll be a war Friday. Celina is as good as we'll see for sure. They should be. They have gotten this far undefeated too! But the Champs are still standing! Nobody in that field house in Celina has ever beaten Gilmer. And nobody on Bradford Street has ever lost to Celina! Most importantly, in order to BE the Champs, Celina will have to BEAT the Champs! Carthage, LE, Center, and now Atlanta all played really well and took their shots... And came up short! Celina beat Argyle... Great. But you have not beaten Gilmer! Think hard Bobcats... How many times have you seen this movie and left disappointed? Really... Go ahead and think Gilmer is the underdog... That Gilmer this year is worse than last year and Celina this year is better than last. You may be right.... But thinking it does not get it done. We'll see you Friday when you can TRY and make your opinion official....

+1! Thing is, Gilmer has not played their best game as of yet IMO. Who knows which Gilmer is getting off the bus each week, but down to the Final 4 it is all about being your best RIGHT NOW! Gilmer has been "Good Enough" to get to the Semis... But we have not seen their "Best". And that is the one thing that should make Buckeye fans excited for Friday night!

Why any of you think this guy is from Gilmer is beyond me... He is a self-admitted troll on here purposefully to try and make Gilmer look bad. Clue in folks! If you really believe this guy is a legit "Born and Raised" Buckeye, I have an oceanfront lot in Colorado you have GOT to see! When a seven year old demands attention, ignore him!

True. And good point. But I do not think Argyle has the caliber of athletes Gilmer has... That has always been Celina's downfall against Gilmer. The Cats are disciplined, exceptionally well-coached and execute well. But Gilmer has always seemed to have kids who were just better physically, but also disciplined and well-coached... So the better athletes just won out, all else being equal. Gilmer has some D1 Studs as usual... But will the Bux play mistake free and not hand Celina that one extra turnover, penalty, blown coverage, etc that will cost them? The honest answer? Nobody knows!!! But I am confident in saying Celina will be at their best, which means if Gilmer is not playing A+ football on every play for 4 quarters, our athletes and depth may not be enough to save us. We give Celina a Pic 6, a Pic return inside the 10, another pic to turn a potential game breaking drive back into a close contest, untold unforced errors in penalties like we did tonight? Then you best believe Celina will make us pay, and pay dearly. To stay Champs, Gilmer is going to have to start playing like State Champs, and RIGHT NOW! Otherwise, we should be knocked off in the State Semi-Finals. GREAT teams are all that's left... So Gilmer must either BE great, or we will BE gone. Same is true for everyone else left standing. I'll just say that if you told me in August we'd be 14-0 and heading to the final 4? I would have not believed it... But now that we are here, I just hope Santa brings us $2 worth (that is 8 quarters) of our best football! Because that may just be enough for some more Christmas Jewelry!

As always, Gilmer will have a target on their back as big as the Metroplex. We are everybody's Super Bowl, everybody's "Revenge Game", and everybody's King of the Hill to knock off. That's the price Champions must pay. No, this is not the 2014 Buckeyes! But the 2015 Buckeyes are 14-0... Have won 30 games in a row, and I STILL do not think they have come close to playing their best game. Tonight against ATL? The Black Flag was flying high! DEFENSE wins Championships, and I think Gilmer has the best Defense in 4A Football as long as #5 is breathing and on the field. But I think WOS- Cuero (Who I think is the sleeper of the teams left and will win tomorrow) will be a WAR, just as I think Gilmer Celina will be a WAR! The fact is, there are 8 more quarters left for the Champs this season, and they will play the best during those 96 minutes. Who can get hot... Create big plays...Win the turnover battle...Win the Special Teams phase... Limit Mistakes... Get Lucky here and there and find a way to win. Gilmer has done just that... And all without playing their best football yet. Can they play their BEST 6 out of 8 of those quarters? Well, it may take 7 out of 8 or more... But those other 1 or 2 when they are NOT... They cannot beat themselves. For 14 games deep, Gilmer is the most schizoid undefeated team I have ever seen. They have more personalities than Herschel Walker. I cannot honestly tell you what to expect from week to week. But here they are... State Semis... where anything can happen now! Let's just hope the Buckeyes find themselves for at least 3 of the 4 quarters next week... Play their BEST for 3 and then not find a way to beat themselves in that other quarter. If they do, they have a chance to defend their crown. If not, Celina will not be PG or ATL and let Gilmer get away with skitzoid... Gilmer matches up well with Celina. They have better individual athletes and more of them, and Celina has not faced anyone all year like Gilmer, nor teams the caliber Gilmer has faced and beaten in LE, Carthage, Bullard, Center or ATL. But Celina is capable of beating Gilmer (as are any WOS, Cuero or Stinton) especially if Gilmer doesn't cut out the skitzoid "Sybil" routine they seem to habitually land in. They are due for a "Great Performance"... And that's what it will take from here on in... And that is as it should be in the Final 4. There are no gimmes for anyobody in 4aD2 the rest of the way. But a new Champ is gonna have to beat the Old Champ, our #5 and come and take a Black Flag to do it. And that is gonna be a tough task! Only 2 things matter now... 1) We keep winning... 2) the NEXT play! But Oh, what we would not give for an 18 wheeler full of Abilify to be delivered on Bradford Street this week so we could just see 4 quarters of strong, solid, "Best you can be" Buckeye Football! It's just remarkable we are still here. But I'll take it and look forward to another week!

It's a brand new season folks... 18 more days to prepare and live throu, 3 games... 12 quarters left to win... 8 teams left standing, and everybody is 0-0. This deep into the playoffs, it's as much a mental game as it is physical. Time for the "Big Time" players to step up and shine. And unlike in previous years, I think you can make a case for any team left getting hot and making a run. There is a reason that the 8 teams left ARE left. They all have talent, they all have a game-plan and they are all very capable of beating each other. But it is the team that executes best, wins one play, one series, one possession, one quarter, one half, one game at a time that will be left standing in a few short weeks. Should be a fun ride!!!! I am just grateful that my team is still playing. And I am confident in saying I do not believe they have played their BEST as of yet this season. It's December. It's time. Do or die... PRIDE Time Bux... Call up the Army... Let's roll Fam!

Obviously, Gen Kinnard was a Buckeye fan... as NUTS is exactly what we are!

For instance... Self admitted. "And I promise you there is no one in here from my community...". NOT a Buckeye... This poster also predicted and gloated about Gilmer getting rolled by the last two opponents. Seriously folks... Don't fall for this BS with people passing themselves off as Gilmerites when they are even telling you in their own words they are not. Gilmer posts attract more trolls than a Hobbit movie!

See my last post...

I agree... But I am also pretty sure there a lot of folks on here who represent themselves as "Gilmerites"... But who are in truth, no such thing. And yes, a couple of them can be found in THIS thread. They suffer from hyper "Buckenvy"... So they come on here and gloat on Saturdays about how they are Gilmer fans, but by Wednesday they are saying the same lame things again... Riling up a whole new set of opponent supporters and fronting like they are us. Let me just say that if you are naive enough to fall for that, you should not be posting on here or anywhere else. Check people's history and posts before you answer any asinine comments. Also a hint... If the post sounds like a 3rd grader sent it, a third grader probably did. Sad, but true... Any moron can come on here and say they are from anywhere... Just remember that before you go thinking these pretenders represent Gilmer or our fans in any way... You're being conned.

Now, now kids... Let's get it back on topic here. Gilmer vs Atlanta. Atlanta will take their shot at beating the Buckeyes the old fashioned way... By running the ball, running the clock, and shortening this down to as few plays and possessions for Gilmer as possible. Gilmer is going to counter by trying to get out to an early lead and play from the front. Gilmer is practically unbeatable when they score 30+ points. Atlanta will try and make them do that withe limited possessions. Keys to the game: 1) Down and distance for Atlanta on 2-3rd down. Gilmer has the best front 7 Atlanta has seen, but that won't change Atlanta's game plan. They will run it and run it and run it some more. Gilmer must get penetration and Demarco must take over this game. So 2nd and 8 or more = chances for 3 and outs, which = more Gilmer possessions. 2nd and 6 or less = Atlanta doing what they need to do to stay ahead of the chains. So if there was ever a time for Gilmer to come out of their 50 style Defense, go straight man in the secondary and bring A Gap pressure on run blitzes on 1st downs especially, this is it. 2) Turnovers. +2 for Atlanta and they can limit Gilmer to 21 points. That's about where they will have to be to win. Gilmer could be -1 or better and still win, but every time Gilmer can get off the field on 3rd down... They better do it. A long 7:00+ drive for Atlanta that ends in points is just like a Pic 6 for them. You limit Gilmer's touches, keep them under 21 points, and pressure their QB. That's the formula Atlanta will follow to dethrone the Buckeyes... If turnovers help do that, great. But lose 1-2 and give Gilmer easy points and it's almost impossible to beat the Bux with a 1 dimensional offense. 3) Special Teams. Most fans do not keep track of +/- yardage on special teams... But for this game. , you may wanna Google up some instructions and keep track. All other things being equal, this game will come down to field position and time-of-possession. A field goal or extra point could also send you home... So the tighter the score and the longer it stays close, the more Atlanta will have to WIN this phase of the game to knock off Gilmer. In the end, we are now 4 rounds deep. Nobody left standing is a Gimme... and we should all hope that everybody stays healthy and plays their best. For the A-Rabs to win, they must control the line of scrimmage, possess the ball and keep Gilmer's defense on the field chasing rabbits (literally). They are looking to play Gilmer like Carthage did and get out with a 29-22 type win limiting Gilmer's offensive plays and holding them to 3 scores maximum. For Gilmer to win, they need to grab an early lead, stuff the run and get off the field on 3rd downs. I think Atlanta will try to mix it up on defense and try to limit Gilmer's explosive plays. I think they will play 2 deep safeties, keep everything in front of them and make Gilmer's QB beat them with his arm, while picking their spots to get pressure on him. The weather should be clear and pleasant Friday, and the Buckeyes will have to get themselves over the "Dropsies" they had last week. If they can win the toss, score quickly and get 14 points up in the 1st quarter, look for Gilmer to pull away with a 42-21 type win. Now... Feel free to kill all the adolescent name calling and shoot holes in those arguments... Somebody from the Atlanta side tell me something I don't already know about watching Atlanta for the last decade??? I assume still big, strong, fast, and addicted to 3 running plays... The sweep, the counter and the trap (and the cloud of dust that comes with it).

Good assessment! But I have finally figured out what is bugging me (and maybe all of us Gilmer fans) about these 2015 Buckeyes... WE ARE JUST WAY TOO FRIGGIN POLITE! I don't mean on these ridiculously entertaining messaging boards. I don't mean how fans treat other fans on here or elsewhere. I don't mean players or coaches on the field during plays after the whistle blows. I mean we have no "Killer Instinct"! Last night Gilmer went up 2 TDs early after coming out focused, and utterly dominant... Blood was in the water and Center was on the verge of implosion... And then what did we do? We relaxed... Plain and simple. Fans relaxed, players relaxed, coaches relaxed... And the next thing you know, Center gets up off the mat and finds a way to go in at the half down only one score. No offense to Center, but in the first quarter, Gilmer came out and played up to their ability. And when Gilmer does that, good luck to ANYBODY trying to knock off the Champs. But herein lies the warning Buckeyes... Just like America, or any other great power in history that rises up to be a dominant force... Destruction comes from WITHIN! We have all become WAY too accustomed to winning, success, and "Ho-Hum... We're gonna win another game." When challenged? Sure, the Black Flag responded and turned a 1st and Goal into 4th and Goal from the 20... But if they can do THAT, then why allow Center to score at all? Why wasn't this the 40+ point blow-out that it "Almost" turned into? COMPLACENCY.... That's why. This is the 3rd round of the playoffs!!! Where is the hunger!?!?!? Where is the passion!?!?!?! (I'm not just talking players here... "Buckeye Army"? More like a Tuesday night dance down at the VA Hall!). I watched Center and I was reminded of the 2003 feeling we had in Gilmer... When we were so hungry for the idea of even playing in December, that even down 2 TDs with 1:06 left Center fans were still on their feet cheering their kids. And the appreciation Center's kids were showed by their fans in defeat reminded me of how Gilmer got here... And that thought was truly humbling. More importantly, it reminded me of what is missing. The rest of "IT" is there. Talent, Kids, Program, Coaching, Facilities...We all helped our coaches build it with our rabid support and passion. The kids from 2000 until now with Buckeye PRIDE exceeding our expectations made us want to match that effort, and so we went "NUTZ"... Now? No way to sugar coat it... We are spoiled rotten. The last 3:00 of halftime was like a funeral service. And yet was there any really ever any doubt as to who was going to win the game? I will tell you this Buckeyes... Players, coaches, fans, alumni, everybody remotely associated with the Orange and Black... WE OWE OURSELVES BETTER THAN LAST NIGHT! Our kids have worked too hard, our coaches have worked too hard, and we as "Buckeyes" have spent too much time, money, passion and energy to allow ourselves to accept "Ho-Hum"! What we have done since the greatest comeback in Texas High School Football History in the second half of last year's State Title Game will be "As good as it gets" ONLY IF WE LET IT BE!!!! That was the last time we were really "An ARMY of BUCKEYES!" From here on in, it's not our kids and coaches alone who have to show up and play up to their potential. It's all of us... And if we don't? We're gonna get something far worse than what we deserve... We are going to sit and watch what was built on the blood, sweat and tears of the past 15 years be taken from us while we take our complacent, ungrateful, complaining, pessimistic, spoiled rotten rear-ends back to a place and time when Gilmer was just another little dot on the map that nobody that wasn't from there ever heard of.... Remember that Buckeyes? Remember what it was like driving up to old Cowboy Stadium and thinking "Would you ever have thought in a million years GILMER would be playing HERE? Where Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin play?" It wasn't that long ago... And then five years later, remember Michael Irvin himself showing up in Gilmer to tell us all that we do not need to be taught how to be a Dynasty... We need to remember that STAYING a Dynasty would be up to us! Remember that? Well I will tell you this Buckeyes... The Playmaker was right! Here we are 6 years after he warned us that STAYING on top is harder than getting to the top... And yes, Dynasty is an appropriate word. And we are on the verge of showing the world how to mess one up! These youngsters are going to learn a lot about themselves the next several weeks, but a lot of that WE have a chance to teach them! Who are we????? That is a question more than just our kids have to answer.... the kids call it "Swagger"... Old timers call it "Eye of the Tiger"... Terry Davis called it "WE WILL". We have called it PRIDE! Whatever you wanna call it, it only happens when we all decide there is nothing more important than our kids feeling that their time is RIGHT NOW, and then doing our collective level best to encourage, motivate, and will them to reach their potential! When they get that from us???? Then you will see what you have been waiting to see from these 2015 Buckeyes... They are not really old enough to remember what it was like to be hungry... And they need to hear our stomach's growl. Fans, alumni, faculty, school board, teachers, parents, students, coaches, players,... Who are we? An Army of Buckeyes???? Folks in Atlanta, Celina and West Orange Stark are wondering what that means??? So what u gonna do?

It's once again the "Sybil" version of the Buckeyes... 1st quarter they were locked in and then completely lack a killer instinct. It should bel '28-0. Weather, a few turnovers, and Center is right back in it. Gilmer had a chance to break their will and let up. I love My Buckeyes, but Champions DEVOUR their opponent when given the chance... Centers NOT the better team, but if you have not figured out. "Killer instinct" after 12-0, eventually you will get burned.

The bands will be on the bus.... Gonna be wet, cold and miserable. And everybody involved from players to refs to coaches to fans are gonna have a giant "Want To" contest!

They also have Gilmer ranked 3rd behind Celina and WOS. Center is ranked 7th.

Checking the weather forecast, it looks more and more likely that raining and 50 degrees is going to be the expected environment... > 90% probable as per the forecast.