TOPS1435

"At what point in this game did QB do the Johnny Manzeil money sign? I didn't see until I saw some high lights last night! " Watch those highlights again and you will see it is not just the Qb making the sign. Several years ago, and then after a break, starting again three years ago, Traylor had every player, on field and off, make the money sign on every third down offensive and defensive. He felt it would increase their concentration. The idea was that the success was determined on the 3rd down. Much of the year we did not have an offensive third down because we had already scored. By game 16, many in the stands were making the sign along with the water girls, the ball boys, the coaches and the players. You just noticed the qb.

It only struck me yesterday, but the first score Gilmer had against WOS in 2008 was 35-23. This year 35-25. Amazing that after 6 years it ended with only a 2 pt difference! Just saying.

It was Kris Boyd who asked if we could carry the Gladewater kid's jersey. JT contacted the Bears coach, and he contacted the family and the Bears team. All agreed. We Gilmer fans were happy to have Gladewater there with us for the win. Many of us agree that you were the best we faced this year. This team was very special. I have been at all six of our state championship games. The first two state champions, 2004 and 2009, were dominated by the personality of their quarterbacks. But they also had players on the sidelines seeking the attention of the media and ego driven. There was none of that this year. We had five different players at qb though Carter and Lynch took most of the snaps. Kris Boyd wasn't even in the pre-season team photo (he made a trip to Texas A&M that day.) They were truly dedicated to winning one for the Gipper, opps, for Dez. Thanks to all you from Henderson, Gladewater, Tatum, New Boston, Liberty-Eylau, Kilgore, and others I left out (Scotland the Brave) for your support on this board. It was fun to read. Look forward to our next match on the gridiron.

Pitt plays at Gilmer.

Rob Childress was a member of the Harmony Eagles when they won the state 2A baseball championship in 1990 (I think it was) on a squad with Joey Hector, now the Spring Hill head baseball coach. It was Gilmer-Harmony in that era, but now it is Big Sandy Harmony. Johnny Mathis was born here but moved to San Francisco in 1943 and finished school there. The list did not include: Curtis Brown, 5th round draft pick playing on special teams with the Pittsburgh Steelers Daniel Jenkins, starting OL at Sam Houston State Jacob Jenkins, OL at Oklahoma State Gus Johnson, Stephen F. Austin Braylon Webb, brother of Buckeye starter Traylon Webb. Braylon is a DB at the University of Missouri. Adan Olivares, kicker at Louisiana College Ja Mell Kennedy went to SMU on schlarship before June Jones arrived and graduated in geology this past year. David Snow is currently a guard at UT but for 2 years he started at center and he saw freshman action at tackle. (He was playing left guard against A & M and right guard earlier in the year.) Tevin Godfrey Texas A & M-Commerce Stump Godfrey laying out a year at Hawaii Dakota Hagler went to Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas

Tanner Barr had two drops in the first half last week, but he got his 10th INT in the 3rd quarter. He is a sophomore and the backup quarterback now that the backup is the starting qb. His brother chose to join the Navy and is training to be a Seal instead of going to college after graduation. I have no idea if Tanner has any plans at this early date.

They do not usually even bother with 3A. We are too small.

I was late picking up this thread, but I wanted to add a comment on another running back who will be in Forney Friday. LaDarius Anthony gave us fits two years ago when we played Kilgore in Gilmer in 2009. Gilmer defeated Kilgore but not without developing an admiration for the running skills of Anthony. It would be fun to get to Forney early enough to see him again. If Barnes proves to be as good as Anthony, he will be very good indeed, but I still think the Buckeye defense will hold him in check enough for Gilmer to win.

Well,that used to be true 20 years ago, but then the Postal Service decided to improve things. Nowadays they are BIG SANDY Harmony!!!!! And all three, Gilmer, Big Sandy, and Harmony are still in the playoffs. Go Upshur county!!!

This year it is more of a running team, and the running is spread among 4-5 different backs. Since Traylor became the starting qb, he has relied more on the running skills of his teammates, but he did score a rushing td last week as well as pass for a couple. The point is one cannot stack the deck against one form of offense with the Buckeyes. By the way, he has been offered more money, and was tempted 2 years ago. But he wanted to stay in Gilmer at least until his son Jordan ( the qb) graduates this spring. Since Gilmer was home town with grandparents living here, we have had an inside advantage at keeping him so far.

I know Gladewater upset Pittsburg and is improved this week, but I do not see Henderson losing three weeks in a row. They are smarting from the last two games with loses to Carthage and Gilmer. Paris is improved because of their new coach, but they are strangers to the playoffs, while Henderson is seasoned after last year. If they beat Gladewater, my money is on Henderson over Paris.

Gilmer lost to Henderson at Spring Hill Friday so they played Paris last night at Mt. Pleasant and lost in five. Who can tell me about Paris's #7? She was on fire in the 4th and 5th sets last night. Gilmer managed points mostly when she was on the back line. When she was a Middle Blocker her teammates sent everything they could her way and she smash the shots to a sweet spot on the Gilmer side where they rarely had someone there to dig it out.

On the issue of bands in the end zone, no other band has ever sat there. In the past it was sometimes used for children on crowded nights. Also, no other team we play comes close to having the size band Henderson has. Excellent band and great half time performance. Sorry the Yamboree conflicted so our guys could not see if they could get ones across the board at Nacogdoches. On pass interceptions, Barnes did not deliberately throw to Buckeyes. Tanner Barr was step-by-step with his defender when he got the first INT, his 7th of the year, Traylon Webb was in a 2-on-1 battle for the ball as all three went down, Dylan Bowman, a Buckeye infielder in baseball, came out of nowhere to step in front of the receiver and steal the pass, and Colton Hill was observant when a ball was tipped straight up and came down with his interception. One other comment about Buckeyes converting on third and long. At least three of those were fourth and six or seven. One of the places we are hurting the most with Luke Turner's absence is in our kicking game. Pablin Olivares is doing a great job place kicking, but we do not have booming kick off through the end zone any more and punts which can go 50 yards when needed.

Carthage as the district champion has to call the meeting to determine the All District selections. They did not have the meeting yet. I understand that getting ready for the State Championship game was more important. I hope they meet next week early.

Well played game Henderson!!! Congratultions from Gilmer. It is especially sweet that Coach Ken Little will get a ring before he retires. He has been a great coach and a great opponent. The Buckeyes sympathize with your pain, Chapel Hill. We know how it feels since we are 2-2 on our state finals appearances. For those looking ahead to Carthage as a state champion, first they have to take care of Brownwood, no easy task. Good luck, Bulldogs. East Texas is pulling for you.