Gilmer vs Graham. State semi-final in Prosper Friday @ 7:00

[lostaussie]

These two have a little history over the last few years. Winner goes to the championship.

[bobcat1]

So the winner gets Carthage? :eek:

[waterboy]

So the winner gets Carthage? :eek:

Yep, I think that's safe to say.:helpme:

[lostaussie]

So the winner gets Carthage? :eek:

We will deal with that if and when the time comes. First things first.

[lostaussie]

I thought these two had played twice recently but evidently my mind is foggy. Looks like the most recent is back in 2012. The year we were destroyed by Navasota in the finals. Oh Brother.

[briandumith*]

I remember that 2012 game. Geezze what a butt whipping we took. I really wanted Gilmer to win State to save a little face for Graham after that... :(

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[lostaussie]

I remember that 2012 game. Geezze what a butt whipping we took. I really wanted Gilmer to win State to save a little face for Graham after that... :(

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Navasota was on a different level that year. Kinda like the team in red this year.

[jason]

Pigskin Prep has Graham as a 2 point favorite...

[lostaussie]

Pigskin Prep has Graham as a 2 point favorite...

I'm having none of that kool aid.

[briandumith*]

Pigskin Prep has Graham as a 2 point favorite...Hummmm YES SIR I LIKE IT!


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[cowboyandchrist]

Going with Gilmer by 10.
QB can run and pass.
Gilmer has two outstanding receivers.
Going to be a great game.

[d0tc0m]

This has potential to be a great game.

Graham will not be intimidated by Gilmer. The Steers play very hard and their senior-heavy group has a lot of heart. And those seniors literally needed a miracle to keep their season alive last week against Celina. That might have shook them a bit and have given rise to just a bit more focus and edge leading up to this matchup with Gilmer.

The Steers also have plenty of speed — not to the degree of Gilmer, of course, but enough that they can run with the Buckeyes. Graham's defense, especially, has really nice closing speed. You'll be impressed with No. 20, along with their slightly-undersized but speedy defensive line. The LBs are all really good too. They fly to the football, fill gaps quickly and they're all sure tacklers.

Now, that said, the Buckeyes are going to have offensive sets that Graham, quite literally, has not seen this season. Until playing Celina last week, to my knowledge, Graham had not seen anything more than a two-receiver set all season. Celina threw multiple sets at the Steers a week ago, trips, twins, bunch, diamond, double-tight, unbalanced, etc. Graham adapted well, BUT, Celina's play calling is not anything like Gilmer's, so the Steers are going to have to make some adjustments on the fly and figure out how to chew up that green grass in a hurry, because Gilmer's got some dudes that can turn it on as soon as they have the football in their hands.

The Bobcats had some really good receivers (and a couple other good ones that were injured) but we do/did not have the Fluellen's. Those boys are difference makers and they will create some matchup problems for the Steers. I would also say Gilmer's RBs are much more polished than Celina's trio of sophomores, and that will pay dividends. There were times when Celina's RBs had some space, but those sophomores just aren't seasoned enough to know when to be patient and when to put a foot in the ground and explode. It was very evident watching them go up against Graham's senior LBs. Gilmer's running game, I think, will have some success.

Here's the kicker, though. Even if Graham's defense can shut down those passing lanes, even if they can contain the rushing attack, you still have to deal with Tennison, and the Steers don't have anyone that can run with him. Again, Celina's sophomore QB had some success running the football. He's not slow, but he's not going to burn you. But he was able to pick up chunks of yards when he needed to. Tennison is much more seasoned and much more athletic. I think Celina's QB (Noah Bentley) will be a better QB overall than Tennison by his senior year, but that's irrelevant to this game. Tennison has grown tremendously from what I've seen, and he's learned he doesn't have to press the issue, because of how well he can run the football. He's learned he can use his legs, pick up a first down and live to see another set of downs. He will be a big-time problem for Graham.

Now, offensively, Graham has some guys that are not going to blow you away, but they're just good football players. The obvious one is Daniel Gilbertson at RB. Not a burner, but not so slow that you can take him lightly. Runs extremely hard. Tough to bring down on first contact. Good pass-catcher out of the backfield. Reagan Carter at TE/WR is another one to watch. Big, big kid. Physical and has good hands in space. Now, Celina completely shut him down apart from one catch — which just happened to be the only offensive TD the Steers scored against the Bobcats. Matt Lindquist and Tre Alvarez (No. 4, most impressive to me) are other ones to watch. Alvarez is the one who somehow pulled down the miracle throw-and-catch last week to Save Graham's season. Lanham at QB is decent. Big kid. Strong arm. Mostly accurate. But he cannot do much with his legs and he's not going to be the one who beats Gilmer.

Last week, Gilbertson had one good drive against the Bobcats. We came out in a three-man front to try and get an extra body in space against those Steers receivers, and Gilbertson made some hay. But that was the only drive. We moved to a four-man front after that, and our receivers held up really well against Graham's receivers, and we shut down Gilbertson after that. So much so, they moved him out of the backfield and to receiver to try and get him in some open space. He had some big catches, but he's much more effective running the football. It was very evident that Gilberston was not used to getting stopped and popped hard like he was a couple of times. He bounced right back up, but he began running more tentatively after his first drive. If Gilmer is able to bottle him up, it could make for a tough night for the Steers.

Now, having watched Gilmer play several times this year (some big games some not so big) and having watched Celina play all their games, I would take Celina's defense over the Buckeyes right now. That will draw some laughs I'm sure, and possibly some ire from the Buckeye faithful, but I mean no disrespect. Gilmer's defense has a slight edge in speed over the Bobcats, but it's not as much as the folks from East Texas probably think. And I would say Celina's front and LBs are a bit ahead of Gilmer's. The Buckeyes defense — like Celina's was — has been getting progressively better and has been peaking in the playoffs. Celina's defense held the Steers to just one offensive touchdown. The other score came on the opening kickoff. The rest were just field goals, most of which were the result of a turnover or the Bobcats handing Graham good field position. I say that, because I think Gilmer's defense has the capability to similarly limit Graham.


On paper, hard to go against Gilmer. In my head, having seen both teams, it's hard to go against Gilmer. But my gosh, Graham just plays so hard and physical, and has as much heart as I've seen from a team in a long time, that it feels sketchy to pick against them. And like I said, last week's scare might just have shown those seniors how quickly it can end. Perhaps it woke them up a bit more. Gave them the added boost they'll need against Gilmer.

If Graham can keep this game from getting blown open in the first quarter and a half, then watch out. You don't want the Steers to be within a breath of the game down the stretch. Their kicker is MONEY from waaaaay out. I mean, MONEY, and the offense is just efficient enough to be able to give that kid a chance a lot of times. But if Gilmer jumps out early and busts a couple of really long scoring plays, like they have the tendency to do, then it could completely break Graham's back and this one could get out of reach for the Steers.


In the end, I like Gilmer on the account of their sheer athleticism. I think it makes a difference this week. I'll take the Buckeyes by 14. But I'd be thrilled to see the Steers pull it off and serve me some crow. These are two great programs and you guys will have a lot of fun tomorrow night. Graham is a classy bunch. Gilmer is electric. State title appearance is on the line. What more could you ask for? Good luck to both teams! I hope it's a good, clean, hard-fought game that ends with both sides exhausted and no doubt about the final score.

Y'all be safe traveling to Prosper tomorrow!

[briandumith*]

This has potential to be a great game.

Graham will not be intimidated by Gilmer. The Steers play very hard and their senior-heavy group has a lot of heart. And those seniors literally needed a miracle to keep their season alive last week against Celina. That might have shook them a bit and have given rise to just a bit more focus and edge leading up to this matchup with Gilmer.

The Steers also have plenty of speed — not to the degree of Gilmer, of course, but enough that they can run with the Buckeyes. Graham's defense, especially, has really nice closing speed. You'll be impressed with No. 20, along with their slightly-undersized but speedy defensive line. The LBs are all really good too. They fly to the football, fill gaps quickly and they're all sure tacklers.

Now, that said, the Buckeyes are going to have offensive sets that Graham, quite literally, has not seen this season. Until playing Celina last week, to my knowledge, Graham had not seen anything more than a two-receiver set all season. Celina threw multiple sets at the Steers a week ago, trips, twins, bunch, diamond, double-tight, unbalanced, etc. Graham adapted well, BUT, Celina's play calling is not anything like Gilmer's, so the Steers are going to have to make some adjustments on the fly and figure out how to chew up that green grass in a hurry, because Gilmer's got some dudes that can turn it on as soon as they have the football in their hands.

The Bobcats had some really good receivers (and a couple other good ones that were injured) but we do/did not have the Fluellen's. Those boys are difference makers and they will create some matchup problems for the Steers. I would also say Gilmer's RBs are much more polished than Celina's trio of sophomores, and that will pay dividends. There were times when Celina's RBs had some space, but those sophomores just aren't seasoned enough to know when to be patient and when to put a foot in the ground and explode. It was very evident watching them go up against Graham's senior LBs. Gilmer's running game, I think, will have some success.

Here's the kicker, though. Even if Graham's defense can shut down those passing lanes, even if they can contain the rushing attack, you still have to deal with Tennison, and the Steers don't have anyone that can run with him. Again, Celina's sophomore QB had some success running the football. He's not slow, but he's not going to burn you. But he was able to pick up chunks of yards when he needed to. Tennison is much more seasoned and much more athletic. I think Celina's QB (Noah Bentley) will be a better QB overall than Tennison by his senior year, but that's irrelevant to this game. Tennison has grown tremendously from what I've seen, and he's learned he doesn't have to press the issue, because of how well he can run the football. He's learned he can use his legs, pick up a first down and live to see another set of downs. He will be a big-time problem for Graham.

Now, offensively, Graham has some guys that are not going to blow you away, but they're just good football players. The obvious one is Daniel Gilbertson at RB. Not a burner, but not so slow that you can take him lightly. Runs extremely hard. Tough to bring down on first contact. Good pass-catcher out of the backfield. Reagan Carter at TE/WR is another one to watch. Big, big kid. Physical and has good hands in space. Now, Celina completely shut him down apart from one catch — which just happened to be the only offensive TD the Steers scored against the Bobcats. Matt Lindquist and Tre Alvarez (No. 4, most impressive to me) are other ones to watch. Alvarez is the one who somehow pulled down the miracle throw-and-catch last week to Save Graham's season. Lanham at QB is decent. Big kid. Strong arm. Mostly accurate. But he cannot do much with his legs and he's not going to be the one who beats Gilmer.

Last week, Gilbertson had one good drive against the Bobcats. We came out in a three-man front to try and get an extra body in space against those Steers receivers, and Gilbertson made some hay. But that was the only drive. We moved to a four-man front after that, and our receivers held up really well against Graham's receivers, and we shut down Gilbertson after that. So much so, they moved him out of the backfield and to receiver to try and get him in some open space. He had some big catches, but he's much more effective running the football. It was very evident that Gilberston was not used to getting stopped and popped hard like he was a couple of times. He bounced right back up, but he began running more tentatively after his first drive. If Gilmer is able to bottle him up, it could make for a tough night for the Steers.

Now, having watched Gilmer play several times this year (some big games some not so big) and having watched Celina play all their games, I would take Celina's defense over the Buckeyes right now. That will draw some laughs I'm sure, and possibly some ire from the Buckeye faithful, but I mean no disrespect. Gilmer's defense has a slight edge in speed over the Bobcats, but it's not as much as the folks from East Texas probably think. And I would say Celina's front and LBs are a bit ahead of Gilmer's. The Buckeyes defense — like Celina's was — has been getting progressively better and has been peaking in the playoffs. Celina's defense held the Steers to just one offensive touchdown. The other score came on the opening kickoff. The rest were just field goals, most of which were the result of a turnover or the Bobcats handing Graham good field position. I say that, because I think Gilmer's defense has the capability to similarly limit Graham.


On paper, hard to go against Gilmer. In my head, having seen both teams, it's hard to go against Gilmer. But my gosh, Graham just plays so hard and physical, and has as much heart as I've seen from a team in a long time, that it feels sketchy to pick against them. And like I said, last week's scare might just have shown those seniors how quickly it can end. Perhaps it woke them up a bit more. Gave them the added boost they'll need against Gilmer.

If Graham can keep this game from getting blown open in the first quarter and a half, then watch out. You don't want the Steers to be within a breath of the game down the stretch. Their kicker is MONEY from waaaaay out. I mean, MONEY, and the offense is just efficient enough to be able to give that kid a chance a lot of times. But if Gilmer jumps out early and busts a couple of really long scoring plays, like they have the tendency to do, then it could completely break Graham's back and this one could get out of reach for the Steers.


In the end, I like Gilmer on the account of their sheer athleticism. I think it makes a difference this week. I'll take the Buckeyes by 14. But I'd be thrilled to see the Steers pull it off and serve me some crow. These are two great programs and you guys will have a lot of fun tomorrow night. Graham is a classy bunch. Gilmer is electric. State title appearance is on the line. What more could you ask for? Good luck to both teams! I hope it's a good, clean, hard-fought game that ends with both sides exhausted and no doubt about the final score.

Y'all be safe traveling to Prosper tomorrow!I think Celina would beat Gilmer

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[d0tc0m]

I think Celina would beat Gilmer

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Gosh, I don't know! Gilmer has some dudes, man. But I like the way we were playing and the way we could match up in spots. If you guys play clean and don't turn the ball over and don't get overwhelmed early on — which most teams do against the Buckeyes this time of year — then you'll have a shot at winning it tomorrow night!

I'm pulling for you guys tomorrow, Brian! Would love to see y'alls seniors get this one!

[lostaussie]

This has potential to be a great game.

Graham will not be intimidated by Gilmer. The Steers play very hard and their senior-heavy group has a lot of heart. And those seniors literally needed a miracle to keep their season alive last week against Celina. That might have shook them a bit and have given rise to just a bit more focus and edge leading up to this matchup with Gilmer.

The Steers also have plenty of speed — not to the degree of Gilmer, of course, but enough that they can run with the Buckeyes. Graham's defense, especially, has really nice closing speed. You'll be impressed with No. 20, along with their slightly-undersized but speedy defensive line. The LBs are all really good too. They fly to the football, fill gaps quickly and they're all sure tacklers.

Now, that said, the Buckeyes are going to have offensive sets that Graham, quite literally, has not seen this season. Until playing Celina last week, to my knowledge, Graham had not seen anything more than a two-receiver set all season. Celina threw multiple sets at the Steers a week ago, trips, twins, bunch, diamond, double-tight, unbalanced, etc. Graham adapted well, BUT, Celina's play calling is not anything like Gilmer's, so the Steers are going to have to make some adjustments on the fly and figure out how to chew up that green grass in a hurry, because Gilmer's got some dudes that can turn it on as soon as they have the football in their hands.

The Bobcats had some really good receivers (and a couple other good ones that were injured) but we do/did not have the Fluellen's. Those boys are difference makers and they will create some matchup problems for the Steers. I would also say Gilmer's RBs are much more polished than Celina's trio of sophomores, and that will pay dividends. There were times when Celina's RBs had some space, but those sophomores just aren't seasoned enough to know when to be patient and when to put a foot in the ground and explode. It was very evident watching them go up against Graham's senior LBs. Gilmer's running game, I think, will have some success.

Here's the kicker, though. Even if Graham's defense can shut down those passing lanes, even if they can contain the rushing attack, you still have to deal with Tennison, and the Steers don't have anyone that can run with him. Again, Celina's sophomore QB had some success running the football. He's not slow, but he's not going to burn you. But he was able to pick up chunks of yards when he needed to. Tennison is much more seasoned and much more athletic. I think Celina's QB (Noah Bentley) will be a better QB overall than Tennison by his senior year, but that's irrelevant to this game. Tennison has grown tremendously from what I've seen, and he's learned he doesn't have to press the issue, because of how well he can run the football. He's learned he can use his legs, pick up a first down and live to see another set of downs. He will be a big-time problem for Graham.

Now, offensively, Graham has some guys that are not going to blow you away, but they're just good football players. The obvious one is Daniel Gilbertson at RB. Not a burner, but not so slow that you can take him lightly. Runs extremely hard. Tough to bring down on first contact. Good pass-catcher out of the backfield. Reagan Carter at TE/WR is another one to watch. Big, big kid. Physical and has good hands in space. Now, Celina completely shut him down apart from one catch — which just happened to be the only offensive TD the Steers scored against the Bobcats. Matt Lindquist and Tre Alvarez (No. 4, most impressive to me) are other ones to watch. Alvarez is the one who somehow pulled down the miracle throw-and-catch last week to Save Graham's season. Lanham at QB is decent. Big kid. Strong arm. Mostly accurate. But he cannot do much with his legs and he's not going to be the one who beats Gilmer.

Last week, Gilbertson had one good drive against the Bobcats. We came out in a three-man front to try and get an extra body in space against those Steers receivers, and Gilbertson made some hay. But that was the only drive. We moved to a four-man front after that, and our receivers held up really well against Graham's receivers, and we shut down Gilbertson after that. So much so, they moved him out of the backfield and to receiver to try and get him in some open space. He had some big catches, but he's much more effective running the football. It was very evident that Gilberston was not used to getting stopped and popped hard like he was a couple of times. He bounced right back up, but he began running more tentatively after his first drive. If Gilmer is able to bottle him up, it could make for a tough night for the Steers.

Now, having watched Gilmer play several times this year (some big games some not so big) and having watched Celina play all their games, I would take Celina's defense over the Buckeyes right now. That will draw some laughs I'm sure, and possibly some ire from the Buckeye faithful, but I mean no disrespect. Gilmer's defense has a slight edge in speed over the Bobcats, but it's not as much as the folks from East Texas probably think. And I would say Celina's front and LBs are a bit ahead of Gilmer's. The Buckeyes defense — like Celina's was — has been getting progressively better and has been peaking in the playoffs. Celina's defense held the Steers to just one offensive touchdown. The other score came on the opening kickoff. The rest were just field goals, most of which were the result of a turnover or the Bobcats handing Graham good field position. I say that, because I think Gilmer's defense has the capability to similarly limit Graham.


On paper, hard to go against Gilmer. In my head, having seen both teams, it's hard to go against Gilmer. But my gosh, Graham just plays so hard and physical, and has as much heart as I've seen from a team in a long time, that it feels sketchy to pick against them. And like I said, last week's scare might just have shown those seniors how quickly it can end. Perhaps it woke them up a bit more. Gave them the added boost they'll need against Gilmer.

If Graham can keep this game from getting blown open in the first quarter and a half, then watch out. You don't want the Steers to be within a breath of the game down the stretch. Their kicker is MONEY from waaaaay out. I mean, MONEY, and the offense is just efficient enough to be able to give that kid a chance a lot of times. But if Gilmer jumps out early and busts a couple of really long scoring plays, like they have the tendency to do, then it could completely break Graham's back and this one could get out of reach for the Steers.


In the end, I like Gilmer on the account of their sheer athleticism. I think it makes a difference this week. I'll take the Buckeyes by 14. But I'd be thrilled to see the Steers pull it off and serve me some crow. These are two great programs and you guys will have a lot of fun tomorrow night. Graham is a classy bunch. Gilmer is electric. State title appearance is on the line. What more could you ask for? Good luck to both teams! I hope it's a good, clean, hard-fought game that ends with both sides exhausted and no doubt about the final score.

Y'all be safe traveling to Prosper tomorrow!

Thats good stuff. I about needed a bookmark to finish it......but it's good stuff.

[d0tc0m]

Thats good stuff. I about needed a bookmark to finish it......but it's good stuff.


Lol I know, I'm sorry! I intended to post more about this game throughout the week, and I just haven't had much time. Finally got around to it today and just sorta got a case of word vomit lol.

[lostaussie]

Lol I know, I'm sorry! I intended to post more about this game throughout the week, and I just haven't had much time. Finally got around to it today and just sorta got a case of word vomit lol.

You about needed a publisher for that one!!!

[d0tc0m]

You about needed a publisher for that one!!!

Oddly enough, I’ve got one lol. As long as I keep it at 2,000 words or less, and as long as it’s not a serialized long form, I’m in the clear.

[Aesculus gilmus]

Navasota was on a different level that year. Kinda like the team in red this year.

Navasota's coach was good for at least three touchdowns of the margin, IMO. Everyone saw what happened to the Rattlers' program after he left. It lost its venom.

[Aesculus gilmus]

I think Celina would beat Gilmer

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This reminds me of the Pleasant Grove livestream commentator named Caven Carpenter right after the QB from Caddo Mills miraculously pulled out the win for the Foxes in the final seconds.

"I think Caddo Mills can beat Gilmer."

[d0tc0m]

This reminds me of the Pleasant Grove livestream commentator named Caven Carpenter right after the QB from Caddo Mills miraculously pulled out the win for the Foxes in the final seconds.

"I think Caddo Mills can beat Gilmer."


Maybe. We won't get to find out this year, unfortunately. Maybe next year, though!


I will say, I like the way Celina could have matched up with Gilmer. I also say Celina (at this juncture of the season, not early on) would have beaten Caddo Mills. The Foxes had one stud who made everybody else around him look much better than they actually were. A healthy PG would've beaten CM by a healthy margin. Gilmer just flat out dominated them in all phases, from what I saw.

As it pertains to this matchup, Townley is a much better QB than Lanham at Graham. But that's somewhat of an unfair comparison, because the teams don't have the same philosophies, and Lanham doesn't go about the offense the same way Townley did for the Foxes. Townley was THE guy for CM. Lanham is just tasked with getting the ball to his guys and letting them work. He's not a game changer by any means. I'd take the Steers corps of receivers over the Foxes, and I'd take Graham's defense over CMs.

Of course ... I'd take Gilmer's guys over all of them lol. I still think the Buckeyes athleticism is the difference maker, specifically the Fluellen boys and Tennison. Graham just doesn't have anyone to run with that trio of Buckeyes, so I'll be curious to see how they scheme, defensively.

[44INAROW]

This reminds me of the Pleasant Grove livestream commentator named Caven Carpenter right after the QB from Caddo Mills miraculously pulled out the win for the Foxes in the final seconds.

"I think Caddo Mills can beat Gilmer."
LOL Good Luck to the Buckeyes.... We will be watching both 4A D2 games tonight...one on the Ipad and 1 on the TV...

[lostaussie]

Gilmer 35
Graham 7
Halftime

[Aesculus gilmus]

Playing only one half worked against Graham, but it won't work at high noon next Friday.

It would literally take a miracle for Gilmer to win against Carthage. I just hope we can hold the margin of defeat under what Navasota did to Gilmer in 2012 (39-3).

It is always embarrassing to be blown out on regional television. That's all most people will remember. "You're the hapless team that got blown out on my TV" (or "streaming device" these days). It's a lot like being the losing team in the Super Bowl.

[lostaussie]

We are there and we need to support the kids for that. It.will be an uphill challenge no doubt. But as a lifelong GILMER BUCKEYE I will be there to support as always.

[Aesculus gilmus]

No doubt. You were the one who brought up the Navasota game the other day. That's why it's on my mind.

Surratt is worth even more points than Fedora was for Navasota. Having said that, I will take the "under" and say the Buckeyes CAN come within 36 points of Carthage.

We already came within 28 in September. I think this time, if the Bux play a complete game, we can come within a touchdown or two. But a win WOULD take a miracle. They don't call Surratt the GOAT for no reason.

The good news is that there is ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE on the Buckeyes. David versus Goliath was an even match compared to this one.