Buckeye80
11-14-2004, 10:31 AM
The Buckeyes play the Panthers in the second round this year, and it has all the earmarks of being a fantastic game. The feature of this contest will be the Panther offense, led by Mr. All Everything DeMario Thomas, who has amassed over 2000 rushing yards and an insane amount of touchdowns, versus a Gilmer defense, led by LB Daniel Dodd, that has given up the fewest amount of points (88) in the state.
Longview Spring Hill Panthers
(7-3) (2-2)
District 16-3A runner up
In addition to the ground attack, the Panthers have developed a nice passing game to compliment Mr. Thomas. They have a WR by the name of DeMikel Shankle who has excellent hands, tremendous speed, and is "slicker than a beaver's slide" when opponents try to wrap him up. The man running the show is QB Chris Alford. He has a nice, fairly accurate arm, and other than Shankle, has some big targets, including Kyle Pope, to throw the ball to.
Overall, offensively, the Spring Hill Panthers can be very diffiicult to contain. They are extremely well coached and play disciplined controlled football. They are averaging 31 points a game this season and have lost only three games by a combined (19) points.
If one was to point to the achilles heel of the Panthers in a matchup with Gilmer, you would have to go with their defense. They are giving up (13) points a game this season, which places them around 20th in the state in scoring defense. They have held some very potent offensive teams in check this season (W-Carthage 45-0) (L-Tatum 14-7). But as of yet (IMHO) they have not faced an offense as multi-dimensional and balanced as Gilmer. And yes that includes the highly touted (and overrated) "one man band" Tatum offense.
Gilmer Buckeyes
(11-0) (4-0)
District 13-3A Champions
The Gilmer defense has been surprisingly stingy this season giving up just 88 points through 11 games. The defensive field general is LB Daniel Dodd who leads the team in tackles and tackles for loss. He is tenacious in his pursuit for the football and plays very controlled. Gilmer's defensive line is small by 3A standards but deceptively quick. The secondary is lightning fast and has completely shut down passing attacks this year on several occasions. The Buckeyes have posted three shutouts this year and given up (7) or fewer points in eight of 11 games and fewer than 100 yards in three games. The Buckeyes' pursuit to the ball is relentless and they are excellent tacklers.
Gilmer's weakness would have to be special teams. The kickoff coverage has been sub-par, and our kicker has made only one field goal this season. He is excellent on extra point conversions, missing only one, but he lacks any really accuracy at range on field goal attempts. Gilmer's punting game is average, but the Buckeyes rarely punt, opting to attempt fourth down conversions quite a few times this year.
Gilmer's offense can be unstoppable when it fires on all cylinders. Led by D1 recruits QB Manuel Johnson (Oklahoma), WR Kevin Hollis (Kansas St), and WR Tay Bowser (Miss St), the Buckeyes are capable of putting up some tacky offensive numbers. The offensive line is young but very capable, and the additional receiving corps is sensational.
So, this should be one Helluva game this Friday. Spring Hill will no doubt come in confident (as they should), and trust me that the Buckeyes will be ready to give them all they ask for and more. I would guess it will be played in Lobo Stadium, but we'll wait and see.
As for my game prediction.................not just yet!
Longview Spring Hill Panthers
(7-3) (2-2)
District 16-3A runner up
In addition to the ground attack, the Panthers have developed a nice passing game to compliment Mr. Thomas. They have a WR by the name of DeMikel Shankle who has excellent hands, tremendous speed, and is "slicker than a beaver's slide" when opponents try to wrap him up. The man running the show is QB Chris Alford. He has a nice, fairly accurate arm, and other than Shankle, has some big targets, including Kyle Pope, to throw the ball to.
Overall, offensively, the Spring Hill Panthers can be very diffiicult to contain. They are extremely well coached and play disciplined controlled football. They are averaging 31 points a game this season and have lost only three games by a combined (19) points.
If one was to point to the achilles heel of the Panthers in a matchup with Gilmer, you would have to go with their defense. They are giving up (13) points a game this season, which places them around 20th in the state in scoring defense. They have held some very potent offensive teams in check this season (W-Carthage 45-0) (L-Tatum 14-7). But as of yet (IMHO) they have not faced an offense as multi-dimensional and balanced as Gilmer. And yes that includes the highly touted (and overrated) "one man band" Tatum offense.
Gilmer Buckeyes
(11-0) (4-0)
District 13-3A Champions
The Gilmer defense has been surprisingly stingy this season giving up just 88 points through 11 games. The defensive field general is LB Daniel Dodd who leads the team in tackles and tackles for loss. He is tenacious in his pursuit for the football and plays very controlled. Gilmer's defensive line is small by 3A standards but deceptively quick. The secondary is lightning fast and has completely shut down passing attacks this year on several occasions. The Buckeyes have posted three shutouts this year and given up (7) or fewer points in eight of 11 games and fewer than 100 yards in three games. The Buckeyes' pursuit to the ball is relentless and they are excellent tacklers.
Gilmer's weakness would have to be special teams. The kickoff coverage has been sub-par, and our kicker has made only one field goal this season. He is excellent on extra point conversions, missing only one, but he lacks any really accuracy at range on field goal attempts. Gilmer's punting game is average, but the Buckeyes rarely punt, opting to attempt fourth down conversions quite a few times this year.
Gilmer's offense can be unstoppable when it fires on all cylinders. Led by D1 recruits QB Manuel Johnson (Oklahoma), WR Kevin Hollis (Kansas St), and WR Tay Bowser (Miss St), the Buckeyes are capable of putting up some tacky offensive numbers. The offensive line is young but very capable, and the additional receiving corps is sensational.
So, this should be one Helluva game this Friday. Spring Hill will no doubt come in confident (as they should), and trust me that the Buckeyes will be ready to give them all they ask for and more. I would guess it will be played in Lobo Stadium, but we'll wait and see.
As for my game prediction.................not just yet!