There's nowhere else for Gilmer to go. The Buckeyes won the 2014 Class 4A Division II state championship last season.

That being said, they can get back. We think that's a realistic possibility.

First-year head coach Matt Turner's squad will begin the year ranked No. 2 in ETSN.fm's Class 4A Poll.

The team was an offensive juggernaut last year. It put up the second-highest scoring total in Texas high school football history with the likes of quarterback McLane Carter, current Baylor receiver Blake Lynch and current Texas defensive back Kris Boyd in addition to other receivers most teams would love to have as their No. 1 guy.

This year, defense is the inherent strength. Senior Texas commitment and Gilmer athlete Demarco Boyd makes sure of that.

The Buckeyes can easily flex between a 4-3 front and a 3-4 front by shifting Demarco Boyd from end to linebacker. But even without Demarco Boyd, there's at least one more playmaker at every level on the defensive side.

Tristain Olivares is a huge asset at tackle. Jackson Sikes, Cambron Granville and Kelton Collier are back for more at linebacker. Kollin Hurt and Devin Smith will make it hard for opposing offenses to take the top off the defense in the secondary.

We don't expect Gilmer to have many issues on offense despite returning only three true starters. While colleges aren't yet pining for any of the guys, the program has a rich history of developing offensive talent.

Zac Spears will replace Carter and performed well as a backup last season. He played a lot of quarters in blowout wins.

Cameron Bowman has a real opportunity to shine now that Lynch, Boyd, Quinn Fluellen and Nick Smith have moved onto college ball.

Demarco Boyd can add a second punch at receiver or be a key running back for the team in addition to defensive duties. Devin Smith also will play some receiver.

There are questions to answer along the offensive line, but retaining Johnny Perez gives the program a head start in its rebuilding process.

And that's just what we know ahead of next week's season-opening game at home against Liberty-Eylau.

Gilmer is the frontrunner in District 5-4A Division II. To get ready to retain that particular title, the team will sharpen up with tough games against No. 10 Tatum, Daingerfield, and No. 5 Carthage aside from Liberty-Eylau and Pine Tree.

2015 Gilmer Buckeyes Football Schedule

DateOpponentTime/Result
Aug. 27Liberty-EylauW 50-45
Sept. 4Pine TreeW 35-19
Sept. 11TatumW 23-0
Sept. 18DaingerfieldW 43-27
Sept. 26vs. Carthage (at Lobo Stadium, Longview)W 18-15
Oct. 2OPEN
Oct. 9*MelissaW 60-0
Oct. 16*at CantonW 45-19
Oct. 23*BullardW 28-21
Oct. 30*at Nevada CommunityW 61-13
Nov. 6*Emory RainsW 49-22
Nov. 13(BI-DISTRICT): vs. Pleasant GroveW 40-36
Nov. 20(AREA): vs. MexiaW 63-14
Nov. 27(REGIONAL): vs. CenterW 36-21
Dec. 4(QUARTERFINALS): vs. AtlantaW 24-15
Dec. 11(SEMIFINAL): vs. CelinaL 49-44

ETSN.fm Class 4A Preseason Poll

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