Aaron ‘Poppy’ Brown + Gilmer Hold Off Nacogdoches, 51-49, in Offensive Showcase

GILMER -- Gilmer quarterback Aaron 'Poppy' Brown threw for 468 yards -- 401 in the first half -- and three touchdowns, and the Buckeyes held off Nacogdoches, 51-49, in the final non-district game of 2017 on Friday night.

Brown also added 94 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in the win, which was Gilmer's fourth of the season.

Jake Smith completed 21 of 31 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns for Nacogdoches, while running back Marcus Sweat rushed for 175 yards and three scores in the Dragons' loss.

All three of Smith's touchdown passes went to James Sowards, who scored on catches of 15, 12 and 59 yards. He had 117 yards receiving in the first half.

Nacogdoches pulled within 44-42 midway through the fourth quarter, but a 29-yard touchdown run by Bran Webb gave Gilmer a nine-point lead, and ultimately, the win.

Webb finished the game with 125 yards rushing.

Brown threw for 401 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone, hitting Morgan Lusty for a 39-yard touchdown and Tra Fluellen from 17 yards out.

Brown passed for more than 400 yards in the half with touchdown passes of 39 yards to Morgan Lusty for Gilmer’s first score and later a 17-yarder to Tra Fluellen.