[By Tim Glaze, Special to ETSN.fm]

CARROLLTON -- The first quarter was a defensive struggle. For the Gilmer Buckeyes, the rest of the game was a struggle, period.

After a scoreless opening 12 minutes, the Plano Prestonwood Christian Academy Lions exploded for 29 points in the second quarter and 13 more in the third, easing to victory over the visiting and ninth-ranked Buckeyes, 42-12.

It was Prestonwood's second straight dominating performance over a team in the 'District of Doom' -- the Lions routed 2010 state champion 56-21 last week to open the season.

During the Lions' 42-point outburst in the middle quarters, Gilmer (0-1) managed only six -- a 24-yard Josh Walker touchdown run early in the second quarter.

The game was never in doubt after Lions sophomore quarterback Mickey Mitchell ran for the first of his two touchdown runs with 9:33 remaining in the third quarter, making the score 35-6.

"We just didn't execute tonight," said Gilmer quarterback Tanner Barr, who was harassed by the Lion defense all night en route to an 11-for-33 performance. "That's a good team over there. We need to get back to practice and work on our execution. We had a game plan tonight, but we didn't execute."

Part of the Buckeyes' game plan was containing Lions (2-0) running back Grayson Warren. That plan, as Barr said, was not executed.

Warren tallied more than 100 yards in the second quarter alone, including an 86-yard touchdown run and 212 yards total. Mitchell, a sophomore, threw for two touchdowns and a two-point conversion while also running for two scores.

The game-changing play came in the second quarter, when Gilmer lined up to punt on fourth down. Already trailing, 7-0, Barr, the punter, looked to pin the Lions deep in their own territory. On the snap, three Lions burst through the Gilmer offensive line and blocked Barr's punt attempt, and Prestonwood linebacker Corey Meador scooped up the ball and ran 39 yards for a touchdown.

Gilmer never got closer than eight points after that.

The Buckeyes' next opponent is against Jacksonville on Friday, Sept. 14 before traveling to Daingerfield High School for a Sept. 27 matchup.

 

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