Perennial East Texas Powers Meet When Gilmer Visits Daingerfield
Gilmer Buckeyes (2-1)
vs.
Daingerfield Tigers (2-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
Mickey Mayne-Tiger Stadium, Daingerfield
Coaches
Gilmer: Jeff Traylor
Daingerfield: Aric Sardinea
Last week
Gilmer: def. Jacksonville, 34-33
Daingerfield: def. Clarksville, 21-6
Next week
Gilmer: at Gladewater
Daingerfield: vs. Redwater
Playmakers
Gilmer
- QB Tanner Barr, Jr., 6-1, 175 (57 of 101, 727 yards, 8 TDs, 4 INTs; 28 carries, 162 yards)
- ATH Chase Tate, Soph., 5-5, 150 (14 carries, 37 yards; 19 catches, 162 yards, 1 TD)
- RB/LB Josh Walker, Jr., 6-1, 220 (21 carries, 131 yards, 2 TDs; 9 catches, 112 yards, 2 TDs; 8 tackles)
- NG Xavier Fluellen, Sr., 6-1, 260 (17 tackles, 2 sacks)
- DB Justus Cheatham, Sr. (9 tackles, 3 INTs)
- WR/CB Trey Washington, Sr., 6-1, 170 (7 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD; 14 tackles, 1 INT; committed to SMU)
- LB Brandon Barnes, Sr. (27 tackles)
Daingerfield
- QB Edwin Mims, Sr., 5-9, 180
- QB Keris Alexander
- RB Ray Wallace, Jr., 5-10, 165
- OL/NG Jacolby Simpson, Sr., 6-0, 280
- OL Malik Ellis, Sr., 6-3, 255
- WR Shawn Hooks, Sr., 5-7, 160
- CB Ruben Mims, Sr., 5-9, 165
Just the facts
- Gilmer averages 25.7 points per game and allows 30.7
- Gilmer's minus-15 overall scoring margin is because of the Buckeyes' 30-point loss to Plano Prestonwood
- Daingerfield averages 17.3 points per game and allows 16.7
- Daingerfield held its last two opponents to 9.5 points per game
- Gilmer's Josh Walker has scored almost a third of the Buckeyes' points (24 of 77)
- Tonight's game is the 57th meeting between Daingerfield and Gilmer
- Daingerfield leads the all-time series 30-26, but Gilmer has won seven in a row
Key matchup: Gilmer's backs and receivers vs. Daingerfield's linebackers and secondary. Gilmer loves getting its playmakers the ball and space, and the Buckeyes always have plenty of which to spread the ball around. Ten Buckeyes have caught at least one pass in their first three games, and eight have caught at least three. Nine Buckeyes have rushing attempts, including four with at least 14 carries. In other words, it's next to impossible to strategize for one or two weapons because Gilmer uses so many. Not only that, but they're usually all good, too. Daingerfield counters with something it always has in abundance, like Gilmer: athleticism. Linebacker Calvin Bryant and cornerback Ruben Mims are two key parts of a Tiger back seven that has helped Daingerfield bounce back from its 31-14 season-opening loss to Gladewater by holding the last two opponents to a combined 19 points.
Don't be surprised if: Gilmer comes out firing. The Buckeyes rode a huge comeback last week against Jacksonville to steal a 34-33 win late in the game, and coach Jeff Traylor won't want to see his team fall behind early again. That comeback should also have the Buckeyes brimming with confidence, especially considering that a lot of them are young and have limited or no varsity experience prior to this season. Winning a game like that can do a lot for a team's psyche. Gilmer has owned the series with Daingerfield lately, winning the last seven contests, so the Tigers will motivation to end their drought. Their defense has proven it can keep them in just about any game, but can the Tigers, who have won the last two games despite scoring a combined 38 points, score with the Buckeyes if Gilmer turns this game into a shootout?