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WO-S looks to slow down wide-open Buckeyes

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WO-S looks to slow down wide-open Buckeyes

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

WEST ORANGE — Putting up 557 points in a season is certainly impressive and the Gilmer Buckeyes, West Orange-Stark’s Class 3A Region III Division II regional semifinal opponent has scored in a variety of ways during the 2008 campaign.

The Buckeyes (11-1), led by long-time coach Jeff Traylor, have used a balanced array of weapons to run away from opposing units.

Gilmer has accumulated 3,218 yards on the ground, but does not have a 1,000-yard rusher. The Buckeyes have also passed for 2,507 yards with quarterback Darian Godfrey the main trigger man.

“They’re so sound in everything that they do,†said Mustang head coach Dan Hooks. “They spread you out. They have an outstanding running game and an outstanding quarterback that runs the show.â€

Even more impressive, the Buckeyes replaced 10 offensive starters off a team that went 14-1 last season and fell to Liberty Hill in the 3A state title game.

“That says a lot about their system up there,†said Hooks. “Coach Traylor and his staff have done an excellent job with that group every year. Their kids know that system well. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have the type of athletes they’ve had there.â€

The Buckeyes have compiled a 96-16 record since 2000, including a 2004 state title win over Jasper.

Godfrey has completed 148-of-250 passes for 2,378 yards and 29 touchdowns and has tossed just seven interceptions. He has also rushed for 762 yards and 16 TDs on 130 carries.

“The Godfrey kid is a big-boned kid that looks like he loves to compete, just like the one we have (Ortavious Hypolite),†said Hooks. “He can run the ball when asked and he’s thrown nearly 30 touchdown passes. That’s a heckuva weapon to have.â€

Tailback Jeremy Jackson leads the stable of backs with 962 yards and 11 TDs on just 106 carries. Marlon Granville has dashed for 530 yards and seven TDs on just 49 carries. us Osborne and Josh Thompson have combined for 499 yards and three TDs.

Receiving depth would be an understatement for the Buckeyes. Godfrey has thrown a touchdown pass to 15 different receivers. Prentiss Bell is the top catcher with 26 grabs for 398 yards and five TDs. Braylon Webb has 25 receptions for 354 yards and four TDs followed by Kedon Franklin (20-243-2), Zack Jones (18-339-2), Hunter Harrison (12-229-3) and Jackson (10-133-3).

The Mustang defense, which has allowed just 56 points in 10 battles and just 121.3 yards a game, will be tested more via the air than they have been in weeks.

“Looking back, just Nederland and Silsbee really threw the ball against us and they had a little bit of success,†said Hooks. “Gilmer is a complete different animal with the talent they have. Our defense, to put it mildly, will be busy all week preparing for this one. Our secondary will have to be on its’ toes from the start. It’s going to be a big test for our defensive unit, that’s for sure.â€

Patience will be a big key.

“Gilmer will move the football, you can count on that,†said Hooks. “We just can’t afford to give them the ‘big play.’ We want to force them to use the long field and not give them anything cheap. Diboll did and they found themselves down 21-0 with barely three minutes gone in that one. Gilmer jumped on Mexia 28-7. We’ve let our first two opponents in the playoffs score first, that’s a little scary.â€

Gilmer has been dominant thus far in the playoffs, wiping out Diboll 54-0 and downing Mexia 50-36 last Friday night.

The Buckeyes were led by Jackson in the Mexia win as he roamed around for 191 yards while Godfrey zipped for 147 yards.

The Mustangs are coming off two blowout playoff victories of their own, downing Coldspring 36-8 in bidistrict and then burying Caldwell 37-7 last Friday.

Senior tailback Quintavious Garrett went over the 1,000-yard mark against Caldwell after he zipped for 217 yards and two TDs. He now has 1,117 yards on the season and has 369 yards on the ground in the two playoff wins. Senior quarterback Ortavious Hypolite zipped for 123 yards on the ground against Caldwell and has over 700 yards rushing this year. He's also passed for more than 1,300 yards and has 15 TD passes and just two interceptions as the Mustang offense is pumping out a little more than 380 yards a game.

The Buckeye defense has allowed almost 278 yards a game this year but Coach Hooks feels that number is deceiving.

“Gilmer’s defense is very good,†said Hooks. “Their defense has been on the field a lot more than its offense because their offense scores so quick. Plus, they’ve been able to get a lot of kids in late in games after they’ve already put 40 and 50 points on the board. Offensively, I think our kids can move the ball on them and get into the end zone. I just don’t want to see us get into one of those scoring marathon deals because that’s what they like to do.â€

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