GILMER – Getting a second chance at a game winning field goal and avoiding overtime, the Gilmer Buckeyes clipped Lindale’s Eagles this past Friday, 59-56, to end an entertaining, back-and-forth game at Jeff Traylor Stadium.
The Eagles are now 1-3 on the season and will begin District 9-4A play on Friday in Henderson.
Brayden Pate booted the game winner with no time left on the clock to secure the Buckeyes’ win after the Eagles had tied the game at 56 on a four-yard scoring run from Wyatt Parker with just under a minute to play.
Pate was able to get the game winner due to a roughing the kicker penalty on the previous attempt.
“That was an incredible game, one of the best I’ve been a part of,’’ said Lindale Head Coach Chris Cochran. “We just didn’t do enough to win. It’s that simple.’’
A consistent message Cochran and his staff have always delivered to his players during his eight years at the helm of the Eagles is they work all week to simply get close. The goal is to win.
“I am very proud of how our guys went about their business during practices (last week),’’ he said. “They know we don’t show up just to play them close and they felt they were going to win the game.’’
And with the district season beginning on Friday, Cochran and his coaches understand the players have to put last Friday’s disappointment behind them or they could start out on the wrong foot in 9-4A play.
“Our guys have to use this one the right way,’’ he said. “It’s all about being 1-0 after Friday. I think we will be in a good place because we’ve always been a resilient group.’’
The Eagles had actually built a 49-35 lead with 7:36 left in the game on a 36-yard scoring run from quarterback Clint Thurman with just under seven minutes left in the third period. Earlier in the period, Thurman had connected with Carson Plunkett for another score to give the Eagles a 42-35 lead.
The Eagles jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a six-yard scoring run from Wyatt Parker, the first of his three scores. Seth Baggett banged home the first of eight extra points for the Eagles.
But the Buckeyes pulled even on a 52-yard scoring run from Will Henderson. Gilmer then went ahead 14-7, before Thurman, who scored four times for the Eagles, scored on a 52-yard run.
Thurman dominated the offensive statistics for the Eagles, rushing 38 times for 258 yards. Parker added 102 yards on 17 carries. Thurman went to the air 22 times and completed 11 for 169 yards and a touchdown.
Gilmer’s Henderson rushed 18 times for 211 yards and three touchdowns, while junior quarterback Cadon Tennison was 19 of 41 for 407 yards and four touchdowns.
The Eagles forced three turnovers on the night, as defensive back Hudson Legrow had an interception and Cade Hodde and Matthew Kenney each had a fumble recovery.
Henderson, which was edged out by Whitehouse last Friday, 52-49, will feature some offensive skill and a new coaching staff that has instilled a winning attitude among the players.
The Lions are 1-3 on the year and after an opening night, 28-14 win over Liberty-Eylau, lost to Hallsville (35-28) and Marshall (35-20) before last Friday’s road loss to the Wildcats.
During the first four games of the year, Lindale’s offense has averaged just over 42 points per game. Defensively, the Eagles have allowed just over 47 points per game.
Thurman is the leading rusher with 759 yards on 102 attempts and 12 touchdowns on the ground. He’s also passed for 637 yards on 41 of 88 attempts and four touchdowns.
Parker has gained 532 yards on 62 carries and has scored eight touchdowns.