GILMER, Texas — The Gilmer Buckeyes took the field Monday morning as the reigning state champions.
The Buckeyes had a Cinderella story of a season last year after starting off 0-2. They then took down the Carthage Bulldogs in the playoffs to advance to the state championship where they knocked off Bellville to claim their fourth state title.
But that was then...and this is now.
"We talked when we first got together this morning," said Athletic Director and Coach Alan Metzel. "That year is over, that year is about putting something on a wall and all that. It's all even right now."
The Buckeyes lost one of their key playmakers in running back Will Henderson, but the seniors are ready to step up and pick up where they left off.
"Everybody showed up this morning. Nobody was late, and nobody was not here," said senior linebacker Grayson Bates. "So I feel like that made the leaders more confident."
The Buckeyes will open up their season on Thursday, Aug. 29, at home against the Pine Tree Pirates.
"Coach Bachmann's got a great group," Metzel said. "They're tough. They had a great year last year, and we know they'll be excited to play. It's always fun to get the season kicked off in Gilmer, Texas. The thing that I want to see is guys who are willing to get perfect effort on every single play the game and if we do that, then we'll feel good at the end of the game."
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