TATUM, Texas — This is the Center Roughriders chance at redemption.
They squared off against the state champion Gilmer Buckeyes in the round one of the playoffs a year ago, and it was a fight that left them battered and defeated, but not broken.
Now they get another shot at the champ, and head coach Ricky Meeks is ready to be the one moving on to the next round.
“I mean, it's two different, two different teams now, you know, last year's over and done with, and it's a new group of guys for both of us," Meeks said.
It isn't going to be an easy title to take from the defending champs.
“They have no limit," Gilmer Head Coach Alan Metzel said. "You know they could win it all. They have that potential. They know that it's just a matter of taking care of business each Friday night.”
After an 0-2 start to the season, the buckeyes are back in championship form.
“We were back to reality," Metzel said. “At this point it's so such a distant memory. You know, our nose is down to the grindstone, and we're, we're slaving away one day at a time.”
The playoffs is a reset into a new season, and both teams are doing whatever it takes to either continue a legacy, or build a new one of their own.
“People, people remember the teams that play in December, and so, you know, that's our that's our next goal." Meeks said. "That's, that's the next step for us.”
Center takes on Gilmer Friday at 7 p.m. at Tatum High School.
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