Joe Hale

Kilgore High School running back Rayshaun Williams (8, center) runs through a gaping hole in Gilmer's "Black Flag" defense Friday night at Jeff Traylor Stadium in Gilmer. In a shootout that came down to the final seconds, it was the Buckeyes that wound up pulling out a 24-22 win. But not without some controversy: another KHS back, Isaiah Watters, went down with 20 seconds left on the clock, and the clock was allowed to keep running until officials finally blew the play dead with six seconds left. Officials called for a 10-second run-off -- there was less than 10 seconds left on the game clock, which meant the game was over. But if Watters was down with 20 seconds left, wouldn't there have been time left on the clock for Kilgore to run another play, even with the 10-second run-off? (Photo by DENNIS JACOBS - ETBLITZ.COM)

TOUGH TO SWALLOW | Kilgore loses in final seconds at Gilmer; time expired, but should it have?

Joe Hale 2 months ago

Kilgore running back Rayshaun WIlliams (8) controls a Whitehouse defender while picking up yards last week, in the Ragin' Red's 27-7 win over the Wildcats. Kilgore (2-0), ranked fifth in the Dave Campbell's Texas Football Class 4A, Division I poll, visits Gilmer (0-2), ranked sixth in the DCTF 4A-DII poll on Friday night at 7:30 at Jeff Traylor Buckeye Stadium. That's the ETBlitz.com Game of the Week. Below: Gilmer coach Alan Metzel, who led the Buckeyes to a 4A-DII state championship last year, beating Bellville at AT&T Stadium. Kilgore defeated Gilmer, 24-23, in a late comeback a year ago in Kilgore. (Photo above by DENNIS JACOBS; bottom photo by JOE HALE)

PREVIEWING KILGORE-GILMER | The ETBlitz.com Game of the Week!

Joe Hale 2 months ago

THE STANDINGS | No one’s in district play yet, but here’s how the area’s high school football records look

Joe Hale 2 months ago

BULLDOGS BITE WHITEHOUSE | It wasn’t a beauty contest, but it’s not supposed to be: KHS wins home debut, 27-7

Joe Hale 2 months ago

KILGORE FOOTBALL PRACTICE | Photo gallery by JOE HALE

Joe Hale 2 months ago

The Texas A&M Aggies make their entrance at Kyle Field, the first of 2024, and the first under new coach Mike Elko. It's always a spectacular entrance, but the Aggies fell short on Saturday, losing to Notre Dame. (Photo by MITCHELL MOLANDES - ETBLITZ.COM)

FROM THE PRESS BOX with JOE HALE | So unpredictable, it was predictable: looking back at college football’s 2024 opening weekend

Joe Hale 2 months ago

THEY DID IT! | Kilgore takes down top-ranked Carthage, 20-15, in season opener, at Carthage

Joe Hale 2 months ago

The trophy case at Gilmer High School's football field house is an impressive one. But there's always room for one more. And the Buckeyes, led by coach Alan Metzel (below), hope to do just that in the 2024 season, which would make them back-to-back UIL Class 4A Division II state champions, if they can pull off the feat. (Photos by JOE HALE - ETBLITZ.COM)

CAN BUCKEYES RUN IT BACK? | Metzel, Gilmer have enough talent to do just that

Joe Hale 3 months ago

TIME FOR CARDINALS TO FLY | A tough schedule, but with senior leaders, Sabine could have a playoff return

Joe Hale 3 months ago

Kilgore High School defensive back / wide receiver Jayden Sanders committed to the University of Michigan on Saturday morning; he's joined here by his mom, Whitney Clark, and dad, Nick Sanders, and then below, the Kilgore High School coaching staff. (Photos courtesy of WHITNEY CLARK)

SANDERS SPEAKS! | Kilgore’s Jayden Sanders talks to our own Joe Hale about his commitment to Michigan

Joe Hale 3 months ago

The Troup High School Tigers' field house, where the Tigers, led by Sam Wells (below), will pursue excellence. (Photos by JOE HALE)

DOMINATE THE DAY | Wells and his Troup Tigers look to replace key pieces, keep rolling

Joe Hale 3 months ago

A view from the press box at Jack V. Murphy Stadium in Gladewater on Sept. 17, 2021, prior to kickoff a game between the Bears and the Kilgore Bulldogs. (Photo by MITCH LUCAS - ETBLITZ.COM)

GLORY DAYS | Springsteen sang about ’em; Louvier looking to restore ’em at Gladewater

Joe Hale 3 months ago