FIREWORKS IN GILMER | Buckeyes win heavyweight battle with Kilgore’s Ragin’ Red
EDITOR’S NOTE: To see excellent video highlights from this game by ETBlitz.com’s Jacob Lucas, check out our Instagram account, @ETBlitzOfficial, or our Facebook page, ETBlitz.com. Pictures from this game, by Dennis Jacobs, are coming later today.
GILMER – Back in 2024, Kilgore’s trip here to Jeff Traylor Stadium produced one of the wildest games between two traditional Texas high school football powers in the history of the series, coming down to the final seconds – the final second, actually.
Friday night, in the Bulldogs’ return, there was another shootout, a heavyweight fight, and Gilmer would get in the final blow.
Gilmer scored first in a game that was tied three times (7-7, 29-29 and 36-36). The Buckeyes ultimately held off Kilgore, 64-50, improving to 2-1, while Kilgore drops to 0-2 for the season with district play opening next week.
The Bulldogs have been so good under coach Clint Fuller; they’ve reached the 4A state title game the last two seasons and winners of 63 games, losing only 13.
This marks the second time they’ve started 0-2 (2022) – the ‘Dogs play an aggressive non-district schedule that normally includes some combination of Carthage, Pleasant Grove and Gilmer, all state title contenders, along with KHS.
It was senior night here Friday at Jeff Traylor Stadium. Pomp and pageantry carried the pre-game festivities, with anniversaries of the Gilmer Stars (the dance team, celebrating their 40th year this year) and the Buckeye Band (celebrating 100 years this year), along with recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
And then the real fireworks.
The Buckeyes and Bulldogs combined for 114 points, 1,067 yards of total offense and 42 first downs.
“Our team battled for four quarters. They displayed their toughness and unity every step of the way,” said Fuller. “I’m disappointed that we lost, but very proud of how our team played in terms of effort, physicality and poise.”
While Kilgore came up 14 points and 139 yards less in total yardage than the home-standing Bux (603 to 464), the Ragin’ Red scored seven touchdowns with Braddox Johnson, just making his second varsity start at quarterback. Johnson completed 11-of-17 passes for 160 yards with touchdowns of 10- and 44-yards to Tyler Johnigan, and 10-yards to Brenton Mumphrey.
“Gilmer has an experienced, explosive offense,” Fuller continued. “They present numerous challenges for a defense. I have no doubt we will learn some valuable lessons from tonight and grow from it.”
Gilmer’s Tayveon Horne, quarterback Zade Taylor and freshman wide receiver Kaden Canady put on a show for the Buckeyes.
Horne, only a junior and already getting lots of recruiting attention, led all rushers with 217 yards, scoring on runs of 2, 1, and 13 yards.
Taylor, one of the seniors recognized prior to the game, ran for 144 yards and two scores and was 8-of-10 passing for 185 yards with scoring strikes of 75 and 33-yards, both to Canady, who had six receptions for 112 yards.
Jerzyri Johnson, who returned a kickoff for a touchdown against Pine Tree earlier this season, added a 95-yard return against the Bulldogs with just 10:17 remaining in the contest and just before Horne added a two-point conversion run, stretching Gilmer’s lead back to two touchdowns (14 points).
The Buckeyes’ final TD came on a one-yard Kipton Neighbors run with 4:33 left to play, following a 60-yard Horne run to the Kilgore 3-yard line.
Kilgore’s Maddox Wright and Rayshaun Williams scored two touchdowns apiece and combined for 298 of Kilgore’s 304 rushing yards. Wright finished with 182 of those, scoring on runs of 72 and 62 yards, while Williams added 116 to the total with scores on runs of 10 and 52 yards, both coming in the second half.
“Our offensive attack was balanced and explosive. Our run game (27-304 yards) opened up our passing and we made some big plays,” said Fuller. “That all started with our offensive line. They really stepped up tonight and controlled the line of scrimmage.”
Johnigan was Johnson’s favorite receiver for Kilgore: five receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns. De’Andre Thurmond (1-49), Mumphrey (1-10), Williams (1-8), Sekemian Moore (1-7), Wright (1-5) and Kei Warren (1-5) also had catches for the ’Dogs.
Next up for Kilgore is not only its 2026 home opener at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium this coming Friday, but its first district game of the season. The opponent will be Bullard (1-2), who dropped a 20-19 decision to Quinlan Ford Friday night. The game will also be the Bulldogs’ 2026 homecoming.
Gilmer will continue its non-district schedule on the road at Sulphur Springs against the Wildcats (1-2), who beat Whitehouse, 47-32, on Friday.