Gilmer Storms Back To Win 4A Division II Championship

By Michael Wright
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Updated: December 19, 2014

The Gilmer Buckeyes overcame a 25-7 deficit at halftime to beat the West Orange-Stark Mustangs 35-25 in the Class 4A Division II Championship game at AT&T stadium. This was the 3rd championship won by the Buckeyes. They also won in 2004 and 2009. West Orange-Stark is now 2-3 in championship games. Their last championship game was in 2000 and their last win was in 1987. The Buckeyes dedicated their season to their teammate #8 Desmond Pollard who died just before the season started playing a pickup basketball game with his friend (and recent Troup transfer) Blake Lynch. The win completed a "Cinderella season" for the Buckeyes.

The first half was owned by the Mustangs from West Orange-Stark. They held the ball for 18 minutes and 24 seconds. They out gained Gilmer 240 to 117 and had 16 first downs to Gilmers 5. The Mustangs were most impressive on 3rd and 4th down plays when RB Trey Baldwin rambled for most of his yardage. "Mount Baldwin" was seemingly unstoppable in the first have helping the Mustangs control all aspects of the first half. They converted 7 of 9 3rd down conversions and 2 of 2 4th down conversions. Mustang QB Jackson Dallas led the way with 45 yards rushing and 99 yards passing.

This was only the second game all season that Gilmer trailed going into halftime - their 41-35 come from behind victory over Gladewater was the other. The big turnaround appeared to be the halftime adjustments. Coach Jeff Traylor said that halftime was quiet, Kris Boyd gave a speech and told his teammates to keep their heads up and keep believing. They did.

The 2nd half was a different story as Gilmer was able to stop the Mustang offensive attack and give the ball to their high scoring offense. It did not start that way though as the Mustangs took the ball to the Gilmer 31 before throwing an interception. Gilmer took over and went 75 yards in 7 plays to cut the Mustang lead to 25-14. A bobbled kickoff gave WOS the ball at their own 8. On the first play, a Mustang fumble was recovered in the end zone by Gilmer to cut the WOS lead to 25-21. The Mustangs were able to convert a long 3rd and 25 deep in their territory and drove to the Gilmer 30. From there, they went for it on 4th down but dropped a pass at the Gilmer 11 to turn the ball over on downs. Gilmer was able to then make another long touchdown drive to take the lead 28-25. The Buckeyes shut down WOS once more and got another long drive to make it 35-25.

The Buckeyes out gained WOS 241 yards to 83 in the 2nd half. The West Orange-Stark defense held Gilmer to their lowest point total of the season. Gilmer DL Demarco Boyd (5 tackles, 1 sack) was named the Defense Player Of The Game. Gilmer WR Blake Lynch (2 touchdowns rushing, 96 yards receiving) was named the Offense Player Of The Game.

In the post game interview, Coach Traylor said "Our goal is always to get Kris Boyd and Blake Lynch the ball. Its simple...we are not splitting atoms here." He also said "We had a perfect effort today -- not perfect execution, but these kids gave perfect effort."

The West Orange-Stark seniors were the first freshman class that Mustang Head Coach Cornel Thompson had.

Post game press conference feautured: