Rabbits fall to Gilmer, 24-15
LONGVIEW, Texas—For the fourth time in five years, Gilmer proved to be the end of the road for Atlanta.
The Rabbs stayed within striking distance, but University of Texas commitment DeMarco Boyd scored twice in the second half to help lift the Buckeyes to a 24-15 victory Friday in the Region II-4A, Division II championship game at Pine Tree’s Pirate Stadium.
It was the second straight year Atlanta’s season ended in the state quarterfinals against Gilmer, which extended its win
streak to 30 games.
The Rabbs’ season ends at 9-5. Gilmer (14-0) advances to the state semifinals to play Celina (14-0) next week.
After falling behind 7-0, the Buckeyes scored 17 straight points, Boyd bulling his way in at 3:58 left in the third for his first 3-yard TD run to put his team up 17-7.
Gilmer’s next drive was halted when end Tristan Allen picked off Zac Spears, his third interception thrown, and brought it back to the Gilmer 10. Three plays later Tyrell Phillips ran in from the 1. Layton Henson had the 2-point conversion run.
The Buckeyes put it away with their next drive, lasting 13 plays and covering 53 hard-fought yards. Boyd scored again to make it a two-score game with 6:33 left, and after a three-and-out by the Rabbs, Gilmer ran out the clock.
The Buckeyes had 327 yards of total offense, and Atlanta had 184 yards of offense.
Phillips had 67 yards rushing on 18 carries, and Jeremy Smith had 50 yards on 17 rushes.
To start the game, both teams’ initial drives resulted in no points, Gilmer’ fourth-down pass gaining no yards and the Rabbs’ 30-yard field goal falling short.
However, Atlanta defensive end Keyuntea Kinney hurried Spears’ throw on the third play of the Buckeyes’ ensuing drive, and cornerback Desmond Robinson intercepted the pass at the 24, racing untouched for a Pick-6 with 3:39 left in the first quarter.
Devin Smith returned the kickoff 48 yards to the Rabb 26, and Juan Esquivel booted a 36-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 1:54 left.
Atlanta was stopped on a three-andout, and the Buckeyes quickly moved down the field in seven plays to take the lead. The 60-yard drive took 1:34 off the clock and was finished with Zod Heath grabbing an 18-yard strike from Spears for the score.
Atlanta had 128 yards of total offense in the first half, and Gilmer had 124, including 101 through the air.