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It was actually 39-3, but who's counting... It was certainly a beatdown for sure. That team was loaded for sure.

I don't know why y'all brought Gilmer into this, but I'll give my 2 cents. Gilmer's offense is built to score points. Despite what a lot of people "think", they never tried to intentionally run the score up on anybody. They will come at you full throttle with the passing game, then start running. It's tough on defenses because they get gassed with the pace of Gilmer's offense, hence the scores keep coming even when the second team is playing. Their offense doesn't use clock for their possessions until late 3rd or 4th quarter, and can usually score on any given play. When Gilmer does get a big lead, it's still hard to stop it, especially when they have the talent they've had in the past. Carthage has a very different philosophy. They will score plenty of points, then rely on their defense to continue to make stops. Gilmer, and I absolutely hate to say this, doesn't play the kind of defense that can shut the other team down. Carthage can. I'm also pretty sure that if Carthage wanted to they could score 60 points a game, especially this season. I also think there are a couple of teams left that can give Carthage a very good game because they play good defense. One of those teams is La Vega. Yes, I think Carthage can be beat, but it'll take one heckuva team to do it. I'm not sure there's one out there at this point, but you never really know. The X Factor that Carthage has is Coach Scott Surratt and his excellent staff. They know how to game plan. They can make in game adjustments on the fly, as well as halftime adjustments like no other staff I've seen. They know how to win. Period.

LOL! Tell Paul and Jimmy that! It's inventory time, part 2. We're done after this weekend, though.

Unfortunately, I have to work late tonight. My wife, daughters, and a couple of their friends are going, though. If they win, I will definitely be able to go to the next one. I'm hoping that my favorite two teams play on different days this next week, provided they both win.

Yes! I felt like that was you once you started talking about you and your dad. That bearded fella sitting with his wife and daughter, who has a cheerleader for a daughter. That's me. Small world, ain't it?

Hahaha...! That wasn't you and your dad that sat behind me is it? All of that conversation sounds familiar.

Yes, I think Union Hill wins, too. Unfortunately, I won't be able to go to any games tonight. I have to work late.

I wished I would've known you were there. We could've met up. How about those two goal line stands? It looked like Coolidge was going to drive it down UH's throat, and did to the 1-yard line to open the game. Four tries couldn't get it in, and it went downhill for Coolidge from there. They had nobody that could stop Gabe Nelson (# 9), nor could they stop Colt Mallory (# 7). I hope Colt, who got hurt on the TD run, gets well quick because he's a heck of a player. The UH defense is legit, and will definitely bring the wood.

I don't know. Those teams out West are always good at 6-man, and have been playing 6-man forever. Once they get past this Friday's game, assuming they do, there's some very good teams left. The cream always rises to the top. It's the same as any other classification. They were a whisker's breath away last season from that trip, and I think they should've been there, but...a bad call by the officials, an extra timeout, and they went home. That's the breaks, so you just never know. I will say I think they are fully capable of getting there. They are about as fundamentally sound, as talented, and as well coached as any team out there in 6-man. Their coach, Shane Mallory, has a state ring before as a head coach at Throckmorton (2014) and knows what it takes. This is only his second year at UH, and the Bulldogs are 23-2 thus far under his tenure.

Union Hill 45s them early in the 3rd quarter. Union Hill meets Tioga at Prairiland HS in Pattonville at 7:30 Friday.

Pleasant Grove gets their rematch with Celina, too.

I agree with lostaussie. I think Jasper will wear Celina down. I wouldn't have said that the last couple of years, but this year I will. I also think PG handles Aubrey in a big way, setting up a good matchup between two power running teams. If Jasper and PG play each other, I'll bet the game doesn't last 2 hours, maybe 2-1/2 with halftime.

I noticed that. It could be. I don't think the road will be as easy this go round, though. The semis and finals will tell the story.

It could've been so much worse. It was 48-0 with 8:12 left in the 2nd quarter. Keep in mind they play 10 minute quarters in 6-man. Fannindel chose to have a running clock after that.

IF all schools around the country played by the same rules as we do in Texas, YES, a playoff system would be nice, and we would likely have the best teams in the country in high school football by far on most occasions. I still say from a "pure" high school football viewpoint, this state is by far the best.

That's funny right there!! I'm afraid that guy is in for a very rude awakening...

The final was actually 50-48, with Jonesboro running the final 9 seconds off the clock on 4th down back into the endzone for a safety. Jonesboro got 4 timeouts in the second half, and on the final drive got called for an intentional grounding (the correct call) by the back judge. The ball went through the JB QB's hands for about a 25 yd loss, he was still in the pocket fixing to be sacked, picked the ball up and heaved it out of bounds nowhere near the LOS and no receivers within at least 20 yards. The side judge comes over and overrules the grounding, saying there was a receiver in the area..., giving Jonesboro another chance. Instead of 4th and 35 or so, they had 4th and 11. If not for the extra time out, Jonesboro wouldn't have been able to stop the clock on their final drive and regroup on 3rd down and about 11. Bonehead mistakes by a playoff officiating crew. FWIW, Union Hill didn't make the plays when they counted. One 4th down conversion away from sealing the game on offense, or one stop on 4th down and 11 would've won it. The Bulldogs had their chances. I'm just disappointed, and a little heartsick for the kids that officiating had put them behind the 8-ball to begin with.

Hahaha..., I remember you telling me about that. That was funny. You gave them the pregame mojo that lasted until halftime, then once that mojo followed you back to our side it was all Gilmer. Do me a favor. Make sure this year, if we are fortunate enough to make it there, that you will KNOW which side to sit on! LOL!

Unhhh hunhh, so that's where you were in the state game! I knew sumpin' fishy was goin' on when I didn't see you... FWIW, I would love to have a chance to see a rematch of 2014. I just hope we can hope up our end of the bargain.

West Orange-Stark is the best team in 4A period. Can they be beat? There will be three teams that will try. Let's see how it shakes out before we hand out rings.

Well, it at least lasted 59 seconds into the second half. A big test coming up for Union Hill this week in the semis. Union Hill (12-1) vs. Jonesboro (13-0) 7 PM Friday @ Porcupine Stadium in Springtown

That was an awesome game! Nervous doesn't describe what was going on in that one. My stomach was doing somersaults. Most teams would've laid down after getting down big early, 21-0. Not that team! Those Jasper boys punched, kicked, and clawed their way back into it, and just very nearly pulled it off. It was the kind of game you hated to see anybody lose, but it was especially sweet for us Buckeye fans as we finally won our first state championship.

I agree. We've been punched in the mouth many times over the years. We always fight back, and have ended up on top many more times than not.

Gilmer vs. Diboll @ Tatum, Thursday, 7 PM

Good grief! Maybe the district committee can put together an all-star team from the rest of the district just to give WO-S some competition. It's just too easy. I'm thinking about a 50ish point win, and that's because the backups will see lots of PT.