GILMER, Texas (KETK) – Gilmer head football coach Alan Metzel and his Buckeyes know last year’s second-round exit isn’t acceptable. “We didn’t meet the expectation that we set for ourselves,” Metzel said. Expectations are always sky high for the Buckeyes, who’ve won four state titles, their last coming in 2023. They’ve put last season behind them and […]
GILMER, Texas (KETK) – Gilmer head football coach Alan Metzel and his Buckeyes know last year’s second-round exit isn’t acceptable.
“We didn’t meet the expectation that we set for ourselves,” Metzel said.
Expectations are always sky high for the Buckeyes, who’ve won four state titles, their last coming in 2023.
They’ve put last season behind them and are leaning on the players who were part of their 2023 state title to get them back to Arlington.
“When you have gone to that kind of a limit, you’ve had guys who have experienced it. They know how to prepare. They know how to play in big games,” Metzel said.
Senior offensive and defensive lineman Tyler Hagler played defensive tackle on Gilmer’s 2023 state title team.
He’s taken it upon himself to teach the younger guys what it takes to play deep into December.
“They know we’ve been through state and we’ve been through adversity and all kinds of other stuff, so they kinda look up to us,” Hagler said.
Metzel said this is the biggest team he’s had in terms of size while at Gilmer.
He expects guys like Hagler and 6-foot-6, 330-pound offensive tackle Ismael Camara to lead a strong group in the trenches.
“When it gets cold and it’s drizzling rain or the other team, they’re really good too, they got the same skill guys. You better be able to get that 3rd and 4,” Metzel said.
Camara, a four-star prospect who recently moved to Gilmer from his hometown of Le Mans, France, already feels a special connection with his teammates.
“This is my family. I’m always out here working. I’m spending more time with them than at home,” Camara said.
“He can play defensive line. He can play offensive line. He’s quick. His feet are nice, his hands are…like he’s an athlete, yes, sir. He’ll play at the next level for sure,” Hagler added.
The talent is there, but as Metzel puts it, the experience Gilmer returns is invaluable.
“There’s a hunger right now that you’ve gotta have to go achieve great things,” Metzel said.
Gilmer will head down to Longview week one to take on Pine Tree on Friday, August 29. Kickoff between the Buckeyes and Pirates is set for 7:30 p.m. at Pirate Stadium in Longview.
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Category: General Sports
