Talk about a battle of contrasting styles. Gilmer simply wants to outscore you. It has no fear of getting into a shootout. Last week, it allowed 42 points against Glen Rose and still won by 37.
Bellville, meanwhile, has more of a smashmouth style. The Brahmas are going to almost exclusively rely on their rushing attack in their slot-T offense. Their defense is much more stout as well, allowing just over a touchdown a game.
Who’s approach will win?
Here’s what to watch for on Friday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00.
Gilmer Buckeyes (12-3)
Head Coach: Alan Metzel (4th season; 52-8)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 143 miles
2023 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 69-42 vs. Center
Area: W 41-38 vs. Sunnyvale
Regional Semifinal: W 34-21 vs. Aubrey
Regional Final: W 47-44 vs. Carthage
State Semifinals: W 79-42 vs. Glen Rose
Key Players and Storylines
Anytime Carthage loses, the state takes notice. The Bulldogs have lost just five games in the last eight years. However, Gilmer was able to upset the Bulldogs in a 47-44 overtime thriller, clearing the path for them to make it back to the state title game for the first time in two years.
Recently, AT&T Stadium hasn’t been a happy place for the Buckeyes. They’ve lost each of their last two state title game appearances.
They’ll hope their offense can give Bellville’s stingy defense some problems on Friday.
Gilmer has three future Division I players leading the way on offense. It all starts with senior running back Will Henderson, who is a three-star prospect. He rushed for 271 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries last week. He now has 2,510 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns on the season.
The Buckeyes can also strike in a hurry. Quarterback Cadon Tennison has 2,474 passing yards and 25 touchdowns this year. He has plenty of athleticism too. He is currently being looked at as a potential safety at the next level. With such a high-flying offense, Tennison has ample opportunities to spread the ball around. Ta’Erik Tate (1,074 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns), Brendan Webb (840 yards and 11 touchdowns), and Geremiah Noble (552 receiving yards and four touchdowns) have all been plenty busy in the passing game this year.
Defensively, Gilmer has given up its share of points on the season, but they are still a threat to force turnovers. Mykah Easley had his first two interceptions of the year last week, while Webb has four on the season.
In the front seven, Aron Bell and Kamrym Brown are the players to watch. Bell leads Gilmer with 120 tackles, while Brown has 10 sacks on the season.
Bellville Brahmas (15-0)
Head Coach: Grady Rowe (13th season; 131-34)
Distance to AT&T Stadium: 244 miles
2023 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 49-7 vs. West Orange-Stark
Area: W 67-0 vs. Madisonville
Regional Semifinals: W 61-7 vs. Silsbee
Regional Final: W 31-7 vs. Jasper
State Semifinals: W 35-33 vs. Wimberley
Key Players and Storylines
It has been quite the run for Bellville. It made back-to-back statement victories over Silsbee and Jasper before stuffing Wimberley on a two-point conversion last week to secure a spot in the title game.
Here’s is the goal line stop Bellville made on a 2pt conversion to beat Wimberley 35-33. @BellvilleSports @TexanFball #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/NTACPlC88s
— Travis Recek (@TravisRecek) December 9, 2023
Friday will be the first time Bellville plays for a state title since 1977. The Brahmas also made it in 1960. However, they lost both of those games.
They’ll hope their simple philosophy will bring them home their first-ever state title this year. Offensively, they want to run the ball and run it a lot. They have thrown just 28 passes this season. Defensively, they want to go hit someone. In 11 of their 15 games this season, the Brahmas have held their opponents to 7 points or less.
Bellville has three 1,000-yard backs it will rely on to carry the football in junior DD Murray (1,991 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns), Sam Hranicky (1,848 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns), and Corrian Hood (1,556 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns). Against Wimberley, those three players accounted for 270 of Bellville’s 273 offensive yards.
Defensively, the Brahmas are anchored in the trenches by four-star defensive lineman DJ Sanders (105 tackles, 15 sacks). Linebacker Connor Gaines is Bellville’s go-to tackler, while defensive back Hunter Kunkel has proven to be a ballhawk with six interceptions this year.
Final Thoughts
Both teams come into this game hungry.
For Bellville, it will be all about slowing down Gilmer’s explosive attack. Brahmas head coach Grady Rowe said his defense must get pressure on Tennison and tackle in the open field as they look to prevent the big play.
On the other sideline, Gilmer head coach Alan Metzel said in order to counter Bellville’s stingy defense, his team must avoid three-and-outs. If they can extend drives throughout the game, he hopes the Brahmas will wear down and allow Gilmer more opportunities to hit those big plays Rowe and company will be looking to prevent.
On both sides of the ball, this game though will likely come down to the line of scrimmage. Metzel said that Bellville has controlled the line of scrimmage in every single game it has played.
Whether the Buckeyes can be disruptive and throw Bellville’s slot-T offense off will play a big role in deciding who wins this game.
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