It’s remarkable what Gilmer’s Alan Metzel has done in 4 short years as Head Football Coach. He’s won 21 of 24 playoff games with 3 trips to Jerry World. The Buckeyes win their 4th State Title in 9 appearances and Metzel’s first as a Head Coach. Alan is the nicest guy you will ever meet and hails from the Jeff Traylor coaching tree that’s turning into 5 trees! The Gilmer stadium is named after Metzel’s good buddy and the two combined for 3 State Championships together building Gilmer into a State & National power! UTSA’s Traylor left the perennial power in good hands with his assistants Matt Turner and Metzel. Eventually Metzel would get his shot as Head Coach after 17 years of being an assistant in the storied program. Traylor talks so fondly of Metzel and was at AT&T Stadium for his protege’s crowning moment!

What a journey it was… the Buckeyes started 0-2 and completely changed the defense at midseason when they were 3-3. That genius move rattled off 10 straight wins and the coveted Class-4AD2 State Championship. In the quarterfinals, Gilmer finally got over the hump and upended their heated rival Carthage! In the State Championship, it pitted the top two offenses in the State that couldn't be more different. Bellville’s Slot “T” and #1 Offense in the state against a traditional offense based on speed and talent. Gilmer’s revamped defense held an offense scoring 53 ppg to just 26 points in the Title Game! Gilmer is led by endless talent and a community that supports them through adversity. Super Stars like Cadon Tennison, Will Henderson, and Brendon Webb lead the way in a season inspired by the Japanese word Kaizen…continuous improvement!