Kilgore vs Gilmer met on Sept. 2, 2022 at Jeff Traylor Stadium in Gilmer. The two teams will tangle again on Friday back in Gilmer. (Longview News-Journal File Photo)

Time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Stadium: Jeff Traylor Stadium, 308 North Bradford Street, Gilmer, 75644

Coaches:

Kilgore: Clint Fuller

Gilmer: Alan Metzel

WHEN KILGORE HAS THE BALL

Players to watch

Kilgore: Kayson Brooks (256 passing yards and three passing touchdowns) … Isaiah Watters (103 rushing yards, 57 receiving yards, two rushing touchdowns, and one receiving touchdown) … Jayden Sanders (126 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown) … Rayshaun Williams (99 rushing yards, 11 receiving yards, and one rushing touchdown) … Takieran White (20 receiving yards) … La’Keyleon Graves (20 receiving yards) … Jacory Walton (15 receiving yards) … David McGowan (eight rushing yards) … Javon Towns (seven receiving yards)

Gilmer: Brayden Pate (24 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hurry) … Trey Lee (23 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks) … Devin McDonald (19 tackles, three quarterback hurries, two tackles for loss, and one blocked field goal) … Geramiah Noble (17 tackles, two quarterback hurries, one tackle for loss, one interception, and one pass deflection) … Tyler Hagler (17 tackles, two tackles for loss, one quarterback hurry, and one blocked field goal) … Jet Bates (16 tackles, and two quarterback hurries) … Alex Guillen (15 tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, and one sack) … Davion King (15 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hurry) … Amauri Morton (10 tackles, and one tackle for loss)

Keys: Kilgore has averaged 23.5 points per games during its 2-0 start to the season, and needs to push for more points when it faces Gilmer on Friday. Luckily for the Bulldogs, they have a unit that features explosive talents like Kayson Brooks, Isaiah Watters, Jayden Sanders, Rayshaun Williams, Takieran White, La’Keyleon Graves, Jacory Walton, David McGowan and Javon Towns. Gilmer’s defense, meanwhile, has allowed 27.5 points to opponents this season, so it needs to lower that number against an opponent like Kilgore. The Buckeyes will lean on Brayden Pate, Trey Lee, Devin McDonald, Geramiah Noble, Tyler Hagler, Jet Bates, Alex Guillen, Davion King, and Amauri Morton on that side of the ball.

WHEN GILMER HAS THE BALL

Players to watch

Gilmer: Brady McCown (419 passing yards, 104 receiving yards, and three touchdowns) … Brendan Webb (179 receiving yards, seven rushing yards, and three receiving touchdowns) … Solomon Jackson (104 receiving yards) … Trillyon Butler (96 rushing yards, seven receiving yards, and one rushing touchdown) … Alec Sims (50 rushing yards, 43 receiving yards, and one rushing touchdown) … Geramiah Noble (69 receiving yards) … Atavian Ector (35 rushing yards) … Zade Taylor (20 receiving yards and seven rushing yards) … Daydrion Jimmerson (11 rushing yards) … Mykah Easley (seven receiving yards)

Kilgore: La’Perrion Graves (23 tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, and one fumble recovery) … Jakalen Sheffield (14 tackles and two interceptions) … La’Keyleon Graves (13 tackles, two pass breakups, one tackle for loss, and one interception) … Javon Towns (13 tackles, two pass breakups, and one interception) … Jackson Phillips (11 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two quarterback hurries) … Jamarian Morgan (11 tackles, one interception, and one quarterback hurry) … David McGowan (10 tackles and one forced fumble) … Wylie Mitchell (seven tackles and one quarterback hurry) … Bi’Syn Williams (six tackles, and one tackle for loss) … Jayden Sanders (five tackles, four pass breakups, two tackles for loss, one interception, and one quarterback hurry)

Keys: Gilmer continues its non-district gauntlet with a battle with Kilgore on Friday. The winless Buckeyes expect another challenge this week, so their offense needs to continue to fight. Gilmer has two losses against 2-0 teams this season by a combined 11 points, so it needs more production from Brady McCown, Brendan Webb, Solomon Jackson, Trillyon Butler, Alec Sims, Geramiah Noble, Atavian Ector, Zade Taylor, Daydrion Jimmerson and Mykah Easley. Undefeated Kilgore plans to slow down this week’s competition with a defensive lineup of La’Perrion Graves, Jakalen Sheffield, La’Keyleon Graves, Javon Towns, Jackson Phillips, Jamarian Morgan, David McGowan, Wylie Mitchell, Bi’Syn Williams and Jayden Sanders.

Did you know: Kilgore will meet Gilmer for the seventh time since 2008 … The Bulldogs own a 4-2 series edge during that stretch after wins in 2008, 2009, 2013 and 2023 … The Buckeyes, meanwhile, prevailed in 2012 and 2022 … Both programs have won football state championships in the 21st century … Gilmer has earned the 2004 Class 3A Division II, 2009 Class 3A Division I, 2014 Class 4A Division II and 2023 Class 4A Division II titles … Kilgore’s lone crown arrived after the 2004 Class 4A Division II state championship contest.

Last Week: Kilgore 27, Whitehouse 7; Chapel Hill 33, Gilmer 29

Up next: Pleasant Grove at Kilgore; Gilmer at Lindale