Gilmer wide receiver Cadon Tenison and Kilgore corner back #7 ( not listed on Max Preps) fight for the ball in the endzone on a pass during the varsity football game on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Jeff Traylor Stadium in Gilmer. (Courtney Case/News-Journal Photo)

GILMER — The Kilgore Bulldogs ran out of time, and defending state champion Gilmer is back in the win column.

Trillyon Butler scored on a 26-yard run with 1:26 remaining in the game, and the Gilmer Buckeyes held on for a 24-22 win over the Kilgore Bulldogs on Friday at Jeff Traylor Stadium.

The win is the first of the season for Gilmer, which has played a brutal schedule including unbeaten Pine Tree (3-0) and Chapel Hill (3-0) before facing off against previously unbeaten Kilgore.

Kilgore drops to 2-1 on the year after wins over Carthage and Whitehouse.

Kilgore got on the board first when Kayson Brooks connected with Jayden Sanders on a 67-yard touchdown pass with 5:50 left in the first quarter.

Gilmer moved the ball on its next drive, including completions of 25 and 20 yards from Brady McCown to Geramiah Noble, but a sack by Kilgore and then an unsuccessful try on fourth down turned the ball over to the visiting Bulldogs.

Kilgore took advantage and got a 35-yard field goal from Eddie Jimenez for a 10-0 lead with 10:30 left in the second quarter.

A 5-yard TD run pulled Gilmer to within 10-7 with 4:12 left in the half, and after Kilgore fumbled away the ensuing kickoff Gilmer got a 40-yard field goal from Pate with 1:23 left to make it 10-10 at halftime.

Alec Sims’ 4-yard TD run with 8:58 left in the third put Gilmer in front 17-10, but Kilgore came back in the fourth quarter with a 60-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to Rayshaun Williams to take a 22-17 lead.

Butler’s TD run with 1:26 left moved Gilmer back in front, but Kilgore still had a chance. After taking over at the Gilmer 45, a 20-yard pass from Brooks to Javon Towns moved the Bulldogs into field goal range, but an injury forced a 10-second runoff on the clock and ended the game.

The meeting was the seventh between Kilgore and Gilmer since 2008. Kilgore now owns a 4-3 advantage during that stretch, with wins in 2008, 2009, 2013 and 2023.

Kilgore will host Pleasant Grove and Gilmer visits Lindale next week.