Aron Bell

COMMERCE — Gilmer’s defense came up with three consecutive big plays in the fourth quarter, topped off by Aron Bell’s 87-yard interception for a touchdown as the Buckeyes scored a 34-21 victory over Aubrey on Friday in a Class 4A Division II regional playoff game on Ernest Hawkins Field at Lion Memorial Stadium.

The Buckeyes (10-3) will now meet old rival Carthage (13-0) next week in the state quarterfinals. Gilmer Coach Alan Metzel said the contest is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium in Tyler. Aubrey ends its season at 8-5. The Chaparrals had won eight straight games.

“We came out after halftime with a chip on our shoulder,” said Bell as the Buckeyes trailed 21-17 at halftime. “We executed and stopped them in the second half.”

After Brayden Pate kicked a 26-yard field goal to give the Buckeyes a 27-21 lead with 7:44 on the clock in the fourth, the Chaps drove down the field. After reaching the Gilmer 21, the Buckeye defense rose to the occasion.

First Bell stopped Emerson Cagle for no gain, followed Eliez Castillo throwing Cagle for a five-yard loss, setting up fourth-and-11.

Aubrey tried a wheel route and Bell leaped high to snag the ball and he was off to the races. He rumbled down the sideline, diving into the end zone, outlasting Chaparral quarterback Brock Temple’s last attempt for a tackle.

“We saw them run that route before and my coach said watch the fullback coming out of the backfield,” Bell said. “Brayden Pate and I were talking about it too, so I give credit to him too.

“I didn’t think I would get to the goal line. I was so tired.”

Metzel noted how far the Gilmer defene has come.

“Early in the year, that’s where we were struggling,” he said of his defense. “On that first game against Chapel Hill we had seven or eight guys who were not starters or even on the field last year. They just stayed with it the whole season. It wasn’t a one week deal, it was just chipping away.

“Tonight they rounded into a very formidable team and they made huge plays tonight.”

After Bell’s score and Pate’s PAT, the Buckeyes led 34-21 with 4:56 remaining.

On Aubrey’s next two possessions, Ta’Eric Tate and Geramiah Noble picked off passes to secure the win.

Gilmer actually took leads of 10-0 and 17-7 before the Chaparrals stormed back for a 21-17 halftime lead.

In the first quarter, Buckeyes QB Cadon Tennison jetted to a 75-yard TD run with 8:33 showing. Pate made the PAT for a 7-0 lead.

Pate then booted a 34-yard field goal with 57 seconds left in the first period.

Aubrey got on the board when Jaedon Boger hit Tyler Brown for a 21-yard TD pass. Spencer Berger’s kick pulled the Chaps within 10-7 with 10:02 showing in the second.

Gilmer went back up by 10, 17-7, as Brendan Webb hauled in a 19-yard pass from Tennison. Pate made the PAT.

Then Aubrey took a 21-17 halftime lead as Cagle scored on a 9-yard run with 2:57 on the clock and then with 15 seconds showing, Brown hauled in another 21-yard TD pass from Bogar. Berger made both PATs.

“At halftime Coach Metzel asked us if we wanted to go home or keep playing,” Bell said. “We said we wanted to keep playing.”

And play they did, blanking the Chaparrals in the second half.

With 7:02 in the third, Will Henderson found the end zone from the 7. Pate’s kick put the Buckeyes up 24-21.

That set up the dramatic fourth period.

Gilmer limited Aubrey to four first downs in the second half, three of which came after the game had been decided.

Henderson led Gilmer on the ground with 133 yards on 22 carries. Tennison added 98 yards on eight carries and threw for 173 yards (11-of-21-0). Tate had three catches for 82 yards.

Cagle led the Chaps with 107 yards on 17 carries. Brown had six catches for 80 yards.

Bogar was 9 of 17 for 119 yards and two interceptions. Temple was 0-2 with an interception.