JOE DODD: 2026 GILMER BUCKEYES FOOTBALL • GAME INFORMATION & NOTES
GILMER at TYLER CHAPEL HILL 

2026 GILMER BUCKEYES FOOTBALL • GAME INFORMATION & NOTES

GILMER at TYLER CHAPEL HILL

Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 • Bulldog Stadium • Tyler, Texas

GILMER BUCKEYES TYLER CHAPEL HILL BULLDOGS Class 4A Division II • District 8 Class 4A Division I

2026: 0-1 2026: 0-1

Head Coach: Alan Metzel • 7th season • 64-20 Head Coach: Jeff Riordan Week 1: Pine Tree 52, Gilmer 40 Week 1: Whitehouse 37, Chapel Hill 14 GAME SITE — NEWLY RENOVATED BULLDOG STADIUM

 The Gilmer game will be Chapel Hill’s first home game in the newly renovated Bulldog Stadium.   The $12 million renovation and expansion is the stadium’s first expansive overhaul in more than 50  years.

 Improvements include renovated bleachers, a new press box, an improved concession stand and a  reversal of the home and visitor sides.

 The renovated stadium now seats almost 7,000.

 Chapel Hill’s coach-submitted stadium timeline lists new turf in 2023, a video board in 2024, visitor  restrooms and the indoor facility in 2025, and new home-side seating, press box, concessions and  home restrooms in 2026.

 Bulldog Stadium address: 13172 State Highway 64 East, Tyler, Texas 75707.

 A separate 57,000-square-foot multipurpose indoor activities center opened on the Chapel Hill campus  in August 2025.

MAIN STORYLINES

 Both teams enter Week 2 at 0-1 after high-scoring or decisive opening-week losses: Pine Tree defeated  Gilmer 52-40, while Whitehouse defeated Chapel Hill 37-14.

 Chapel Hill has won the last three meetings with Gilmer — 71-53 in 2023, 33-29 in 2024 and 41-26 in  2025 — after Gilmer won the first nine meetings.

 The Bulldogs return 25 lettermen, six offensive starters and four defensive starters from a 6-5 playoff  team, according to Chapel Hill’s 2026 Smoaky.com coach submission.

 Chapel Hill’s Week 1 loss showed two major areas to watch: Whitehouse rushed 58 times for 327 yards,  while Chapel Hill produced 282 total yards.

 PigskinPrep.com’s Week 2 projection makes Gilmer a 12-point favorite. Gilmer is No. 14 in 4A Division II  and Chapel Hill is No. 35 in 4A Division I.

 PigskinPrep.com’s strength-of-schedule ratings rank both teams No. 1 in their respective classifications  after Week 1: Gilmer is No. 1 in Class 4A Division II with a 157.13 opponent rating, while Chapel Hill is  No. 1 in Class 4A Division I with a 150.48 opponent rating.

 Gilmer’s scouting emphasis is clear from the Pine Tree film review: protect the football, improve  defensive gap integrity, reduce explosive plays and sustain positive offensive plays.  TYLER CHAPEL HILL — 2026 SNAPSHOT

 Head coach Jeff Riordan is in his eighth year at Chapel Hill. The Zone lists him at 62-32 at Chapel Hill  and 129-49 overall entering 2026.

 Chapel Hill finished 6-5 in 2025, went 3-3 in district play and reached the Class 4A Division I bi-district  round.

 Chapel Hill’s 2026 Smoaky.com coach submission lists 25 returning lettermen, six offensive starters and  four defensive starters.

 PigskinPrep.com ranked Chapel Hill No. 21 in Class 4A Division I in the preseason. After Week 1,  Chapel Hill is No. 35; Gilmer is No. 14 in Class 4A Division II.

 Chapel Hill’s current Smoaky.com coach submission lists a spread offense and a multiple defense with  a base 4-2. The Zone lists a 4-2-5 defense, consistent with a multiple structure.

 Program history: Chapel Hill has won two state championships (1989 and 2011) and has four state  championship-game appearances (1989, 2010, 2011 and 2023).

 The Zone lists Chapel Hill’s all-time record at 373-433-12 entering 2026.

 Chapel Hill has made six consecutive playoff appearances. From 2021-24 the Bulldogs advanced at  least four rounds every season, including the 2023 state final and two semifinal appearances, before a  first-round loss in 2025.

Updated Aug. 29, 2026 • Prepared for media and coaching use

2026 GILMER BUCKEYES FOOTBALL • GAME INFORMATION & NOTES

 Offensive coordinator: AJ Johnson. Defensive coordinator: Craig McFarlin.

 Chapel Hill’s coach-submitted preseason strengths were senior leadership and a veteran class playing  with urgency; the principal concern was depth and youth at several positions.

 The Bulldogs’ most recent district championship was 2022. Chapel Hill reached at least the regional final round four consecutive seasons from 2021 through 2024.

CHAPEL HILL PLAYERS TO WATCH

 WR Maliek Brown, Sr. (listed 6-3 to 6-4, 185-190): Kansas commit who caught 45 passes for 803 yards  and 11 touchdowns in 2025. He had three catches for 52 yards in the 2026 opener against Whitehouse.   RB Lemuel “Man-Man” Stinson, Sr. (5-9, 175-185): rushed 128 times for 1,037 yards and five  touchdowns in 2025. He opened 2026 with 108 yards on 10 carries against Whitehouse.   DL Kae’den Franklin, Sr. (about 6-0/6-1, 270-275): recorded 113 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, seven  sacks and one interception in 2025.

 QB Ja’Kaivion Snow, Jr. (5-11, 150-155): was 14-of-19 for 207 yards and two touchdowns and rushed  for 96 yards and three scores as a sophomore. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 166 yards and a  touchdown against Whitehouse.

 WR Jeremiah Hinojosa caught three passes for 61 yards against Whitehouse, including Chapel Hill’s  42-yard fourth-quarter touchdown.

 Other players to watch include DB/WR Ke’Rion Green (62 tackles, four interceptions and a pick-six in  2025), OL Amari McCuin, OL McCade Rogers, LB/WR Kayden Carey, OL Isaac Mitchell, DL Noah  Prieto (42 tackles, three TFL), DB Ja’Corian Wade, DB/WR Keelan Banks, QB/WR/DB Dylan Linder  and K Estevan Sandoval, who made five field goals in 2025.

CHAPEL HILL SCOUTING NOTES

 Chapel Hill’s defining offensive trait is team speed. The Bulldogs spread the field horizontally and  vertically and try to create space for athletes.

 Snow gives Chapel Hill a mobile quarterback. His escapability adds a running threat even when the  initial pass concept is covered.

 Brown’s size and speed can force a safety to remain out of the box, affecting run-support numbers.   Franklin is the defensive player Gilmer must account for up front because of his combination of size,  power, athleticism and production.

 Chapel Hill’s defensive team speed can erase mistakes and force offenses to execute additional plays  to finish drives.

 Whitehouse’s 327 rushing yards provide an obvious area for Gilmer to test, especially after Gilmer’s run  game became more effective as the Pine Tree opener progressed.

CHAPEL HILL WEEK 1 — WHITEHOUSE 37, CHAPEL HILL 14

 Whitehouse led 17-3 at halftime and pulled away in the second half.

 Chapel Hill’s first two scores were field goals of 26 and 31 yards by Estevan Sandoval.   Whitehouse rushed 58 times for 327 yards and four touchdowns.

 Chapel Hill finished with 282 total yards.

 Stinson rushed 10 times for 108 yards. Snow was 11-of-18 passing for 166 yards and one touchdown.   Hinojosa had three receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown; Brown caught three passes for 52 yards.   Defensively, Ja’Corian Wade recovered a Whitehouse fumble forced by Keelan Banks, and Banks later  intercepted a pass in the end zone.

 Chapel Hill’s only touchdown came with 4:41 remaining on a 42-yard pass from Snow to Hinojosa.

Updated Aug. 29, 2026 • Prepared for media and coaching use

2026 GILMER BUCKEYES FOOTBALL • GAME INFORMATION & NOTES

GILMER — 2026 SNAPSHOT

 Gilmer is 0-1 after a 52-40 loss at Longview Pine Tree in the season opener.

 The Buckeyes entered 2026 after a 4-7 season in 2025, only the program’s second losing season since  1996.

 Gilmer reached the playoffs for the 25th consecutive season in 2025 but lost 57-49 to Athens in bi district.

 Alan Metzel’s first four Gilmer teams went 52-8, reached three state championship games and won the  2023 Class 4A Division II title.

 Gilmer entered 2026 ranked No.9 in Class 4A Division II by PigskinPrep.com and is No.14 after Week 1.   The Buckeyes return senior quarterback Zade Taylor, who accounted for 2,815 yards of offense and 29  touchdowns in 2025.

 Gilmer’s 2026 team-selected motto is “All In.”

GILMER PERSONNEL TO WATCH

 QB Zade Taylor, Sr.: 2,155 passing yards and 22 touchdown passes plus 660 rushing yards and seven  touchdowns in 2025.

 RB/LB Tayveon Horne, Jr.: 991 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in 2025, plus 21 receptions for 184  yards and a score.

 OL/DL/FB Ismael Camara, Sr. (6-7, about 343): committed to Texas and being used in multiple roles to  put him at the point of attack.

 WR/OLB Kipton Neighbors, Jr.: move-in from Mineola who accounted for 2,540 combined passing,  rushing and receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in 2025.

 WR/S Kaden Canady, Fr.: opened the season in the starting receiver rotation and produced 134 all purpose yards against Pine Tree — 9 rushing, 35 receiving, 41 on kickoff returns and 49 on punt  returns.

 Gilmer’s defensive front returned to an odd alignment this season, with increased depth and a planned  rotation.

WEEK 1 GILMER NOTES — PINE TREE 52, GILMER 40

 Gilmer scored 40 points in the opener but allowed 52.

 Gilmer forced and recovered a Pine Tree fumble in the first quarter but finished minus-three in turnover  margin because of the four interceptions.

 Gilmer committed four turnovers, all interceptions. Pine Tree returned one interception 54 yards for a  touchdown; the other three interceptions ended Gilmer possessions at the Pine Tree 8, Pine Tree 22  and Pine Tree 37.

 Gilmer trailed 35-14 in the second quarter, cut the deficit to 38-27 on Zade Taylor’s 2-yard touchdown  run as time expired in the first half, then scored first in the third quarter to pull within 38-34. Gilmer later  cut Pine Tree’s lead to 45-40 with 8:27 remaining before Pine Tree scored the final touchdown with 2:32  left.

 Special teams were a major positive. Jerzyri Johnson returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.  Freshman Kaden Canady added a 41-yard kickoff return and punt returns of 10 and 39 yards; his 39- yard punt return helped set up Gilmer’s final touchdown.

 Gilmer shifted more heavily toward zone concepts and heavier personnel as the game progressed,  helping the running game become increasingly effective.

 Ismael Camara recorded a rushing attempt from the fullback role, reinforcing Gilmer’s plan to use the  Texas commit as a multiposition point-of-attack player.

 Tayveon Horne scored three rushing touchdowns, from 3, 15 and 7 yards. Kipton Neighbors was  involved as a runner, receiver and returner and also handled Gilmer’s only punt, a 42-yarder.  SERIES HISTORY

 Last meeting: 2025 — Chapel Hill 41, Gilmer 26.

 All-time series record: Gilmer leads 9-3.

 Gilmer won the first nine meetings; Chapel Hill has won the last three.

 The last three meetings have produced 253 combined points — Chapel Hill 145, Gilmer 108.

Updated Aug. 29, 2026 • Prepared for media and coaching use

2026 GILMER BUCKEYES FOOTBALL • GAME INFORMATION & NOTES

ALL-TIME GILMER–CHAPEL HILL SCORES

Year Winner / Score Opponent / Score 1951 Gilmer 19 Chapel Hill 0 1962 Gilmer 16 Chapel Hill 0 1963 Gilmer 33 Chapel Hill 0 1970 Gilmer 33 Chapel Hill 15 2008 Gilmer 35 Chapel Hill 6 2009 Gilmer 45 Chapel Hill 7 2012 Gilmer 50 Chapel Hill 28 2013 Gilmer 56 Chapel Hill 28 2022 Gilmer 51 Chapel Hill 24 2023 Chapel Hill 71 Gilmer 53 2024 Chapel Hill 33 Gilmer 29 2025 Chapel Hill 41 Gilmer 26 GILMER HISTORICAL NOTES

 Gilmer began playing football in 1914 and has never had a winless season.

 Gilmer’s all-time record is 759-409-39.

 Gilmer’s 759 all-time victories rank 12th in Texas high school football history, according to  PigskinPrep.com.

 Gilmer’s 1,207 games played rank 13th in Texas high school football history, according to  PigskinPrep.com.

 Gilmer’s 39 district championships are tied for the 10th most in Texas high school football history,  according to PigskinPrep.com.

 Gilmer’s 28 seasons with 10 or more wins are tied for the 11th most in Texas high school football  history, according to PigskinPrep.com.

 Gilmer has recorded 16 undefeated regular seasons, tied for the seventh most in Texas high school  football history, according to PigskinPrep.com.

 Gilmer is 291-63 since 2000 (83%).

 Gilmer is 218-42 in regular-season games since 2000 (84%).

 The Chapel Hill game will be the 1,208th game in Gilmer football history.

 The Buckeyes have won four state championships — 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2023 — and have  appeared in nine state championship games.

 Gilmer’s 9 appearances in the state championship game are the second most in Class 4A and tied for  the 17th most among all classifications in Texas high school football history, according to the University  Interscholastic League.

 Gilmer is 102-35-1 in playoff games and 363-189-18 in district games through 2025.   Gilmer’s 17 straight seasons reaching at least the third round of the playoffs ran from 2007 through  2023.

 The 52-40 Pine Tree game extended Gilmer’s scoring streak to 103 consecutive games. The last  shutout loss was 14-0 to Pleasant Grove in 2018.

 Since 2000, Gilmer is 249-16 when scoring at least 30 points after the 52-40 loss to Pine Tree. The  Buckeyes were 245-13 through 2024 and went 4-2 in 30-point games in 2025.

 Gilmer has lost only 19 games since 1980 when scoring at least 30 points, with the Pine Tree opener  becoming the latest such loss.

QUICK MEDIA NOTES

 Chapel Hill has scored at least 33 points in each of its last three games against Gilmer.   Gilmer scored 53 in the 2023 meeting and still lost, 71-53 — the highest-scoring game in the series.   The 2026 meeting will be the fourth consecutive year Gilmer and Chapel Hill have played.   Gilmer and Chapel Hill have combined for 13 state championship-game appearances and six state  championships.

 From 2021 through 2024, Chapel Hill advanced to at least the regional final every season, including a  2023 Class 4A Division I state-final appearance.

 The last two meetings were decided by four points in 2024 and 15 points in 2025.   Both teams enter the game trying to avoid an 0-2 start.

Updated Aug. 29, 2026 • Prepared for media and coaching use