High School Sports

By SHANE STARK
Staff Writer

There will be at least two reunions on the opening night of the East Texas Football Classic.

First, the Gilmer Buckeyes and Jasper Bulldogs will meet for the first time since the 2004 Class 3A Division II state final. In addition, Jasper head coach Thomas Brooks will return to Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium for the first time since stepping down at John Tyler.

No. 10 Gilmer (14-1 last season) and Jasper (7-5) are scheduled to meet at 7:30 p.m. today. The matchup will be followed by Lufkin and Robert E. Lee on Friday, and Texas High and John Tyler on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Gladewater Kickoff Classic begins tonight with Center taking on Gladewater. The event will continue Friday with Spring Hill meeting Lindale, and Saturday with Troup playing Elysian Fields. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. each night.

The championship game between Gilmer and Jasper was an instant classic. Never state champs before, the Buckeyes finished up a spotless season with a 49-47 victory at Stephen F. Austin's Homer Bryce Stadium.

The game saw scoring spurts by both teams. At one point, Gilmer led by 22 points prior to a furious comeback by underdog Jasper.

It was the final game for Gilmer quarterback Manuel Johnson, the state player of the year and current Oklahoma receiver. Johnson put a fitting end to one of the best careers in school history, completing 16 of 27 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns.

It was the second state final Gilmer has competed in during the last four years. The Buckeyes reached the 3A Division I championship last season, but weren't as fortunate in a humbling 38-13 loss to Liberty Hill.

Jasper went to the regional semifinals in its first year under Brooks. Having transformed John Tyler into a playoff team in 2005 and 2006, Brooks has made similar strides at Jasper, which went 2-8 just two seasons ago.