October 26, 2026 - (Photo Album) - The Center Roughriders varsity football team suffered a 67-29 point District 8 4A-2 football loss to the Gilmer Buckeyes on Thursday. However, the score was not indicative of the Center Roughriders under the Thursday Night Lights. Down to 16 players on the field due to injuries, most notably starting QB Easton Wulf, Zy Villegas (RB) and JK Barnes (WR/OLB), the Riders fought till the bitter end.
The game started with a penalty against the Riders on the opening kickoff, followed by Jerzyri Johnson’s 80-yard kickoff return for Gilmer. Buckeye’s take the early lead 7-0 and 14 seconds off the play clock. Starting midfield, QB Jojo Mitchell answered back with a 47-yard touchdown pass to Christyce Barnes; Oswaldo Reyes’ extra-point was good, the score tied 7-7. The Riders had an onside kick around the 40-yard line, which the Buckeyes went in for another kickoff return, this time by Avian Phillips. The score now 14-7 with 1 minute and 19 seconds in total play time. On the Rider’s next drive, at 2nd & 14, Mitchell’s pass intended for Cason Greer was intercepted by Gilmer. A flag against the Buckeye’s held off the pick-six. Kaden Kennedy rushed from the 16-yard line for another Gilmer touchdown; Gilmer up 21-7.
The Riders started their next drive on their own 45-yard line after #35, Jayden Henderson, had a big kickoff return. Mitchell fakes the handoff to Zy Villegas for a 25-yard rushing gain. But a fumble on the following passoff was recovered by Gilmer. Saved by 3 flags, Gilmer was brought back to their own 35-yard line. The Rider’s Zamarkus Moton not only forces a fumble, but recovers the ball, putting the Riders back in Gilmer territory, but was unable to score on the drive. Henderson’s punt and tackles made by Colin Chandler, Payden Fountain and Cason Greer slowed down Gilmer’s running game, but could not stop them from scoring; 28-7 at the end of the first quarter.
At the top of the 2nd quarter, Jojo Mitchell ran for a 25-yard gain, but a penalty against the Riders and good defensive play stopped them from advancing much further. The Buckeyes scored again on the following drive; 35-7 with 8:53 left in the half. Gilmer had another touchdown on their next drive, jumping ahead 42-7 with just under 7 minutes remaining in the half. At 3rd & 12 for the Riders, Mitchell found Henderson who got the ball just shy of midfield, but Gilmer’s defense got a strip-pick. Luckily, the penalty went in favor of the Riders and the ball was returned to them at Center’s 20-yard line. With another shot at 1st and 10, Jaysis Villegas carried the ball for a 20-yard gain. Another penalty against Gilmer bumped the Riders up to the Buckeyes’ 40-yard line. The Riders had a turnover on downs at the 39-yard line. The Buckeyes scored on the subsequent drive. After a pass intended for #27, Dylan Tibbs, was intercepted by Gilmer, the Buckeyes made it into the endzone one last time before the half. Gilmer extended their lead 55-7.
The Riders opened the 2nd half at their 39-yard line. Center’s offensive line moved the ball down the field effectively; now in the red zone, Villegas made it in for a touchdown; Riders got back on the scoreboard, 55-14. The Buckeyes started their first drive of the 3rd quarter at their own 46-yard line. On their first 4th down of the game, Gilmer was stopped short of the 1st down by a yard; Riders took over on downs at their 20-yard line. Mitchell connected with Chandler for a 34-yard pass to put them inside the Buckeyes’ 30-yard line. Barnes was in for the catch to put them at 1st and goal. Villegas carried the ball into the endzone for back-to-back touchdowns and a two-point conversion; Center narrowed the gap 55-22. Neither team scored the remainder of the 3rd quarter.
Gilmer started the final quarter with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Ty Stephenson. The extra-point attempt was blocked by #10, Westin Wulf, where he was brought down at the 40-yard line; score of 61-22 Gilmer. The Riders offense fought for every yard they gained; at the 28-yard line, Mitchell found Barnes for a touchdown; 61-29 with 4:45 left in the game. Gilmer scored one last time, clinching the win 67-29.
The Roughriders will host the Pittsburg Pirates on Friday, October 30, 2026 for Senior Night. Kickoff at Roughriders Stadium will be at 7:30pm. Pittsburg is 5-3 overall and 2-1 in District 8 after beating Spring Hill 58-35 on Friday.
