Published: August 29, 2008 08:13 am      

Opener arrives for Cards

TVCC entertains Dodge City in 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday

The Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals begin what they hope will be a turnaround season Saturday at home against Dodge City Community College. Game time at Bruce Field is 7 p.m.

TVCC is looking to bounce back from a 2-7 and to halt a six-game losing streak. The Cardinals won two of their first three games last year before losing out.

Second-year TVCC head coach Brad Smiley’s squad returns a bevy of experience and are deep in talent at several key positions.

Playmakers are abundant as well, according to Smiley.

“That’s one of the biggest differences,” Smiley said last week. “Last year we didn’t have any playmakers. This year, we feel we’ve got some guys who can make the plays.”

The Cardinals return 24 lettermen, including eight offensive and nine defensive starters.

Dodge City experience a season similar to the Cardinals last year. The Kansas-based school went 1-8 in Bob Majeski’s first season as head coach.

Majeski is a former assistant coach at TVCC.

The Conquistadors are picked to finis seventh in the eight-team Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.

TVCC has been picked to finish sixth in the eight-team Southwest Junior College Football Conference.

“We aren’t relying on a lot of freshmen to come in and have to play like we did a year ago,” Smiley said last week. “We have enough experience that they can provide depth and we can bring them along.”

Saturday’s game is scheduled to be broadcast on Palestine radio station KYYK (98.3 FM).