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August 31, 2007

Cardinals ready for home debut

TVCC takes on mysterious Arkansas Baptist

By Benny Rogers

Two things are truths when it comes to the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals this week:

• They don’t know much about their next opponent;

• They’re ready to play anyway.

TVCC is scheduled to make its home debut Saturday against the Arkansas Baptist College, a school which has announced a desire to join the Southwest Junior College Football Conference. Game time at Bruce Field is 7 p.m.

“We’re going into another game blind,” first-year TVCC head coach Brad Smiley said. “We haven’t been able to find out much about them and know little about what to expect.”

But Smiley said that hasn’t caused preparation problems, as the Cardinals attempt to bounce back from a season-opening 28-19 loss to No. 21 Garden City (Kan.).

“We’ve worked on our base stuff and some different looks they may used against us defensively,” Smiley said. “Our guys have worked hard all week and have been focused. Once the game begins and we get a feel for what they’re trying to do, we’ll be able to adjust.”

“Just like I said last week before the Garden City game, I’m more worried about what Trinity Valley does than an opponent. If we execute and play hard, I’ll be proud no matter what might happen on the scoreboard.

Smiley said the Cardinals had chances against Garden City.

“We had plenty of chances to win,” Smiley said. “We just didn’t make the plays, and they did.

“After watching film, I saw how hard our kids played. I was disappointed with the outcome, not discouraged.”

The TVCC offensive performance against Garden City was highlighted by the play of sophomore running back Lloyd James. He picked up 85 yards on 25 carries and scored a touchdown.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Pat Cook completed 13-of-29 passes for 195 yards. Freshman back-up Bobby Joe Barrett completed just one pass in three attempts — a touchdown to Jahbari McLennan, who caught three passes for 100 yards.

Athens freshman kicker Angel Nava booted two field goals and an extra point in his TVCC debut. Sophomore punter Ryan Butler averaged 41.3 yards on seven punts, including a 54-yarder.

On the defensive side, redshirt freshman linebacker Corey White had seven tackles. Sophomore lineman Dexter Beck had two sacks.

Arkansas Baptist, located in downtown Little Rock, Ark., did not open the season last week. The Buffaloes scrimmaged East Texas Baptist University, coached by former Cardinal head coach Mark Sartain.

“From what we’re told, they have some good-looking kids up front and have a lot of speed,” Smiley said. “We have no idea what kids they will bring, or how many.

“Even though we may not know a lot about them, we’re ready to play,” Smiley said.

NOTES — Arkansas Baptist is scheduled to play all seven SWJCFC teams this season in non-conference games. The presidents are scheduled to vote on the Buffaloes’ petition to join the conference at the end of the season ... Saturday’s game will be broadcast on Palestine radio station KYYK (98.3 FM). Pregame programming starts at 6:45 p.m. ... Freshman defensive end starter Jacob Fincher will miss the game. He was injured against Garden City ... The Cardinals are scheduled to return to the road next week to face Georgia Military in a 2 p.m. kickoff Saturday.

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