By Benny Rogers Sports Editor

A few random notes, thoughts and observations before the weekend begins ...

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Spring hasn’t sprung quite yet, but spring sports are upon us.

If you love softball, Athens is the place to be Saturday. The Athens Lady Hornets have three scrimmages at Peg Cain Field, starting at 2 p.m. In the meantime, the Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinals are scheduled to make their Cain Park debut at noon in a doubleheader against North Central Texas College.

Later in the day the TVCC men’s basketball team has a huge Region XIV Conference game at Cardinal Gym against Tyler Junior College. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.

Throw in the fact that basketball playoffs are near, baseball teams have begun workouts, soccer season is in full swing, powerlifting is well under way, swimming is winding down and track and golf teams are about to start their seasons and ... well, you get the picture.

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It looked like a “smilefest” Wednesday morning at the TVCC Field House as the letters of intent rolled it. Cardinal football coaches feel they have put together an outstanding recruiting class.

Of course the proof will be the product on the field in the fall, but it’s easy to understand the coaches’ enthusiasm about the class. When you look at the 41-player recruiting class and consider the high schools represented and the interest shown in most of the players by NCAA Division I schools, it’s easy to be impressed and understand the coaches’ optimistic outlook.

The Cardinals were 6-4 and a playoff team this past season in Brad Smiley’s second season at the helm. The early guess here is the 2009 season will be even better.

It’s obvious TVCC coaches put in a lot of time and effort in assembling a deep and talented recruiting class. They are to be commended for a job well done.

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Three Henderson County area high school football players signed letters of intent Wednesday morning.

Record-setting Mabank quarterback Kolton Browning signed with the University of Louisiana-Monroe, as did Brownsboro defensive back/wide receier Tristain Warren.

Brownsboro wide receiver Keith Johnson signed with Tyler Junior College.

Congratulations to all three and best of luck on the next level.

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Cisco Junior College has a new athletic director/head football coach.

Scott Taylor, an assistant coach at CJC since 2004, has taken over for John Parchman, who will be retiring at the end of the month. Taylor served as Parchman’s offensive coordinator.

Taylor previously coached at Ranger Junior College and Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

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The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches rankings include a pair of Henderson County area teams this week. Brownsboro (25-6) is No. 13 in Class 3A and LaPoynor (18-7) is No. 17 in Class A, Division I.

In the Class 3A boys rankings, Pleasant Grove (23-6) is No. 18. The Hawks are coached by former Cross Roads coach and Clay Busby, also a Cross Roads graduate.

The high school girls regular season ends next week. The playoffs start the week of Feb. 16.

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It was good to see former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Bob Hayes elected to the NFL Hall of Fame last weekend. I’m not sure why it took so long, but at least a wrong has been righted.

“Bullet Bob” changed the game when he played for the Cowboys in the late 1960s and early 70s. His speed made man-to-man coverage ineffective and ushered in zone defense.

Some of my most vivid memories when the Cowboys really were “America’s Team” are of Hayes streaking down the field — well behind a defender — to catch a pass for a touchdown.

Sadly, he died a few years ago and won’t be around for the induction ceremony in August. But it’s nice he will finally take his place among the greats of the game.

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And finally ... the weather is supposed to be spectacular, so have an awesome weekend.

Benny Rogers is sports editor for the Athens Daily Review.