Sports
Related Photos
-
Charles Stiff photo
Tools
TVCC AT DODGE CITY CC: Cards open in Kansas
Smiley says he won’t let his team overlook Conquistadors
Trinity Valley Community College Head Coach Brad Smiley knows there can be lots of distractions on a long road trip such as the one his team faces this weekend.
But when you remove all the muckety-muck, there’s really only one thing that will matter when the Cardinals line up against the Dodge City Conquistadors Saturday in Kansas.
“This is a business trip,” Smiley said Thursday. “Our No. 1 goal is to win a conference championship, and all this game is is an opportunity for us to know what kind of team we really have, what kind of team we’re made of.”
Last year, the Cards (6-4 in 2008) put a 48-0 whipping on the Conquistadors at Bruce Field. It was a bad start for a Dodge City team that finished with a 2-7 record.
Smiley points out, however, that so much changes from year to year in the junior college football world that it would be foolish to take any opponent for granted.
So if they don’t know much about what kind of Dodge City team will take the field in the opener, Smiley says the Cardinals should only focus on the kind of team they will put on the field.
“You put on the film and we know they are not where they were at the beginning of last year,” Smiley said. “I told (Dodge City Head) Coach (Bob) Majeski, ‘Buddy, I know where you’re coming from.’”
The previous season, it was Smiley who was the new head coach, and his team finished with a 2-7 mark. But the Cardinals pulled out of that funk with the help of a strong recruiting class that included running back Chad Winbush — a preseason All-American pick this year who ran for 829 yards and seven touchdowns — and the receiving duo of Chris Young and Darnell Williams, who were among the conference’s top 10 leading pass catchers.
Mention those names to Smiley, and he’ll quickly point out how excited he will be to see their obvious talents hit the field. But he’s just as quick to point out that he’ll have 60 to 61 players hit the field Saturday who he is equally anxious to see.
“There are a lot of kids I’m really excited about seeing,” Smiley said. “Nobody is a bigger fans of these young men than the guys on our coaching staff.”
- Sports
-
-
NJCAA WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: Lovato honored during opening ceremonies
TVCC Interim Head Coach Elena Lovato was just presented with the Region XIV Conference Coach of the Year plaque during opening ceremonies of the NJCAA Women's National Basketball Tournament.
-
Former TVCC head women's coach Landers named national JUCO coach of year
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has named Michael Landers of Baton Rouge Community College as the 2010 RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Junior College/Community College (JC/CC) Coach of the Year.
-
NJCAA WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: Lady Cards get final dress rehearsal
The Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinals are serious about this national tournament business.
-
AHS shifts focus to playoffs
The Athens Hornets and Lady Hornets soccer teams swept Mabank in District 31-4A action Friday night. It was the regular season finale for both Athens teams, which are now headed for the playoffs.
-
TVCC needs to put all distractions aside
SALINA, Kan. — If you’ve read the paper lately, you know a couple of things about Trinity Valley Community College.
-
Missed FTs didn’t slow ‘T-Lee’ down
SALINA, Kan. — Tawanna Lee was in a pressure cooker.
There she stood, in front of about 250 fans — mostly from Trinity Valley — toeing up to the free throw line and trying to spoil the trip of the upset-minded Kilgore Lady Rangers at Cardinal Gym on Jan. 9. -
NJCAA WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BLOG: On the road
SOMEWHERE IN KANSAS -- Our crew of three -- former Athens Review sports editor Benny Rogers (now with TVCC), photographer Charles Stiff and myself -- are on Interstate 135 heading north toward Salina. That's where the TVCC Lady Cardinals will open their bid for the school's sixth national championship tomorrow at 8:15 p.m. against Walters State in the first round of the NJCAA Women's National Basketball Tournament.
-
2010 HORNET VARSITY BASEBALL TOURNAMENT: Our field, our title
The Athens Hornets got their fourth consecutive win Saturday and a little hardware, too.
-
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: Mash unit
Before the season, Athens Head Coach Tony Sikes knew he had a team with a little more power than last season.
But this, well, he couldn’t have seen this coming. -
NJCAA WOMEN'S NATIONAL TOURNAMENT: Future in hand
Here’s a brief look at each of the 16 teams that will be vying for the NJCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship beginning next Tuesday at the Bicentennial Center in Salina, Kan. Teams are listed with their tournament seeding. Information is courtesy of NJCAA.org:
- More Sports Headlines
-
