By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
The Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals brought home another trophy, earning a regular season title and the first seed in the playoffs with a 31-21 win over Cisco Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals will host the Navarro Bulldogs at Bruce Field Saturday, Nov. 4, in a SWJCFC semifinal match-up.
But first, let’s hand out some awards from this Saturday’s win.
THE TOP TWEET AWARD — @TVCCFOOTBALL
Hard to beat the tweet by @TVCCFOOTBALL Sunday afternoon of the regular season trophy strapped into the car seat for the ride home. That’s five straight conference titles for the Cardinals, something that had never been done before. #17DRIVEfor5
Look who's ridin' shotgun & headed back HOME where it belongs…#17RIVEfor5 #BestChanceU #5PEAT pic.twitter.com/pBZGoNokfV
— TVCC FOOTBALL (@TVCCFOOTBALL) October 29, 2017
THE BOOKENDS AWARD — Prince Robinson
Cardinal CB Prince Robinson started the scoring on the afternoon, returning an interception 35 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter. He also sealed the game for the Cards with an interception late in the fourth quarter. In between he made any receiver in his area wish they had stayed in Cisco. Maybe I should have called this the ROBINSON ISLAND AWARD.
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THE OOHHH AWARD — Luke Termin
Luke Termin hit Cisco’s Henry Allen so hard on a sack in the fourth quarter that the entire crowd groaned in pain for the Wrangler QB. It wasn’t long afterward that Robinson got his second interception.
THE KILLER SHOE GAME AWARD — Dhailon Philips
Dhailon Philips had some very patriotic shoes for Saturday’s game. Probably not a coincidence that I noticed them during the National Anthem.
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THE GOOD EVEN WHEN THEY’RE OFF AWARD — The Offense
On a day when the offense struggled to score in the red zone and turned the ball over four times (twice in the end zone), the Cardinals still put up three touchdowns and a field goal. Quarterback Shelton Eppler had two TD throws to Torin Justice (6 and 14 yards), Aphonso Thomas had a 27-yard touchdown run, and Angel Sevier had a 34-yard field goal.
THE BRICK WALL AWARD — The Defense
The Cardinal defense came up huge Saturday. Two of Cisco’s three touchdowns came on a Pick 6 and after a blocked punt set the Wranglers up in a first-and-goal situation. The Cardinal defense also added a touchdown of its own. Kenneth George Jr. had an interception to go with Robinson’s pair, as well.
THE PRESIDENTIAL HAND SHAKE LINE AWARD — Dr. Jerry King
TVCC President Dr. Jerry King was on the field before the game Saturday for homecoming festivities and low-fived the players as they left the field after warming up. I couldn’t help but wonder how many college presidents were on the field with their team this weekend.
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THE AUTHENTIC REACTION AWARD — Defensive Coordinator Will Reed
There were 5-10 minutes between the end of the Cardinal game and word on the final of the NEO v. Blinn game. NEO had to win for the Cardinals to get the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. When the final score was announced (NEO 35 – Blinn 26), Coach Will Reed pumped his hand into the air in a moment of pure exuberance that let you know just how important winning is at TVCC.
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