Category: Sports

Handing out award from TVCC’s 47-34 win over Navarro

TVCC Cardinal QB Shelton Eppler pauses for a prayer next to the jerseys of Bryce Cook and Tyler Spillman before Saturday’s game. (Michael V. Hannigan photo)

By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

The Cardinals are just one game away from adding yet more championship hardware to the field house.

Saturday, TVCC dispatched Navarro 47-34 in the SWJCFC semifinal game played at Bruce Field in Athens. NEO beat Blinn, 35-26, in the other semifinal to set up next Saturday’s NEO vs. TVCC Regional Championship game at Bruce Field.

But first, let’s hand out some awards from yesterday’s game.

The Fast Start Award – The Cardinals

TVCC started on fire Saturday in all phases of the game. Tony Mullins had a nice return on the opening kickoff (more about him later), the offense scored on the very first play from scrimmage, and the defense forced the Bulldogs into a 3-and-out on their first possession. You can’t do much better than that.

The Reading Is Fundamental Award – Shelton Eppler

Cardinal fans have gotten used to seeing the offense score often, but there’s still something special about breaking the 40-point barrier. QB Shelton Eppler accounted for five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing), turning the scoreboard into a pinball machine. Multiple times on Saturday the sophomore saw what the Navarro defense was doing and made great decisions. In the video below, watch as Eppler sees the Bulldog linebackers show the blitz and signal out to his left before throwing a TD to Kam Williams.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbFntgxlM0g/

The Spin Cycle Award – Kam Williams

Speaking of Williams, he had three touchdown receptions and on two of them left the defender grasping air with a wicked spin move. If football doesn’t work out for him, Williams might have a career as a politician’s spokesman. … Oh, and happy birthday, Kam.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbF09YUltHp/

The Special Forces Award – Tony Mullins

Big returns by Tony Mullins gave the Cardinals great field position, including the punt return below that set up a field goal. Navarro became so concerned by what Mullins could do that they started kicking out of bounds, often very short. SPECIAL MENTION: J.R. Blades, who downed a Cardinal punt on the Navarro 1 yard line, setting up a safety.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbFlexlFTJh/

The Manumana Sack Attack Award – Marvin Terry

When the fictional Fightin’ Armadillos needed a big defensive play from the defensive line, it was Manumana The Slender who came through. Coming off a six-sack performance last week, Marvin Terry added at least another four this week, including one that looked just like Manumana’s sack in “Necessary Roughness.” He also added a forced fumble and a safety.

And yes, you have to go all the way to Hollywood to find a way to describe just how good Terry has been the past two weeks.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbF3e9PFotM/

The Gabe Kotter Award – Greg Eisworth II

The absence of safety Greg Eisworth II from the line up the past two weeks has been noticeable. His return Saturday was just as noticeable. His signature play was a tipped pass interception that he returned 21 yards for a touchdown and had his teammates singing, “Welcome Back.”

The Game via Twitter

8 awards from TVCC’s conference-clinching win over Cisco, 31-21

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

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.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Baz1DwJlR3H/

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.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba2Xju9l7s3/

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.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BazedeZlKtX/

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.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Baz1s3Ol3kS/

Handing out 8 awards from Malakoff’s win over West

By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

The Malakoff Tigers stayed perfect by beating the West Trojans (6-2) Friday night, 40-27.

The win improves Malakoff’s record to 8-0 overall, 6-0 in District 9-3A and sets up a huge game next Friday for the Tigers, who are on the road at Teague (6-2, 5-1).

But before we move on to Teague, let’s pass out awards from this week’s win over West.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaxsfTUlWvA/

HAT TRICK AWARD – Judd Miller

Malakoff’s quarterback Judd Miller was a touchdown machine when the Tigers got close to the end zone, scoring on runs of 11, 12 and 6 yards. He scored the last three touchdowns for Malakoff.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaxZ99WltS4/

I’M OPEN AWARD – Jake Lee

The Tigers opened up the scoring on their first possession when Jake Lee beat one-on-one coverage and threw up his hand to let Miller know he was open. Lee made a nice catch and did a great job keeping his feet in bounds at the back of the end zone.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BazPVkLlXg1/

BEAST MODE AWARD — Zee Bailey

Zee Bailey wins this award so often I may have to come up with an oak leaf cluster system for him. Friday night, he provided a toughness edge as evidenced by one run where he disappeared under a pile of defenders at the 19 yard line, but the pile kept moving. With some help from his friends Bailey wound up at the 8, gaining 11 yards after being swarmed by defenders. He also scored on a 46-yard run.

DEEP IN THE PLAYBOOK AWARD — Coach Jamie Driskell

Coach Driskell has turned the point after attempt this season into a strategic moment, often going for 2. On one memorable conversion Friday, Miller handed off to Bailey, who took a step to his left then ran right before pitching the ball back to Miller in what turned into an option play. Driskell not only scores more points, he makes sure the opposing coaches have one more thing to defend.

BIG LEG AWARD — Everardo Garcia

Punter Everardo Garcia proved himself a valuable weapon for Malakoff in the second half. On his first punt, he drew a roughing penalty after fielding a high snap. After that he had kicks to the West 1 yard line, 9 yard line, and 24 yard line with no return on any of them. The field position Garcia provided was a big part of the win.

WE WANT TO BE HEARD AWARD — The referees

Whether you thought a particular call was correct or not, there is no debating that the referees were a big part of the game. Both teams had touchdowns called back and were hit with penalties at key moments.

TOUGH ENOUGH AWARD — Malakoff Flag Corps and Dance Team

It was cold Friday night … 40-degree cold. But when the band hit the field at halftime, the Malakoff Flag Corps and Dance Team were there to perform like always in their very pretty, but very thin, costumes. If you don’t think that’s a display of toughness, you weren’t on the sidelines last night trying to stay warm.

DO IT ALL AWARD — Adonia Dixon-Thomas and all the others

Through more than 20 years of covering football in Texas, one of my favorite sights is seeing a student in a different uniform in the band at halftime. In Malakoff, WR Adonia Dixon-Thomas took off his pads after the first half to perform his duties as drum major and lead the Pride of Malakoff Band. There were also cheerleaders marching in the band. Kudos to all of you. … We love football, but many of students involved in making Friday night special never play the game. Thank you to them, as well.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaxfilQlFAX/

PODCAST: Athens gets ready for senior night

Coach Essary says he and his team are looking forward to giving their best this Friday night. The Hornets will be honoring seniors at Bruce Field before the kickoff. Coach Essary says it’s a memory seniors will have the rest of their lives, cheerleaders, band, bell guard, etc…Last Moments are Forever Moments.

10 Awards from Malakoff’s 49-14 homecoming win over Groesbeck

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ7c04uFbWh/

By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

Tim Howard and I live streamed (audio only) Malakoff Homecoming Friday night as the Tigers beat Groesbeck, 49-14, to improve to 5-0 and 2-0 in district play.

We hand out 10 awards from the night.

THE BOW TO ROYALTY AWARD

Congratulations to Homecoming Queen Ari Tart and Homecoming King Adonia Dixon-Thomas. I love the fact that both of them are members of the Pride of Malakoff Band.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ82YarlhKC/

THE COMPLETE BEAST AWARD

During the broadcast, I couldn’t help but say Zee Bailey was going Beast Mode after several of his runs, including a three-yard touchdown blast up the middle. But Bailey isn’t only an offensive weapon, he is also a very physical linebacker who blew up Groesbeck running backs multiple times.

THE MINI BEAST AWARD

Late in the game, wide receiver Ethan Snow took a short kick off and flat ran over a Groesbeck defender on the return. The hit brought a chorus of “oohhhs” from the sidelne.

THE SCOOP AND SCORE AWARD

Linebacker Parker Busch had a big game including an appearance in the end zone after he picked up a Groesbeck fumble and rumbled untouched for a score in the third quarter. He nearly added an interception later in the game.

THE TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME AWARD

R.J. Carr must have covered more than 100 yards with his sideline-to-sideline run on third and long in the third quarter. Statistically, it went down as a 49-yard gain to the Groesbeck 4 and Carr got the chance to finish what he started a couple of plays later with the first of his two touchdown runs.

THE PERFECT PASSES AWARD

Quarterback Judd Miller had two “wow” throws on the night that electrified the crowd. On the Tigers first possession, Ethan Snow got behind the Goat defense and Miller hit him in stride with a 50-plus yard TD strike. Later in the half, Miller was forced out of the pocket and scrambled right. With the defense closing in, he calmly floated a beautiful throw down the right sideline to Jake Lee for a first down.

THE TOWERING TWINS

Big players have to make big plays and Judd Miller and Zee Bailey did just that in the third quarter to put Groesbeck away. After going up 21-0, Bailey recovered a Goat fumble setting Malakoff up on the Groesbeck 30. Miller converted the opportunity on a long scamper up the middle for the TD to go up 28-0 and end any real chance of a Groesbeck comeback.

THE GREAT CALL AWARD

Groesbeck jumped offsides as Malakoff lined up for the extra point after its first touchdown, moving the ball to the one. Coach Jamie Driskell immediately called his kicking team off the field and went with his “jumbo” package for a two-point attempt. Zee Bailey walked into the end zone untouched to make the score 8-0. While the call didn’t mean much this week, it has in the past. Driskell did the same thing against Rusk earlier this season and it turned out to be the deciding factor in a 29-27 victory.

THE BIG TIME BAND AWARD

Not only did the band supply the Homecoming King and Queen, the Pride of Malakoff Band put on a sizzling halftime show that had a sea of cellphones taking video in the stands. Good luck to the band as it heads to competition at the Mesquite Marching Festival and the Sunnyvale Invitational Saturday.

THE GREAT HOMECOMING TRADITIONS AWARD

Malakoff has some awesome homecoming traditions, including alumni awards from the Malakoff Ex-Student Association. Friday there was also an induction into the Malakoff Sports Hall of Fame. But my favorite tradition is when the cheerleader alumni come down and are recognized.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ82tUWF7AF/