By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
This is what it means to play in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference: a third straight week against a nationally ranked opponent.
No. 3-ranked Trinity Valley Community College (3-0, 2-0) will travel to Brenham Saturday night to take on the No. 14 Blinn Buccaneers (2-0, 2-0).
“I expect it to be another great game,” said TVCC Coach Brad Smiley. “I tell our kids every week, ‘Hey all you freshmen, every week’s a game.'”
Saturday night will match two teams that are leaning on their defenses early in the season.
“Blinn’s defense reminds me a lot of ours,” said Smiley. “A front four that’s getting up the field and being active and being disruptive. All 11 guys flying around to the ball. They are really talented up front.”
The Cardinal defense — called The Dark Side — has been on fire to start the year and hasn’t allowed a point in the second half all season.
“Just playing lights out defense,” said Smiley.
The Cards have also been getting big plays out of their special teams plus great field position.
“When we’re averaging 14 to 15 yards better starting field position offensively than our opponents because of the great work being done by the Dog Team, which is our our kick off unit, and our Quick Six Team, which is our kick off return unit, that’s huge. It’s the hidden yardage in the game.”
The Cardinals know they are going to face a big challenge in Brenham, but they are ready.
“It’s always a challenge playing on the road, but we’re a battle tested team already,” said Smiley. “We’ve had two close games against two quality opponents in the league (who) were highly ranked. We’re battle tested.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday.
We will be live streaming the game on our Facebook page facebook.com/hendersoncountynow beginning at 6:50 p.m.