By Benny Rogers/TVCC Sports Information
The fourth-ranked Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals have accepted an invitation to play in the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl in Copperas Cove on Saturday, Dec. 3.
The Southwest Junior College Football Conference champion Cardinals will face the No. 5-ranked and defending NJCAA champion Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers. Game time at Bulldawg Stadium is 11 a.m.
“We are looking forward to playing in the Heart of Texas Bowl again,” said TVCC athletic director/head football coach Brad Smiley, who was the SWJCFC Coach of the Year for the third time in four years. “We have had great experiences in Copperas Cove and we are excited to play a highly-ranked and very good Northwest Mississippi team there this year.”
The Cardinals, coming off a thrilling 54-41 overtime victory over Kilgore in the SWJCFC regional title game Saturday at Bruce Field, will carry an 10-1 record into the game and have won eight straight.
The 9-2 Rangers, 12-0 in the 2015 season, dropped a 38-30 decision to East Mississippi in the MACJC title game Saturday. Both Northwest Mississippi losses this season were to East Mississippi.
The Cardinals will be making their 21st bowl appearance and fourth in five years. They are 11-9 in bowl games and have won nine of their last 10.
The Cardinals also appeared in the HOT bowl in 2002, 2013 and 2014 – all wins.