(Originally posted on the HCN Football Blog)
By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
I had the chance to chat with Trinity Valley Community College head football coach Brad Smiley last week before the Cardinals wrapped up their spring practice schedule Saturday morning.
“Spring’s been great,” Smiley said, and then added the phrase that every coach wants to hear at this stage. “We’ve stayed pretty healthy for the most part.”
Smiley pointed out that the early part of spring practice is about integrating new players with returning sophomores.
“Those (new) guys have to learn how we want them to work and how we want things done,” he said.
“In all phases — kicking game, offense, defense — we throw everything in the first four or five days and try and get everything installed,” he said, “So the first couple of weeks it takes some sorting out.”
Smiley did seem happy about where his team stands at the moment.
“At this point, they’re clicking pretty good on all sides and in all phases. There’s been a lot of really good energy,” he said.
“The kids have done a great job, I’m really proud of them. The coaches have done an outstanding job preparing this team so far,” Smiley said.
The new Cardinals will have a lot to live up to when they get back to work. TVCC finished No. 2 in the nation last season with a 12-0 record and Conference, Regional and Bowl championships.
“To have those continued great results, to prepare to win our 22nd in a row on August 22, we’ve got to have the right pieces of the puzzle,” Smiley said.
The Cardinals will start the season with the Battle in the Valley on Aug. 22 when they host Nassau Community College, which finished last season 10-0 and ranked No. 6 in the nation. See complete schedule here.
The night before the game, Jeff Weinstein and Henderson County Now will be hosting the Beef Before the Battle banquet for both teams.
(Photo via Trinity Valley Community College Facebook page.)