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Michael V. Hannigan

They’re thankful, but still hungry.

That has been the tone all week as Athens heads into its third-round playoff game Friday afternoon. The Hornets play Sunnyvale at 1 p.m. in Ennis in the Class 4A Division II regional semifinals. Athens is the visiting team.

Coach Zac Harrell said this round always brings strong opponents.

“There’s no turkeys left after Thanksgiving,” Coach Harrell said. “There’s no bad teams playing during this week.”

Sunnyvale fits that message. The Raiders are 11-1, with their only loss coming against Pleasant Grove, which is ranked No. 2 in the state. Their offense is explosive, averaging 52 points per game.

Coach Harrell said everything starts with Sunnyvale quarterback Cayson Maupin.

“He’s a warrior,” Coach Harrell said. “You can have everybody covered. You can get pressure on him. But he’s going to get out of it and somehow find a way to make a play.”

Coach Harrell said Maupin ran for 270 yards last week and can also beat defenses through the air.

The Raiders are big up front, and feature Grayson Smith at receiver.

Smith also anchors their defense as a linebacker and brings pressure with a physical front. Coach Harrell said Sunnyvale plays mostly man coverage and try to jump routes.

Still, he believes the Hornets match up well if they stay true to their identity.

“If we play our best game, we’re going to have a chance to beat anyone we play,” Coach Harrell said.

Keys to the Game

Word of the Week: Thankful, but still hungry

Coach Harrell said the team spent time sharing things they were thankful for during practice.

“God has blessed us to be a part of this team and this community,” he said. “We’re thankful for what we have, but we’re not satisfied.”

* Prepare the right way. Coach Harrell said the schedule is different this week without school, but the team has stacked two strong practices.

* Get off the field on third and fourth downs. Athens wants to reach 70 percent on stops in those situations.

* Be the tougher team. Coach Harrell said playoff games often come down to physical play.

* Make plays in the passing game. Sunnyvale is expected to load up to stop the run, which means Athens must protect and hit throws.

* Win special teams. The Hornets have improved in this phase since the Center game and want to keep that edge.

Coach Harrell also called on the Athens crowd to help make Friday special. He said the visitors’ side needs to be packed and loud. He praised last week’s crowd against Krum saying, “It was special. It was loud and big.”

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By Michael V. Hannigan

This one has the makings of a shootout.

The Hornets will face undefeated Krum on Friday night in the area round, a matchup between two high-powered offenses. Athens is averaging 53 points per game. Krum is averaging 51.

Krum enters the game at 10-0. One of its early games was canceled, but the Bobcats haven’t missed a beat.

“They’re a really really good football team,” Head Coach Zac Harrell said. “First thing that jumps out at you is their offense. They’ve scored a ton of points.”

Harrell said Krum’s offense is dangerous because it has answers everywhere.

“They don’t have any weak spots,” he said. “They have three really talented receivers. They have a running back that is really good. He’s already over a thousand yards. Their quarterback runs the offense extremely well. And the offensive line is really good.”

Harrell said the Bobcats are just as sound on defense.

“They’re extremely well coached,” he said. “They run their base defense and every position is coached really well on what to do to try to take away what the offense is doing.”

For Athens, that means the margin for error shrinks.

“When you’re playing a team that’s well coached, you got to make sure that you’re executing at a high level,” Harrell said. “Because if we’re not, then they’re going to get us.”

The Hornets are coming off their first playoff win in 10 years, a 57-49 shootout over Gilmer. Harrell said that win was important, but the team has to guard against two dangers this time of year: complacency and looking ahead.

“Once you start looking ahead your focus isn’t on what it has to be,” he said. “Our focus has to be on winning this week.”

Keys to the Game

Word of the Week: Foot on the pedal

“No cruise control,” Harrell said. “We tasted what it could feel like to win a playoff game. Well, let’s go get more. So don’t relax.”

* Fix last week’s mistakes. “Have a heightened focus on areas we must improve on from last week,” Harrell said.

* Get off the field on third and fourth downs. Gilmer ran 92 plays last week. Athens ran 37.

* Play with more physical energy. Match Krum’s effort snap to snap.

* Dominate the line of scrimmage on offense. “When we do that, we are really hard to stop,” Harrell said.

* Win the turnover battle. “Zero turnovers. Cause three,” Harrell said. “In a big game, if you do that, you’re going to be in good shape.”

Coach Harrell praised last week’s crowd.

“The community was a big factor in the game Friday,” Harrell said. “We need you on Friday. We need you to be loud and we need a lot of numbers there.”

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at E.H. Hanby Stadium in Mesquite.

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Michael V. Hannigan

The Cardinals walked into their open week holding the No. 2 seed. They walked out holding a bus ticket to Miami, Okla.

A forfeiture ruling against Navarro College in the final week of the season changed the Southwest Junior College Football Conference standings and moved TVCC into the No. 3 spot. That set up a road semifinal against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Red Robertson Field.

The change sends the Cardinals up against a recent opponent.

TVCC saw NEO two weeks ago at Bruce Field in a 38-31 loss shaped by early mistakes and a slow start. The Cardinals gave up 31 points in the first half before settling in after halftime.

“We’re playing a team we’ve already played with NEO and they’re on a hot streak right now,” Head Coach Sherard Poteete said. “They’ve won, you know, I think three in a row.”

Coach Poteete said the Cardinals used the open week to reset and refocus.

“They’ve been ready to roll since we had our open week,” he said. “We practiced a few days last week, gave them a couple days off. It’s been a long season.”

“When they showed back up here on campus,” Coach Poteete said, “they were locked in and ready to roll.”

The plan is simple heading into Saturday.

“We just have to go play now,” he said.

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By Michael V. Hannigan

The regular season is over. The real season begins Friday.

Athens opens the Class 4A Division II playoffs against Gilmer on Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in Henderson. The Hornets will be the home team and sit on the home side of the field.

Head Coach Zac Harrell knows the challenge ahead.

“You think of Gilmer and you think of all their history and tradition,” Coach Harrell said. “The last 20 or 25 years they’ve been one of the best programs in East Texas. They’ve won at least three state championships, including one two years ago.”

Gilmer enters the playoffs at 4-6, but Harrell said that record is deceiving. The Buckeyes’ losses came against some of the top programs in Texas: Chapel Hill, Kilgore, Lindale, Brenham, Van, and Pleasant Grove. Every one of those teams made the playoffs.

“You turn on the tape, and they’re not devoid of players,” Coach Harrell said. “Their defensive line is the biggest we’ve played against.”

The Buckeyes’ defense features veterans who have started since they were sophomores, including a pair of linemen Coach Harrell described as “huge, quick, and extremely physical.”

On offense, Gilmer runs a spread attack similar to Athens but with a focus on stretching the field vertically.

“Their receivers are super talented,” Coach Harrell said. “Their quarterback throws a great deep ball, and you have to defend it every snap.”

Coach Harrell said the Athens secondary will be tested by the Buckeyes’ downfield passing game, while the defensive front will have to hold its own against a large offensive line that includes a tackle with national recruiting interest.

“We knew two years ago when the UIL came out with the alignment that whoever finishes second in our district is going to play a great football team,” Coach Harrell said. “You’ve got Pleasant Grove, Van, and Gilmer. Every year those three teams are good. It is what it is. We’re not feeling sorry for ourselves. We’ve got to go play and go win.”

That’s playoff football. Every snap matters, and every mistake is magnified.

“In the playoffs, nothing is promised,” Harrell said. “It’s hard to make those plays in the second half, but that’s what it takes. We want to make sure we’re ready to win the game in the second half this year.”

Keys to the Game

Word of the Week: One week season, no regrets.

“We talked Monday about remembering how it felt last year after that loss to Van,” said Coach Harrell. “I told them we have to make sure that everything we do this week leaves us with no regrets.”

* Play Athens Hornet defense. Eleven players flying to the ball with relentless effort every snap.

* Start fast. Build confidence early and try to take momentum away from Gilmer.

* Win the line of scrimmage. Handle Gilmer’s size and physicality up front on both sides of the ball.

* Defend the deep ball. Keep receivers in front, make plays in the air, and prevent explosive passes.

* Finish strong. Stay mentally tough and make plays in the second half when the game is on the line.

(Post sponsored by Tinsley Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy.)

By Michael V. Hannigan

The regular season will close where it began, under the lights at Bruce Field.

Athens (7-2, 3-1) will host Bullard (3-6, 1-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday for Senior Night, celebrating 32 Hornet seniors who have helped turn the program into a district contender.

“This group has meant a lot to this program,” Head Coach Zac Harrell said during this week’s podcast. “They’ve helped transition Athens from being a .500 team to a dang good football team. ”

The Hornets locked up the No. 2 seed in District 9-4A last week with a 44-26 win at Center. Athens started fast and controlled the game early behind a powerful rushing attack.

Harrell said the goal this week is to keep improving as the team prepares for the playoffs.

“The key going into this week is to be playing the best we can be for the playoffs. That’s what we’re focused on right now,” he said. “That’s what we’re focused on right now.”

Bullard will come to Athens fighting for its playoff hopes.

“They’re coming in here, and if they beat us, they’re going to make the playoffs,” Harrell said. “That’s what they’re preaching to their kids. That’s what they’re preparing to do. So we’ve got to make sure we’re playing our best game.”

Harrell said the Panthers are one of the more unpredictable teams Athens has faced this year.

“They run every formation known to man,” he said. “They’ve done it all. We’ve got to be prepared and be able to line up to all the formations they’re going to throw at you.”

Defensively, Bullard will bring the same variety.

“They’ve lined up in every front. They’ve played every coverage that you could play,” Harrell said. “If I had to pick what they did the most, I’d say it’s a 4-2-5 look, but again, they’ve done everything.”

That kind of flexibility means Athens must stay ready to adapt.

“We’ve got to be ready for anything they’ll throw at us and then be ready, you know, that we have answers in our offense for anything you might throw at us,” Harrell said. “We’ve got to keep it simple, and whatever we have to do to adapt, that’s what we have to do.”

Word of the Week: Playoff Mode

Harrell said the Hornets are approaching this week like the postseason has already started.

“Right now we are treating this week like playoffs, and we are treating this game like a playoff game,” he said. “Because again, the key is to improve.”

Keys to Victory:

* Practice with purpose all week.

* Win starting field position off the kicking units.

* Be a great teammate in everything we do.

* Play the game the right way and keep our composure.

* Have fun and enjoy the process.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bruce Field. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for the Senior Night ceremony beginning at 7.

(Post sponsored by Tinsley Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy.)

By Michael V. Hannigan

Playoff football is back at The Valley.

After clinching a postseason spot with last week’s 56-8 road win over New Mexico Military Institute, the No. 7-ranked Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals will close out the regular season Saturday at 1 p.m. against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M at Bruce Field.

TVCC piled up nearly 600 yards of total offense in Roswell, New Mexico, last Saturday. The Cardinals scored 28 unanswered points to build a 28-3 at the half and never looked back.

Linebacker Lazavier Amos continued his steady play in the middle with another dozen tackles, while defensive back Malik Ganaway added 13 stops and a tackle for loss. Jayden Lewis intercepted a pass, and Calvin Kalu-Alexander forced a fumble.

Head Coach Sherard Poteete said he was proud of how his team handled the long trip and stayed focused.

“They did a good job,” Coach Poteete said. “All phases of the game. We took care of the ball on offense and were still able to get a takeaway.”

The win locked the Cardinals into the Southwest Junior College Football Conference playoffs, but there’s still plenty at stake this weekend. NEO enters the game with the inside track for the league’s final playoff spot.

“NEO controls their own destiny,” Coach Poteete said. “They have a lot to play for, and I know Coach Crissup and his staff will have them ready.”

The Golden Norsemen are known for a unique defensive style that differs from most SWJCFC teams. Coach Poteete said it requires some extra preparation.

“They play really good defense like they always do,” he said. “They’re big, they’re physical, and they’re a heavy man-coverage team. You can’t just run your normal offense and expect success.”

Offensively, Coach Poteete said NEO has improved compared to recent years, adding more playmakers at wide receiver and a solid quarterback to balance their traditional power running attack. Their methodical style is designed to control time of possession and limit opposing offenses.

“They’ll get up to the line, look to the sideline, milk the clock and shorten the game,” Coach Poteete said. “If they can limit the opponent’s possessions, that bodes well for them.”

Saturday’s match-up will also carry extra meaning for TVCC fans. The school will recognize members of the 1994 National Championship team, which won the title 31 years ago — against NEO. With NEO moving to the Kansas Jayhawk Conference next year, this could be the last meeting between the programs for a while.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Bruce Field in Athens.

(Post sponsored by Tinsley Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy.)

On this week’s Hornet podcast, Coach Zac Harrell said the Hornets have shown resilience this season by staying focused and improving each week, no matter the circumstances.

Staying Focused

Last week’s 60-6 win over Rusk came a day early because of weather concerns, but the Hornets didn’t let that rattle them. Coach Harrell said the way Athens handled the change reflected the team’s maturity.

“It speaks to this team,” he said. “To not have a letdown after the Carthage game and to go into a game where you’re the more talented team, it would have been easy to not prepare. But our kids didn’t do that.”

He said the Hornets have learned from earlier mistakes, pointing to the Week 2 loss at Kaufman as a turning point. “That loss helped us,” Harrell said. “It showed we can’t have a letdown from week to week. Our energy and focus have to stay high, and our guys really understand that now.”

In the Trenches

Coach Harrell credited the offensive line for helping drive the team’s success. He said the group has been better than expected, both in execution and toughness.

“They’ve exceeded expectations,” he said. “They don’t get talked about much, but without them our offense isn’t where it’s at.”

The line includes senior leaders like right tackle Gus Wickle, right guard Brandon Casas, and left tackle Jose Pimentel, along with junior center Peyton Mayans and a rotation of seniors Jose Rine, Aiden Robinson, and Jamar Zakall at left guard. Harrell said their effort and experience have allowed the Hornets to control games up front.

“They’ve been rock solid,” he said. “They show up every day, they take coaching, and they take pride in what they do.”

(Full story on the Hornet offensive line coming soon.)

Scouting Center

The Hornets (6-2, 2-1 in district) travel to Center on Friday night for a match-up that could decide second place in the district standings.

“Center’s a really good football team,” Harrell said. “They’re 2-1 in district like us. They beat Bullard and Brownsboro and lost to Carthage, so this game is big for playoff seeding.”

Harrell said Center runs the ball about 80 percent of the time and features two explosive backs capable of breaking big plays. “They can hurt you any time they touch the ball,” he said.

Defensively, Center has been unpredictable. “They’ve mixed things up,” Harrell said. “Early in the season they had everybody standing up and moving around before the snap, then went to a four-man front. We just have to focus on what we do well and execute.”

Keys to Victory

Word of the Week: Athens Tough -- Coach Harrell said toughness has been a defining trait of this year’s team and will be the key to finishing the season strong.

“To be good at this sport, and really to be good at life, you have to be tough mentally and physically,” he said. “Late in the year, when you’re banged up and tired, that’s when it matters most.”

* Be tough all week, mentally and physically.

* Stop the run and limit big plays.

* Be prepared offensively and execute regardless of defensive looks.

* Be the most physical team on the field.

* Keep dominating the turnover battle. Athens is plus-eight for the season and has not turned the ball over in district play.

This Week

* Friday, Oct. 31 – Athens at Center, 7:30 p.m.

In this week’s Cardinal Podcast, Michael Hannigan sat down with Head Coach Sherard Poteete to talk about last week’s 30-14 win over Kilgore and this Saturday’s road game at New Mexico Military Institute. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. Central (2 p.m. Mountain).

Finding Ways to Win

The Cardinals made it four straight victories last week, overcoming a long weather delay and a short-handed roster to take down Kilgore on the road. “Our guys have just found a way to win, taking it one day at a time, one game at a time,” Coach Poteete said. “You can’t win six games on Saturday. You can only win one. And so, they’ve done a great job the last four weeks of doing it one day at a time, one game at a time, one practice at a time.”

Coach Poteete said that mindset helped the team handle a difficult day at Kilgore. “We didn’t play with our two probably most productive guys, stat-wise, at defensive line,” Coach Poteete said. “But we gave up 41 yards passing. So, somebody stepped up into that role.”

The Cardinals weathered a 63-minute lightning delay and returned to finish strong. “You get to the two-minute warning there in the second quarter and we have an hour and five minutes, hour and three-minute rain, lightning delay,” Coach Poteete said. “All that’s new and different and just changes the way you interact when you get into a rhythm or into a routine during a game. And then we played the second half, and man, when that sun popped out, it was hot and steamy.”

Staying Focused on the Road

The Cardinals face their longest road trip of the season this week, traveling roughly nine hours to Roswell, New Mexico. “Can our guys be locked in once we get done with Thursday’s practice to hop on a bus and handle the bus ride and then staying all night and then getting up and handling game day there?” Coach Poteete said.

Coach Poteete said the challenge will be maintaining focus through the long travel schedule. “We’ve had a few good days of practice this week,” Coach Poteete said. “Can we finish up the week focused? That’s the main thing—can we just be locked in, focused on what is in front of us?”

Scouting NMMI

The Broncos bring an old-school approach on offense that stands out in today’s game. “They can milk the clock and they can run the football,” Coach Poteete said. “If they can control the ball offensively, it puts a little pressure on the opposing team’s offense. The most snaps they’ve given up this year to the opposing team is 59 plays.”

“They’re going to line up underneath the center,” Coach Poteete said. “Holy cow, right? No shotgun. They’re going to actually have a fullback, a tight end, a guy in the I. They’re going to do all kinds of stuff that you don’t see anymore.”

Coach Poteete said their offense has been effective with that approach. “They put up 45 points last week running the football, multiple formations, they hit a few big screens,” Coach Poteete said. “They’ve proven and shown that they can put points on the board.”

Defensive Confidence

The Cardinals’ defense continues to be one of the best in the conference, allowing 20 points or fewer in every game this season. “If we can continue to do that, then obviously that bodes well for us,” Coach Poteete said. “If we can just keep on holding teams down, then it makes it easier on the offense to go put some points on the board.”

Facing a Multiple Defense

On the other side of the ball, the Cardinals expect to see a variety of looks from NMMI’s defense. “They’re going to give us a multiple look,” Coach Poteete said. “They primarily play with a two-man shell, but their fronts—they’re going to overload some sides. They’re going to base out of a 3-4 look, but they’re going to make that 3-4 look a lot different ways by walking up linebackers, shifting them over, walking backers up, walking backers down.”

The key will be communication up front. “Can we be on our P’s and Q’s?” Coach Poteete said. “Can we know who’s coming and then kind of sort that out once the ball’s snapped?”

This Week

* Saturday, Oct. 25 – TVCC at New Mexico Military Institute, 3 p.m. Central / 2 p.m. Mountain

* You can watch the game here. 

UPDATEDue to the threat of severe weather Friday night, all Athens Hornet football games have been moved up one day for safety.

🏈 Varsity: Now Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at Bruce Field

🏈 Freshmen & JV: Wednesday in Rusk — Freshmen at 5 p.m., JV at 6:30 p.m.

🏈 Middle School: Wednesday at Bruce Field, starting 4:30 p.m.

Game Day came early — but Hornet Nation always shows up!

Be there. Be loud. Go Hornets!

=====

(Post sponsored by Tinsley Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy.)

Talking on this week’s Hornet podcast, Coach Zac Harrell said the Hornets are proud of how they battled against No. 1 Carthage, but the focus now is fixing mistakes and staying hungry for more.

No Moral Victories, Just Progress

The Hornets fell just short last Friday in a top-10 matchup at Carthage, but Coach Harrell said Athens proved it belongs among East Texas’ elite.

“We were proud of our kids for going in there and doing what they did, but we weren’t happy that we didn’t win the game because we had a chance to win the game,” said Coach Harrell.

“I think a lot of people were surprised, but I’ll tell you who wasn’t surprised — everybody in this building. We knew if we played well, we were going to have a chance to win the game. And that’s exactly what happened.”

Coach Harrell said the Hornets stood their ground against a team known for both talent and swagger.

“They try to intimidate you. They’ve got all those state championships listed on the field and on the scoreboard, and they play pretty mouthy and celebrate and dance,” he said. “Our kids didn’t care about any of that. I was really proud of the way we fought, but also proud that our kids played with a lot of class.”

He said the game was another marker of how far Athens football has come since his arrival seven years ago.

“When we came here, our goal was to put Athens football right up there with the best programs in East Texas, with the Carthages, with the Gilmers,” Coach Harrell said. “It’s taken a little longer than we wanted to, but we think we’re close. That’s due to the kids who have bought in and the coaches who’ve stayed consistent through the dark days.”

Depth and Discipline

Athens continued to spread the ball around offensively, with five players catching touchdown passes and nine different Hornets touching the ball.

“We told them going into the week we’d have opportunities to make plays down the field,” Harrell said. “Their scheme tries not to let you get behind them, but our guys made plays, one-on-one catches, and a lot of different guys contributed.”

He said that balance comes from players embracing their roles.

“You may be thrown 15 balls, you may be thrown three, but when you get those opportunities, you have to make the most of them,” he said. “You can’t get caught up in how many times you get the ball. What matters is that we’re putting the ball in the end zone consistently.”

Coach Harrell said that same unselfish attitude shows in their composure.

“When you get personal fouls or start responding, you’re making it about yourself,” he said. “Our guys didn’t do that. They make it about the team.”

“This doesn’t just happen because we decided in August we were going to start working hard,” Coach Harrell said. “You’ve given yourself this opportunity because of what you’ve done for six years; in the summers, in the spring, showing up every day even when you don’t feel 100 percent.”

Scouting Rusk

The Hornets (5-2, 1-1 in district) return home Friday night to face Rusk (1-6, 1-1), a young team with a new coaching staff and a mix of offensive looks.

“They’ve played four different kids at quarterback,” Coach Harrell said. “Last week against Brownsboro they went under center, and I expect them to stay with that offense and try to control the ball and shorten the game.”

Defensively, Coach Harrell said the Eagles base out of a four-man front and have been experimenting in coverage.

“They played more of a Tampa 2 look against Brownsboro with super-high safeties and the middle linebacker getting good depth over the middle,” he said. “They’re playing hard. Their head coach is a defensive guy, and their defensive line plays with a lot of energy.”

Rusk’s roster includes 14 freshmen and sophomores, but Harrell said Athens can’t take anything for granted.

“They had a chance to beat Kaufman in the fourth quarter,” he said. “Kaufman beat us. Anybody can beat anybody. It’s about us playing our best game.”

Keys to Victory

Word of the Week: Hungry -- Coach Harrell said the Hornets must keep the same fire they showed last week and continue improving every day.

“We have to remain hungry,” he said. “When you’re starving, you’ll do anything to get food. People work harder when they’re hungry. We have to remain hungry and can’t drop our level of play.”

* Work harder, play harder, focus better — “Do it all week, not just on Friday night.”

* Dominate all three phases — “We haven’t put it all together yet.”

* Stop the run — Force Rusk to throw and get them behind the sticks.

* Zero mental penalties — “We had seven on defense last week, and six were mental. We can’t waste opportunities.”

* Elite effort from receivers on run plays — “They’re playing hard, but we want to be dominant and physical.”

(Post sponsored by Tinsley Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy.)

In this week’s Cardinal Podcast, Michael Hannigan sat down with Head Coach Sherard Poteete to talk about last week’s homecoming win over Navarro and Saturday’s road trip to Kilgore. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Homecoming Win

The Cardinals improved to 3-1 in conference play with a 14-7 win over Navarro in front of a packed homecoming crowd at Bruce Field.

“What a great game-day atmosphere last Saturday was,” Coach Poteete said. “There was a lot of red around, you know, and the old Trinity Valley homecoming Cards all over the place, cheerleaders everywhere, some former football players, Hall of Fame induction… it was awesome to see our Athens community and surrounding areas.”

He said the win showed his team’s toughness. “The guys just really found a way to keep playing each play, each series,” Coach Poteete said. “It was a great defensive game, with the offense making some big plays when they needed to… flipping the field on punt and special teams when we needed to do some of that.”

Offensive Balance

Coach Poteete said having reliable tight ends has made the Cardinals more versatile. “If you can find good tight ends, I think it just makes you so much more versatile,” he said. “We might be in 12 personnel, two-tight-end set… and the next play they could be split out wide. So them being able to be versatile kind of helps our offense be versatile as well.”

Quarterback Kaden Brown continues to lead the offense by distributing the ball and protecting possession. “We won the turnover battle. We didn’t turn it over—no picks, no fumbles,” Coach Poteete said.

Defensive Strength

Through six games, the Cardinals are giving up only 13.5 points per game. “Defense is just getting after it,” Coach Poteete said. “This was our least amount of sacks we’ve had in a game this season—we had three this week.”

He said the front seven continues to set the tone. “Those defensive linemen have just been getting after it,” he said. “When your front seven’s getting after the quarterback, it makes it easier on those defensive backs in the back end.”

Looking at Kilgore

“Kilgore’s tough,” Coach Poteete said. “Coach Gooden does a great job with those guys over there. We’re trading one Highway 31 opponent for another Highway 31 opponent. These games are always tough. They’re good football games.”

The Bulldogs are 0-3 in conference play but coming off an open week, and Coach Poteete said he expects them to be ready. “We’ll get Kilgore’s best,” he said. “They’re coming off of their last game being a win and then obviously they’re coming off of an open week, so Coach Gooden and his staff will have his team ready to play.”

This Week

* Saturday, Oct. 18 – TVCC at Kilgore College, 1 p.m.

* Tickets are available here.