College Sports

By PHIL HICKS
Sports Editor

LINDALE — Tyler Junior College ended last football season on a three-game winning streak, including rallying from a 24-0 deficit in the final game.

TJC second-year coach Danny Palmer hopes the momentum of 2007 carries over to this season.

Palmer, along with the remainder of the Southwest Junior College Football Conference coaches, spoke of their team’s prospects during Thursday’s SWJCFC Media Day at Garden Valley Golf Resort.

The Apaches (5-4 in 2007) are picked fifth in the Coaches Poll, a couple notches ahead of last year’s predicted finish of last.

Still, Palmer is optimistic of an even higher placement.

“If our quarterback (returner Steven Schwark) stays healthy and plays well, we will be a very good football team,” Palmer said. “If he plays average, we will be average.”

Kilgore College, which won the regular season conference title last year but finished second to Navarro College in the championship final, is selected to win the league, while Blinn is second, followed by Navarro.

Rounding out the predicted order of finish are Cisco Junior College, Tyler, Trinity Valley Community College, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and newcomer Arkansas Baptist College.

Blinn, coached by Brad Franchione, is ranked No. 2 in the NJCAA Preseason Poll, while Navarro is No. 6. Kilgore is No. 14.

As far as Kilgore, led by second-year coach J.J. Eckert, the Rangers return some firepower with 11 returning starters including tailback Cornelius Shackelford, a former John Tyler High School player, who rushed for 1,239 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

But the biggest question mark is quarterback as four players (Shane Fry of Hallsville, Jeremiah McGinty of Galena Park North Shore, Lane Johnson of Groveton and Jared Thomas of Tenaha) will compete to replace all-conference selection Logan Morris.

The line is paced by Troup product Delvin Herndon, who started 12 games last year, while linebacker Cory Whitfield of Palestine leads the defensive unit.

Blinn also appears loaded with nine returning starters, including quarterback Terrance Cain and wide receiver Justin Jordan, who Franchione said has an offer from Oklahoma.

He added former John Tyler standout Marquis Franklin (6-6, 310), who will lead the way up front, is a Division I recruit.

Trinity Valley hopes to improve on last year’s 2-7 finish and second-year coach Brad Smiley feels the team is headed in the right direction.

“Last year we started with nothing. We had little to no experience on the team,” Smiley said. “We had a new coaching staff and few returning players.”

This year, the coaching staff is intact and the Cardinals have 17 returning starters.

QB Patrick Cook is back as well as tight end Tarcellus Mitchell of Alto. On the offensive line, Jason Bruner, a Grand Saline graduate, and Arp’s Zac Spears are keys.

Smiley also said Ernest Hunter, a former JT player, will be crucial at linebacker as well Tim Hayter, an ex-Lee player, on special teams and at defensive back.

As far as TJC, Palmer expects good things.

“The Apaches appear to be much better and stronger in 2008, due to a very good signing day,” Palmer said.

TJC is huge across the offensive line with the likes of Jessie Green, Fonda White, Keenan Woods, Ryan Taylor, Phillip Blake and Chris Brunson.

“They all have NCAA Division I ability and they are 300-plus pounds, and nasty as a rattlesnake,” Palmer said.

Palmer added former Lee player John Flanagan, a deep-snapper, is a D-I prospect.

Also, he moved ex-JTer Jonathan Hatton (five sacks last year) inside.

“We may not be the biggest defense, but we will be quicker than any junior college team around,” Palmer said.

One area of concern was last year’s defense that allowed teams to consistently convert on third down.

Palmer said the Apaches will try to improve on those statistics this year.

“I think we will be better,” he said. “We will be stronger and after being out of the playoffs three straight years, our goals have changed. We want to be in the playoffs.”

TJC opens the season Aug. 30 against Independence (Kan.) at Lindale High School’s Eagle Stadium.

Notes:

Dennis Franchione, former Texas A&M football coach and father of Blinn coach Brad, has signed a contract to be a radio color commentator for ESPN Radio, Brad said Thursday. … Former Robert E. Lee quarterback Marcus Jackson has been moved to wide receiver for Navarro, while Justin Sturns of Rusk hopes to replace graduate Tyrone Ross, another former REL product, at running back.

TJC football coach Danny Palmer addresses members of the media during the Southwest Junior College Football Conferece Media Day at Garden Valley Golf Resort on Thursday in Lindale.
((Staff Photo By Phil Hicks))