(TVCC’s Cam Camper break away against Southern Shreveport last Saturday. — Photo by Travis Tapley via @TVCCsports Twitter.)
This interview was recorded Wednesday, Sept. 22, at the Trinity Valley Community College Field House. The following story was written from the interview. Please listen to Coach Sherard Poteete for a deeper look at the game.
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Trinity Valley Community College invited its closest neighbor to visit for Family Day this Saturday with the Tyler Junior College Apaches coming to town to take on the Cardinals.
The Cardinals are coming off a 60-18 win over Southern Shreveport last Saturday and are 3-0, 1-0 to start the season. TJC beat Rezolution Prep last week, 48-7, and carry a 2-1, 1-0 record into Bruce Field.
Both teams boast explosive offenses with TVCC averaging 52.3 points per game, good enough for third in the nation, and TJC averaging 48.3, which is tied for sixth.
The Apaches have been flying on the arm of freshman quarterback General Booty, who leads the nation in total yards, yards per game, and touchdowns.
"He's throwing it all over the place," said Coach Sherard Poteete. "Basically if we hold him under 400 yards passing and under five touchdown passes then we've held him underneath his average."
The defenses don't stack up as well, with the Cardinals holding a clear advantage on that side of the ball. TVCC's defense is allowing just 11.7 points per game while Tyler is giving up a whopping 37.7 per game.
"Our defense has played really well," Coach Poteete said. "Our staff on that side of the ball is doing a great job each week in getting the kids prepared and then the kids are going out and executing the game plan."
A key this week will be eliminating the Apaches' explosive plays and forcing Tyler to try and put together sustained drives, he said.
When the Cardinals have the ball, Tyler will try and confuse things with multiple fronts and disguising their coverage.
"(They're) giving your offensive line something else, a different look to pass protect against or change up your run blocking rules," Coach Poteete said.
When SWJCFC rivals meet, it can often be the little things that make a difference in the end. Special teams could play a huge part Saturday night.
"There are different areas throughout the game where those big (special teams plays) can pop up," Coach Poteete said. "A punt return, a great punt, coverage, those type things. We've just got to do a good job being sound in our special teams and win the special teams battle and the field position battle."
Don't forget, Saturday is Family Day at TVCC so come out early for free food and games from 2-4:30 p.m. Kickoff for the game against the Apaches is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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TVCC to take on Tyler Saturday for Family Day