The Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals will open their season against Snow (Utah) College at 7 p.m. Thursday in Malakoff.
Snow starts the season ranked No. 4, while the Cardinals are ranked No. 15 in the nation.
This isn't your average opener. Classes started this week at TVCC, and the Cardinals are playing in a different stadium because Bruce Field was already booked. It's been a disrupted week.
"The guys have been really good at being flexible," said Coach Sherard Poteete.
Coach Poteete didn't find an easy opponent to start the season. Thursday will be a tough matchup for the Cards.
"I'd rather play a good team any day than play a team that you roll out the ball, and it's going to be a 70-point victory," he said. "Snow is a very good opponent."
The Cardinals will be led by QB Darion Peace, an SWJCFC All-Conference selection last season. Peace also knows Thursday night's field because he graduated from Malakoff High School.
The Cardinals also bring back experienced players on the front seven defensively.
Ultimately, Thursday night will come down to who can execute best this early in the season.
"It's so hard the first game," said Coach Poteete. "There's nothing like Game Day."
Listen to the interview to hear Coach Poteete talk about the possible impact of the weather, the Cardinals running back depth, their experience at linebacker, and changes in the kicking game.
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