(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.
