The Buccaneers (3-2, 1-2 SWJCFC) have dropped back-to-back conference tilts to top-ranked New Mexico Military Institute and eighth-ranked Navarro but are hopeful this Saturday’s matchup could be the key to getting back on track.
“We can still control what’s going to happen to us at the end of the season,” Blinn head coach Ryan Mahon said. “If we keep winning games, we’re going to be OK. That’s the situation we’re in, so we’re not going to worry about anything else – we’re just going to focus on this game and hopefully come home with a win.”
After narrowly falling to New Mexico, 24-21, on Sept. 24, the Bucs dropped a 39-27 decision to Navarro on Oct. 1.
Trinity Valley (3-1, 2-0) has won three straight games, including conference triumphs over Tyler Junior College and Cisco College.
Blinn will look to pressure the Cardinals with a rushing attack that has amassed 1,328 yards (265.6 per game) and 17 touchdowns already this season.
Sophomore running back JJ Branham (454 yards and five TDs) and freshman Willie Eldridge (369 and four) lead the way for the Bucs.
“After two losses, we’re just trying to get back to the basics of the game,” Eldridge said. “We’re trying to grind things out, fix things up front, fix things defensively, and just expect a better performance out of ourselves.”
Eldridge added that he’s optimistic about the direction his team is headed despite its recent setbacks.
“Every loss has been a learning experience for us,” he said. “We really feel like we’ve beaten ourselves. We just have to come in and fix the things that have held us back, make sure everybody’s assignments are sound and come ready to win this week.”
Though Blinn’s rushing attack has been a reliable weapon, freshman quarterback Brock Bolfing has also been effective in his first five collegiate games. He has passed for 778 yards and seven touchdowns with just two interceptions and has added a pair of scores on the ground. Sophomore receiver Tre Harden has a team-high 246 yards and three touchdowns.
Blinn’s defense will be responsible for slowing down a Cardinal attack that averages 412 yards and 40.5 points per outing.
Freshman quarterback Darion Peace mirrors Bolfing with 735 yards, eight TDs and two picks this season. Freshman running back Quincy Thompson has paced the Cardinals with 383 yards and four TDs.
Defensively, Trinity Valley allows 226 yards per game – including 135 on the ground – and 20.5 points per contest.
The Buccaneers are still among the nation’s best on defense, allowing just 209.6 yards and 15.2 points per game.
“We know we’re a good defense and we know we can get the job done,” said sophomore defensive end Darrius Govan, who has two of the Bucs’ 25 sacks this season. “We watched the film, we saw the mistakes, so now we just need to get those things cleaned up and go win.
“Our coaches have done a great job of bringing us all together and letting us know that this season is not over, and now it’s time for us to prove that to everyone else.”
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
