(Pictured: Blinn College head football coach Ryan Mahon)
The Blinn College football team opens its 2022 campaign Saturday with loads of talent and an experienced head coach ready to piece it all together for a big season.
“We’re as talented a bunch as we’ve ever been,” sixth-year head coach Ryan Mahon said. “Talent and productivity are two different things, so we’ve got to continue to work on our chemistry and how all of our components are going to fit together, but I think we’re a tight-knit bunch.”
Mahon’s squad will get its first glimpse of what 2022 could have in store when the Buccaneers host Louisiana Christian Academy for their season opener at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, at Cub Stadium in Brenham, Texas.
Among the fresh faces will be freshman quarterback Brock Bolfing (Montgomery, Texas), who earned the nod from Mahon to start week one following a grueling position battle in preseason camp.
(Pictured: Brock Bolfing)
“It’s been about competing every day, doing things correctly, and doing the extra things that demonstrate an understanding of this offense and the team around you,” Bolfing said. “There’s a lot of competition here, so you have to bring it every day and every week. Everyone is raising their game and there is a lot of drive to be number one. That’s making everyone better and making everyone work harder to push this team in the direction we want it to go.”
Bolfing will be surrounded by returning talent on the offensive line, at the wide receiver position, and in the backfield.
Sophomore Deonte Bowie returns to help anchor the Bucs’ offensive front, where he’ll be joined by redshirt freshman Billy Thursland, as well as freshman Giovanny Alegri and Tarleton State University transfer Dalton Merryman. Mahon said spots on the line are still up for grabs and his team’s first two weeks of play will help fill some of those jobs.
At receiver, sophomores Tre Harden, Canen Adrian, and hometown product Cameron Richardson (Brenham) return, with transfers Ma’jon Wright (University of Arizona), Jashawn Sheffield (Auburn), and Caleb Chappelle (Rice) expected to factor into the passing attack along with freshman Troy Oliver.
Running backs Willie Eldridge (University of Texas-El Paso transfer) and JJ Branham (Eastern Michigan transfer) will anchor the running game, and Mahon said sophomore Jalen Spicer and freshman Marvin Beasley should find a role in his offense as well.
On defense, Mahon touted a unit he called “as fast a unit we’ve ever had.”
“We cover up a lot of errors just because of our speed and athleticism,” Mahon said. “Defensive gaps and holes get plugged up quickly because of the way we just fly to the football. Our secondary is as talented as it was last year, and our defensive front and linebackers bring a lot to the table.”
On the defensive line, sophomores and twin brothers Jordan and Marcus Daniels provide experience at the defensive end position, while Quardale Patt is expected to find playing time at the end position after transferring in from the University of Houston. Redshirt freshman Chakka “CJ” Garnett (Missouri State transfer) and sophomore Nate Dyman are tested at the linebacker position, while cornerbacks Erick Young (sophomore), Ben Osueke (sophomore), and Courage Ugochukwu (freshman) alongside safeties Trystin Brown (sophomore) and TJ Banks (freshman) will open the season in the defensive backfield.
(Pictured: Chakka Garnett)
“We attack and get after the ball with a lot of speed and intensity,” Garnett said. “We have a lot of new, young guys who are working into the rotation and doing a great job fulfilling their assignments.
“There is a lot of energy in this unit with guys coming back from last year, young players who are hungry to contribute right from the start, and some older guys like me who are coming in from Division I schools who want to prove themselves here and make an impact.”
Blinn will play its first three games of the season at home, ending the stretch with its Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) opener against Cisco College on Sept. 10.
Doing battle in the SWJCFC, the Buccaneers are again among some of the NJCAA’s best programs, with 2021 NJCAA Division I national champion New Mexico Military Institute topping the NJCAA’s preseason Top 15 poll. Kilgore checked in at No. 9 while Navarro sits at No. 13. Tyler and Trinity Valley each received votes.
Blinn finished 3-4 in conference play last season and qualified for the conference playoffs.
“We have the pieces to compete and win football games,” Mahon said. “It’s going to be a matter of putting it all together when the pads start popping, and we’re ready.”
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
