Freshly minted at No. 15, the Buccaneers play host to Southwest Junior College Football Conference counterpart Cisco College at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Cub Stadium in Brenham, Texas.
Blinn is enjoying a 2-0 start to the season following blowout home wins over Louisiana Community Christian (55-0) and Rezolution Prep Academy (76-0). The Bucs will now tangle with the Wranglers (1-0) to kick off what should be a tough conference slate.
Blinn is ranked for the first time since Oct. 18, 2021, when the Bucs opened the week at No. 15. Bucs head coach Ryan Mahon is hoping to cement this week’s ranking with a victory.
“I’m happy for our kids because they’ve gone out and earned it, and this isn’t something that just gets handed to you,” Mahon said. “Now we have to make sure we got out and continue to do the right thing and make something out of this.”
Cisco comes to town with one win under its belt, but it was a big one, as the Wranglers knocked off Gordan’s Fine Arts Academy 52-0 on Aug. 27.
Cisco brings a 3-4 defense to the table and will look to challenge first-year Blinn quarterback Brock Bolfing. Through two games, Bolfing, whose playing time was limited during his team’s two wins due to the scoring margins, has passed for 265 yards and a pair of touchdowns while completing almost 82% of his passes (18 for 22).
“I played against this scheme a lot in high school because our team ran that defense, and a lot of the teams we played ran the 3-4, so I know it well,” said Bolfing. “At the same time, we can know everything that we need to know, but if we don’t execute, all that goes away. Our coaches have done a great job, though, have us study and watch film, and that alone helps us execute the way we need to.”
When Bolfing isn’t throwing the football, the Bucs have made waves with their ground game. So far, Blinn has racked up 692 rushing yards, led by sophomore running back JJ Branham (130 yards and two TDs) and freshman Willie Eldridge (108 yards and three scores). Sophomore back Jalen Spicer and freshman Marvin Beasley have also played well with 89 and 84 yards, respectively. Spicer has one score on the year. Sophomores Ricky Madison and Terrance Keyes have also found the end zone, and sophomore wide receiver Canen Adrian has taken one to the house on a 12-yard end around. Bolfing also has a rushing touchdown, and freshman reserve quarterback Roland Harvey has flashed his ground ability with 103 yards and two TDs.
In the passing game, Adrian leads Blinn with 99 yards on six catches with two touchdowns, while sophomore Tre Harden has hauled in five passes for 85 yards and a score.
(Pictured: Blinn College running back JJ Branham, 6) trots into the end zone for a touchdown in Week 2)
So far, the Bucs have averaged 530 yards per game, including 346 on the ground.
On defense, Blinn has excelled. Not only have the Bucs pitched two shutouts, they’ve also allowed -4.5 yards per game.
Blinn has also racked up a robust 18 quarterback sacks to go with eight turnovers (four interceptions and four fumble recoveries).
The Wranglers deploy a triple-option offense which borrows from the Wing-T attack, and will look to do most of their offensive damage on the ground.
Freshman defensive back Maurice Evans, who earned the Bucs’ defensive player of the week honors for a five-tackle (one tackle for loss) performance against Rezolution Prep, said Blinn’s defense has studied Cisco’s film and plans to slow the Wrangler attack with execution and intensity.
“This entire week we’ve been grinding, competing every day, and making each other better because we know it’s a big week and we’ve got to come out and play,” Evans said. “We’ve got to come out and play harder, hit harder, and just show what we know we can do every week. The message from our coaching staff has been simple: This conference is tough, and it’s important to play hard and win every game. So, that’s what we need to do and we’re ready.”
Though Blinn has a bye week following its bout with Cisco, things get no easier in Week 5, as the Bucs travel to 2021 national champion and first-ranked New Mexico Military Institute. Mahon said the grueling nature of the SWJCFC is what makes it one of the best conferences in junior college football.
“Every game we play in this conference is tough, and that’s why my philosophy has always been to go 1-0 each week,” Mahon said. “Every team we compete against has an opportunity to beat us, but that’s what makes it fun to be in this conference, but what also makes it difficult. We have to make sure we stay focused and prepared for what’s ahead. That’s the biggest message we’ve sent our players this week.”
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
