Two teams battling for one of the four Southwest Junior College Football Conference post-season playoff spots collide Saturday at 2 p.m. as the Northeastern A&M Golden Norsemen entertain the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals during homecoming festivities at Robertson Field.
"All year long we've been successful rushing the football and we've got to be able to continue to do that," first-year NEO head coach Sherard Poteete said. "The better we can run the ball, the more it opens up the passing game for us. That translates into 'the better we can run it, the more success we'll have through the air',".
Seeking their first win in the SWJCFC after two losses, the Golden Norse conclude a four-game homestand with a 2-3 season record. NEO suffered a 63-49 loss on Sept. 26 to No. 6 ranked Tyler Junior College on Robertson Field.
The Golden Norsemen travel to Kilgore, Texas on Oct. 12 for a 3 p.m. conference clash with the Kilgore Rangers.
Seven-year head coach Brad Smiley has guided the TVCC Cardinals to a 3-2 season record and a 2-1 conference mark. Last weekend the Cardinals knocked No. 1 ranked Navarro College off the top perch by a 35-7 score in Corsicana, Texas.
Last season, with Poteete on the opposite sideline as offensive coordinator for the Cards, the Golden Norse gained a 24-10 victory at Bruce Field in Athens, Texas. NEO holds a slim 16-14 edge in the series which began in 1963.
"We've been able to get downhill with our running game," Poteete said. "Our interior linemen have been able to push and get movement up front to run the ball downhill.
"Obviously, the counter to that is if you can do that inside they start looking for it," Poteete said. "Then you are able to break a few big runs on the outside, so I think it compliments each other real well."
Sophomore running back Elliott Hawkins ranks fifth in the conference in rushing with 421 yards on 49 carries and four touchdowns. He is also averaging 20.8 yards per reception with six catches for 125 yards and one TD.
Veteran tailback Sheldon Wilson has contributed 369 yards on 56 carries with five TDs to the NEO ground game.
Freshman quarterback Tony Kiefer is the third member of the Golden Norse triple threat running attack. Kiefer has gained 327 yards on 62 carries with four touchdowns. He ranks fourth in the conference in passing by completing 57 of 97 passes for 723 yards and five touchdowns with five interceptions.
Six Golden Norse receivers have caught more than 100 yards thus far led by freshman wide out Samory Collier with 15 receptions for 206 yards and one TD.
Sophomore wide receiver Dawson Myers has 12 catches for 185 yards and one touchdown while veteran flanker Anthony Braxton
While NEO's league-leading offense is averaging 519 total yards per game, they are going up against a Trinity Valley defense that has limited the opposition to only 84.4 yards per game on the ground and 213.2 total yards per contest.
Three of Trinity Valley's defenders were recognized by the SWJCFC last week and end Jhaustin Thomas (6-6, 275 from Decatur, Ga.) was named defensive player of the week. Thomas recorded 9 tackles, one tackle for a loss, three quarterback sacks for minus-24 yards and three quarterback hurries.
Linebackers Josh Pickett and Cortney Finney also received recognition. Pickett had a team-high 12 tackles, including one for a loss while Finney notched 11 tackles, one tackle for a loss, one sack, and two passes defended.
"They have a very fast, talented and physical defensive team," Poteete said. "They are the type of defense that tries to create turnovers and either score off them or put their offense in position to score on a short field.
"That's why ball possession will be so critical to our offense," Poteete said. "We've got to protect the football and not let Trinity Valley take it away."
Even though NEO's defense is allowing an average of 343.4 total yards per game, the opposition has only managed 685 yards in total passing yards through five games.
"Our secondary has been playing well all year," Poteete said. "Our safeties are making plays and sometimes they're making too many plays. But the positive is that they're making them.
"Right now our pass defense has been very solid and we're going to have to stay that way," Poteete said. "What we've got to do now is make some stops in the running game, especially on third downs."
Sophomore linebacker Zach Maynard leads the Norse defense with 29 unassisted tackles and 16 assists. He also has three quarterback sacks for minus-43 yards and two tackles for a loss for minus-19 yards.
Veteran strong safety Devron Moore ranks second on the team with 26 solo tackles and 11 assists. He has made two interceptions and returned them for a combined 123 yards and one TD.
