TVCC football gets local
This fall , the Trinity Valley Community College Football team will have three players who graduated from local high schools representing the Cardinals .
Outside linebacker Caleb Bennett and Linebacker Nathan Sims both graduated in 2021 from Athens High School and Quarterback Darion Peace graduated from Malakoff High School in 2021 .
Below are some Q & As to get to know two of these local players a little better .
Caleb Bennett
Q : How old were you when you started playing football / loving the game ?
A : I was around 6 years old when I first started playing and I ’ ve loved it since I started .
Q : Who have been your biggest influences ? A : My biggest influences have been my Dad because he got me started playing and taught me how to work hard and Tyrann Mathieu because I love his play style and the energy he brings on the field .
Q : Have you played college ball anywhere else ? A : Yes , I played at Howard Payne University for one year .
Q : What is your favorite thing about playing college ball ?
A : I love the grind and feeling of accomplishment that you get when you see all the hard work pay off .
Q : What is your favorite restaurant in Athens ? A : Ochoas
A : I love the intensity of the game and how you can become so immersed in the game that everything else besides that football game is shut out .
Q : What is your favorite restaurant in Athens ? A : Twisted Root
Q : What do you like to do for fun other than football / hobbies ?
A : Most of my free time I ’ m either at the gym working out or playing pickup basketball with the boys .
Q : What is the energy level difference in high school Friday Night Lights vs Saturday College play ?
A : There is a big difference in the level of intensity that ’ s on the field as the game is going and in college ball it ’ s taken more seriously because everybody is playing for their future and stability .
Q : Do you have a major or plan after TVCC ? A : My major is agricultural science at the moment and I plan on advancing to vet school in the future .
Q : What do you like to do for fun other than football / hobbies ?
A : I enjoy hopping on the game with the boys and spending time with my family .
Q : What is the energy level difference in high school Friday Night Lights vs Saturday College play ?
A : The energy level is much higher and more serious for Saturday college games compared to Friday night lights . Everyone on your team is very talented and has dreams to play for a long time so it raises the competitiveness compared to high school football .
Q : Do you have a major or plan after TVCC ?
A : I am majoring in Kinesiology to be a physical therapist . Hopefully , for a professional sports team .
Nathan Sims
Q : How old were you when you started playing football / loving the game ?
A : I started playing football when I got to 3rd grade , but I ’ ve always loved the sport .
Q : Who have been your biggest influences ? A : My biggest influences to play football have been my family and my coaches over the years .
Q : What is your favorite thing about playing college ball ?
Fanfare 2022 | 7
Photo courtesy of Carrie Bennett
Caleb Bennett makes a tackle in the intrasquad scrimmage .