of the spotless ‘ 94 season . “ It truly was a God ordained supernatural season with many extraordinary players , coaches and friends of the program ,” Pippin said .
The Cards held the top ranking every day of the season , but that didn ’ t mean they weren ’ t tested . The Cards had to rally to beat a stubborn Blinn team in Brenham , 34-27 , then went overtime to take the title game . The Cards tied the game on a Bryant field goal with about three minutes to play . The Cards scored the only points in overtime to take a 24-14 win home from Rose Stadium ,
Pippin ’ s stay at TVCC yielded a 24-8-2 record . Those Cardinal teams produced 19 all-conference players and six all-All Americans . During his time at Trinity Valley , he produced 19 all-conference players and six All-Americans . That list includes kicker Matt Bryant who kicked in the NFL for more than 20 years .
The Cards ’ quarterback was the nifty Donald Sellers . After earning All-American recognition at TVCC , he went to New Mexico , where he set Lobo records for passing percentage and passing efficiency . Seller ’ s life was cut short in an auto accident in 2001 . All-American Gary Haynes was a stalwart on the defensive line , died in 2014 at age 40 of a heart attack .
Another powerhouse lineman , 6 feet 7 inch Darren Benson impressed enough to get a shot with the Dallas Cowboys . He was with the Cowboys for four years , but injuries cut short his playing time .
After graduating a load of talent , the Cards slipped to 4-6 in 1995 and again in 1996 , before they found the magic again in 97 .
The Cards fielded a lock-down defense under Coach Scotty Conley . Unlike the youthful Pippin , Conley was loaded with experience and had been an assistant at the Division 1 NCAA level . His team was gritty and tough to score on . They allowed just 163 points over the 12 game season .
Sophomore Eric Flowers was anchor of the Cardinals ’ defensive line that season , for a unit that was prone to produce turnovers .
The National Championship match-up pitted the No . 1 Cards against No . 2 Garden City , Kansas . The challengers had no answer for the TVCC speed in a 48-13 rout .
The special teams and defense scored twice and set the table for three more scores for the Cards .
Michael Jamison , the defensive MVP for the game , blocked a punt that helped TVCC overcome a 7-0 deficit after the first quarter . After that , there was no looking back for the Cards . A few minutes later Jamison picked up a blocked field goal attempt and ran 85 yards to give TVCC their first lead .
TVCC led 28-7 at halftime , despite only gaining 67 yards on offense .
The Cardinal win was the final year of a four year sweep in which TVCC or Blinn won the National Title .
Despite some excellent seasons since and three years with double digit wins , the 94 and 97 seasons remain the Card ’ s only national football crowns .
Of course , from the Cards football success also overlaps the TVCC run in women ’ s basketball under Kurt Butke who won it all in 94,96,97 and 99 , but that ’ s a story for another season .
Coach Randy Pippin talks to national press after winning the ‘ 94 title . ( ADR File Photo )
Kids enjoy TVCC 1994 title . ( ADR File Photo )
22 | Greater Athens Magazine | November 2022