22 | PALESTINE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY EDITION 2024
FEATURE | COLLEGE FOOTBALL
TRAVIS TAPLEY | Courtesy Photo
Trinity Valley freshman Perry Cole Jr . wraps up the Independence quarterback in a 37-30 overtime victory in the season opener Aug . 24 at Bruce Field .
Palestine Wildcats making the most of time at Trinity Valley Community College
JOE ELERSON
When it comes to the talent in the junior college ranks , the Palestine Wildcats and Westwood Panthers have four players and a coach on this year ’ s Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals football roster .
The Cardinals have four Palestine Wildcats on the football roster , but only two have seen playing time this year . The coach is none other than Westwood graduate Leonard Hunt .
Those players are defensive tackle Perry Cole Jr ., running back Taj Wilson , kicker and punter Christian Hernandez and offensive lineman Julian Garcia .
Palestine Athletic Director and Head Football Coach James Reyes said seeing the success of the players from Palestine under Lance Angel makes him proud of what he came into this year .
“ The foundation starts in high school and that is what I am trying to teach these guys ,” Reyes said . “ Moving forward , it gets tougher once you leave from here . Perry should be a huge influence on these kids because he comes back and sits on the sidelines and helps the kids out . He has picked up a bunch of Division I offers and he is an early qualifier , which means he can leave in January and move on to a Division I program . Perry is a good kid who works hard and in junior college , it worked for him .” The ones who have seen action are Cole , Jr . and Wilson . Cole , Jr . has played in all six games so far and recorded 23 tackles , three for loss with four sacks and one pass breakup . His best game was against Air Force Prep with 10 tackles , two sacks and one tackle for loss .
“ When he turns the switch on and plays hard , then he really plays at a high level . I think he came out and had a great first game in making some plays and getting things done , Trinity Valley Community College
22 | PALESTINE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY EDITION 2024