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Head Football Coach Sherard Poteete said . “ After that , he played hard and did stuff but it wasn ’ t as productive in games two and three . In the last few weeks , his production is going back up . Every freshman sees different competition and you have to get going and get in shape and play as long and hard as you can .”
In a 37-30 win over Independence Community College in the season opener , Cole , Jr . had eight tackles , two sacks , one tackle for loss and a pass breakup .
He said following the game against Independence , he knew he had to get in better shape and get his mind right during the next three games .
“ It has been a different experience because college is a lot different than high school . The workouts have been harder and the coaches are coaching you a lot harder . The competition level is higher than it was in high school ,” Cole said . “ I feel like I wasn ’ t playing as much during that time . My coach liked that I came to him and talked with him about my playing time . I am now coming back to that first week Perry like I was at the start of the season .”
Poteete said the chance to pick up Cole Jr . was perfect for him because the transfer portal made it difficult for him to land the school he wanted .
“ Perry was a kid who had some options and opportunities coming out of high school .” Poteete said . “ It was fortunate for us that he came to us and he has been playing really well right now . He is a big kid with a good motor and that is one thing we are trying to work on with him . He has got to go on every single play and a lot of times at Palestine , he was the bigger and better player on the field .”
Cole said that transition was a blessing in disguise because it helped him figure out who he was as a player and he is ready to head to the next level in January .
“ You can see yourself developing a lot here . When I first got here , I didn ’ t really know who I was but now I know who I am and Trinity Valley did a lot for me ,” Cole Jr . said . “ I have gained 25 pounds since I have been here and I will be transferring to a University after this season . I am waiting on some more offers to come in and weigh my options after that .”
Poteete said when it comes to Cole Jr . it makes him happy that he can still come back to Palestine to tell the Wildcats what the journey at TVCC is like and how they can become junior college players .
“ Perry is a great young man and his family has done a great job with him . We are fortunate to have him . We always want local guys to come in and do well . It is hard for local guys to do well , because not everybody gets to play college football ,” Poteete said . “ Sometimes you have buddies who you were with in school and they don ’ t have anything going on . Perry has a good head on his shoulders and it is awesome to see him go back and hang out with his college buddies when he can .”
Cole Jr . said Cason Applewhite is one player he has really been talking to during his transition to college ball .
“ I was talking to my little cousin Cason Applewhite about how the little plays that he could have made are making a big impact in the game ,” Cole Jr . said . “ In college , you can ’ t do that and have to make those plays because if you don ’ t , there is always somebody behind you who is going to take your spot .”
Wilson has played in four games and started at running back in a 48-0 victory over Air Force Prep Sept . 27 . He has four carries for 13 yards in two of the four games for the Cardinals .
Poteete said Wilson has been one of those rare gems this season .
““ Taj is a kid who showed up and went to work ,” Poteete said . “ He is a guy who got a few reps the first and second game and then started for us a couple of weeks back . He is a tough , hard-nosed kid who shows up and works hard and has been a surprise and joy to have on the team .”
Hernandez and Julian Garcia have not played a game this season for the Cardinals .
“ Christian is a guy who has the talent and the ability to be really good . He hasn ’ t been doing it as long as some of the other guys , but he is better in October than when he showed up in July . I think the future will be bright for Christian Hernandez .”
When it comes to Garcia , Poteete said he is currently using him as an emergency back-up , but he would like to give him another year to develop as a player .
“ Julian playing center and another young guy who will continue to get better as he develops ,” Poteete said . “ He travels with us and we want him to get all of the mental reps that he can with us and we don ’ t want to waste the year of eligibility on a few snaps here and there . If something happens , he is ready to go in and play for us . We want him to get stronger and bigger to make the adjustment from high school to junior college football .”
The Cardinals also have an Anderson County graduate on the coaching staff in Tight Ends and Running Backs Assistant Coach Leonard Hunt . Hunt is in his fifth season with the Cardinals and is a graduate of Westwood High School .
“ Leonard is a great coach for us ,” Poteete said . “ He wears a lot of hats for us with coaching running backs and tight ends and then he is our special teams coordinator . When you get good young coaches who take care of the responsibilities that they have , they deserve more responsibilities . He helps us with offense and game planning and we have done a good job on that . He is good in the recruiting world for us and we are happy that coach Hunt is on our staff .”
TRAVIS TAPLEY | Courtesy Photo
Trinity Valley freshman Taj Wilson fights through the Kilgore Rangers defense in a home loss Oct . 19 at Bruce Field .
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