College Sports

By JOE BUIE
Staff Writer

Seventy-three scholarship football players reported for dorm check-ins, physicals and drug testing Tuesday at Tyler Junior College.

TJC head coach Danny Palmer is expecting around 95 players, including walk-ons, for today's first practices of the 2008 season.

"Everything was really organized (Tuesday)," said Palmer, who has been officially on the job for 18 months. "The coaches did a real good job of checking them in the dorms. Everything went right on schedule."

The schedule for today includes breakfast at 7 a.m., a team meeting at 8:15, and the first practice from 9-11:30 a.m.

The Apaches will conduct three-a-day workouts today, Thursday and Friday.

"We will be in shoulder pads, helmets and shorts one time a day for (two) hours. That will be the night practice," Palmer said. "The other portions will be walk-throughs, conditioning and meetings. That will be in the morning and afternoon."

The Apaches are allowed their first padded practice on Saturday -- actually two, followed by one padded practice on Sunday.

Sunday's activities will include attending church at First Baptist in Tyler.

The Apaches will continue working out next week leading to a scrimmage against Texas Lutheran in Seguin.

TJC will open the regular season Saturday, Aug. 30 against Independence (Kan.) Community College in Lindale.

The Apaches are aiming to snap a three-year playoff drought. TJC won its final three games last season to finish with a winning record (5-4) in back-to-back years.

The Apaches will try to carry over last year's momentum behind leaders Ryan Taylor and Keenan Woods on the offensive line; redshirt sophomore Stephen Schwark at quarterback, and Ira Duckworth at running back.

"The veteran offensive line is going to be the strength of our team," Palmer said.

Defensive stalwarts include Calvin Rubles, who can play both cornerback and safety; linebacker Joseph Whitaker (Jacksonville) and defensive end Ronny Green.

The Apaches lost all-conference cornerback Jason Teague (Carthage) and wide receiver Alonzo Adams (Houston Westside) to TCU last spring. ... The TJC football program has three new coaches on staff. Jermaine Williams, a former running back in the NFL, will coach the same position at TJC. Mike Cucci, brother of offensive line coach Stephen Cucci, will handle the receivers. Patrick Gow will coach the defensive line. ... Robert Mahon, brother of offensive coordinator Ryan Mahon, is a volunteer assistant in charge of the defensive secondary. ...The TJC volleyball team, and both soccer teams, reported for workouts last week.