HIGH EXPECTATIONS: Tyler Junior College head football coach Danny Palmer (middle) is counting on a pair of returning first-team, all-conference standouts in Maurice Hood (left) and Jabroski Smiley (right).

By JOE BUIE
Staff Writer, Tyler Morning Telegraph

It's been a summer of construction projects around Palmer and Mahon avenues on the Tyler Junior College campus.

TJC has a beautiful new football practice facility, which someday could be turned into a college stadium; and Wagstaff Gymnasium is being renovated.

A block east of Wagstaff Gym sits the football field house, where ground was broken last year on the re-construction of a tradition-rich program.

TJC head football coach Danny Palmer has settled in comfortably entering his fourth year at the helm. The Apaches (7-3) snapped a four-year playoff drought in 2009, and almost upset national champion Blinn in the postseason.

Furthermore, Palmer's coaching staff returns virtually intact, led by associate head coach Ryan Mahon.

Mahon, who is also the offensive coordinator, is entering his sixth year on the staff. Linebackers coach George Cumby is in his fourth year, followed by secondary coach Robert Mahon (third year).

The graduate assistants are Courtney Farrell (offensive line, second year), Adrian Haywood (defensive line, second year) and newcomer Price Ferguson (running backs).

"The coaching staff's been together, there's been no changes in the top two assistants," said Palmer, a Tyler native. "This is the same staff coming back from last year and that makes a difference in junior college football."

The Apaches list 13 sophomores among the starting lineup for Saturday's season opener at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. They have 23 sophomores listed on the two-deep chart.

Palmer says the expectations are to win a conference championship, which would entail beating league superpowers Navarro and Blinn, teams that are a combined 6-0 against Palmer's teams.

Palmer said the Apaches have the talent and experience to succeed in all three phases of the game.

They bring back two first-team all-conference standouts in slot receiver Jabroski Smiley (Lufkin) and weak safety Maurice Hood (Robert E. Lee).

Smiley led the league in receiving last year with 33 catches for 694 yards. He scored five touchdowns receiving and one on a punt return. Hood was third in the conference with 95 tackles, and he also contributed four sacks and three interceptions.

TJC has veterans in the offensive line, including Lindale's Josh Gilbert at left guard; and a deep and fast receiving corps. The Apaches, however, are relatively unproven at quarterback and running back.

Sophomore QB Jeffrey Claybon (Lufkin), who played sparingly last year, is not expected to start the opener after missing practice time with a concussion. Claybon has practiced this week and should play Saturday, Palmer said.

Luke Halpin will be the opening-day starting QB. The former Mesquite standout, a redshirt freshman, is a transfer from West Texas A&M.

The third QB will be 6-2, 180-pound freshman Dominique Jefferson, who is on the active roster.

"We're not going to redshirt Jefferson, he's too good of a football player," Palmer said. "You might see him returning kicks ... He's further along than Vincent McNeil was as a freshman."

Palmer said Claybon has a big, strong arm - a dual threat, while "Jefferson's best asset is running. Halpin is a very good passer. All of them handle the ball well."

In TJC's 4-2-5 defense, the only glaring question mark is at right cornerback after highly regarded Richard Lyles suffered a season-ending injury during practice. That created a starting opportunity for CJ Johnson, a freshman walk-on from Robert E. Lee.

"I'm anxious to see how he's going to do," Palmer said. "He's done pretty well against us."

The Apaches have more depth in the defensive line, which includes four players from Lee on the two-deep chart; and playmakers at linebacker (Steven Sanders had three sacks last season).

Palmer has been touting linebacker Rikko Harris, a 6-2, 215-pound freshman from Waco University.

"He's a complete football player," Palmer said. "He really understands the game. He's a very good athlete."

The Apaches figure to be strong in the kicking game with returning starter Jorge Martinez and deep snapper Travis Bergin.

"I think that's going to be a big key," Palmer said. "I trust (Martinez) and we have a good snapper. That's always a big plus."

TJC Football Schedule
Aug. 28 at Coffeyville (Kan.) 7 p.m.
Sept. 4 Kilgore 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 *Navarro 7 p.m.
Sept. 25 *at Trinity Valley 7 p.m.
Oct. 2 *at Cisco 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 *Blinn 7 p.m.
Oct. 14 *NE Oklahoma A&M 7 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Lon Morris 7 p.m.
Oct. 30 *at Kilgore 3 p.m.

Link to Original Article:  http://tylerpaper.com/article/20100826/SPORTS06/8260336