BLINN FOOTBALL ENDS SEASON WITH ROAD LOSS TO TRINITY VALLEY
(Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information)
The Blinn College football team closed its season with a 31-20 road loss to No. 4 Trinity Valley Community College on Saturday in Athens, Texas.
The Buccaneers finished the season 4-5 overall and 2-5 in Southwest Junior College Football Conference play.
“I was proud of the way our kids played. They stayed the course, and we gave Trinity Valley the best we had,” Blinn head coach Ryan Mahon said. “We were trading punches offensively. I loved our game plan and the way we executed in the first half.
Blinn struck first when freshman kicker Jonathan Sanchez connected on a 32-yard field goal with 10:56 remaining in the first quarter. Trinity Valley responded with a passing touchdown, but Sanchez added a 23-yard field goal late in the opening period to pull the Bucs within 7-6.
Blinn regained the lead in the second quarter when sophomore running back Lorenn Johnson scored on a 6-yard run with 7:35 remaining. After a Trinity Valley field goal cut the deficit to 13-10, sophomore running back Semaj Gatson broke loose for a 94-yard touchdown run on the first play of Blinn's ensuing drive, extending the Bucs' lead to 20-10.
Trinity Valley answered with a passing touchdown before halftime, cutting Blinn's advantage to 20-17.
The Cardinals took their first lead since the opening quarter with a rushing touchdown in the third quarter, moving ahead 24-20. Blinn remained within striking distance until Trinity Valley blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown with 2:34 remaining in the fourth quarter, sealing the 31-20 victory.
“Penalties hurt us in the second half, but we gave them all they could handle,” Mahon added. “Our kids didn’t flinch at all.”
Mahon also expressed optimism about the direction of the program heading into the offseason.
“A lot of things are heading in the right direction, and we need to build off of them. We made dramatic improvement from 2025, and we need to keep building off that. We know exactly what we need to get done,” Mahon said.
The coach is particularly excited about the continued development of Blinn's young talent as the Bucs look toward next season.
“I’m excited to see these freshmen develop and help us make a run at this thing next year,” Mahon said. “I’m proud of this bunch. They fought their tails off the entire year.”