FB: Southern Athletic Association

[tigerguy]

Glad our boys made it a game at the end. Fumbles in first half and horrific special teams is what ultimately did us in. Refs all over the place. Main announcer needs to quit (color guy was fine IMO).

Edit: oh, and the WR drops....brutal...

Tough way to end the season but they fought until the end. Hats off to Berry once again.

Would be amazing if Taverez stayed for his final year - he should not be in D3.

[Ron Boerger]

And Mount Union lost, so Berry will get to host next week. 

[D3Navy]

Interesting USA Today interview with Coach Urban and the staff at Penn:  "Part 3 of a series that looks behind the curtain of college recruiting. USA TODAY Sports was granted behind-the-scenes access by the football staff at the University of Pennsylvania, a Division I program that offers a high academic profile but no Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) money or scholarships. We also conducted a phone interview with Jerheme Urban, a former NFL wide receiver who is now the head football coach at Trinity University, a high athletic and academic Division III liberal arts school in San Antonio.".  It doesn't seem to be paywalled but you may have to turn off your ad blocker:  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/12/06/how-to-get-recruited-ivy-penn-trinity-football/87634917007/

Thanks, Ron.  Nice article.

[D3Navy]

10 yards rushing?  I wasn't able to watch the game.  Is that right?

10 yards rushing?!

[Ron Boerger]

10 yards rushing?  I wasn't able to watch the game.  Is that right?

10 yards rushing?!

Yes, though that includes losing 34 yards on the would-be punt that sailed over Runyan's head, and 24 yards lost on sacks (tho it seemed like more than three sacks).  Berry had a 5'8" lineman (SAA DPoY Michael Clark) who is nearly that wide who wreaked havoc constantly.  Didn't get many tackles but just pushed our OL around so the faster guys could get through to make tackles or put pressure on Hondo.

[tigerguy]

10 yards rushing?  I wasn't able to watch the game.  Is that right?

10 yards rushing?!

They effectively abandoned run in second half and should have done it earlier. Disappointing to see the line unable to open much room after their success against Hardin Simmons. Berry has some very effective D-linemen.

Berry was also double covering or shifting safety to Tavarez' side the entire first half so Hondo wasn't able to open things up until they went to more receiver sets. Tavarez dominated the third, but starting the half down 22-0 was not ideal.

[D3Navy]

Only two attempts for Huerta is inexplicable.  Only he had the size and strength to challenge a line like Berry's. 

He should have been the go-to back all season. Instead, Trinity rotated backs continuously not allowing any of them to get into the groove. A real head shaker.

[MCScots2013]

This is the most annoying announcer I've listened to all year.... twice now for that matter. I need to buy him a "Hooked on Phonics" class. It's not "scrannel" and it's not "treveris"

Like sound it out man! The other guys isn't bad.

He gets so emotional anytime Berry has a play it hurts my ears because they never fixed their microphone issue.

He's insufferable. I hope he's a student and graduates soon.

Sack. 40 yard down field completion. Gash the D for a 25 yard run. 50 yard FG. John Ward "Give Him 6!" tagline. Acceptable moments to get animated. This guy yells every time a Berry player farts without ruining their white game pants.

[Cowboy2]

This is the most annoying announcer I've listened to all year.... twice now for that matter. I need to buy him a "Hooked on Phonics" class. It's not "scrannel" and it's not "treveris"

Like sound it out man! The other guys isn't bad.

He gets so emotional anytime Berry has a play it hurts my ears because they never fixed their microphone issue.

He's insufferable. I hope he's a student and graduates soon.

Sack. 40 yard down field completion. Gash the D for a 25 yard run. 50 yard FG. John Ward "Give Him 6!" tagline. Acceptable moments to get animated. This guy yells every time a Berry player farts without ruining their white game pants.

He's not a student unless he's Van Wilder. I've heard him a few years now and think he's called all 3 of the most recent regular season games vs Trinity plus the playoffs

[Ron Boerger]

A devastatingly ****ty weekend for Trinity athletics.  As previously noted, the women VBers lost in the Final Four, the football team lost, and today the men's soccer team suffers a tying goal with FOUR SECONDS LEFT and then, understandably crushed, lose the championship to #1 Tufts in OT. 

[Cowboy2]

A devastatingly ****ty weekend for Trinity athletics.  As previously noted, the women VBers lost in the Final Four, the football team lost, and today the men's soccer team suffers a tying goal with FOUR SECONDS LEFT and then, understandably crushed, lose the championship to #1 Tufts in OT.

I was sad when I checked in on the men's soccer score and saw it happen in OT. Stinks we lost but still made it to the natty, at least!

Ladies soccer dropped in OT this year in the playoffs too. Throw in the Volleyball losing in the final 4, to the national champs, and with football stubbing their toe, I'm still happy to see so many Tiger sport programs at Trinity be on the national stage and competing deep into their respective brackets.

Men's BBall is ranked and doing well too! So is cross country. Interesting to see how Trinity ranks across the board for fall sports. True "Student" athletes

Wish for football sake, that the committee wouldn't have thrown all of R3 into the same pod, with 4/5 in one sub bracket. Would've been neat to see how the region matched up against other regions.

[D3Navy]

A devastatingly ****ty weekend for Trinity athletics.  As previously noted, the women VBers lost in the Final Four, the football team lost, and today the men's soccer team suffers a tying goal with FOUR SECONDS LEFT and then, understandably crushed, lose the championship to #1 Tufts in OT.

I was sad when I checked in on the men's soccer score and saw it happen in OT. Stinks we lost but still made it to the natty, at least!

Ladies soccer dropped in OT this year in the playoffs too. Throw in the Volleyball losing in the final 4, to the national champs, and with football stubbing their toe, I'm still happy to see so many Tiger sport programs at Trinity be on the national stage and competing deep into their respective brackets.

Men's BBall is ranked and doing well too! So is cross country. Interesting to see how Trinity ranks across the board for fall sports. True "Student" athletes

Wish for football sake, that the committee wouldn't have thrown all of R3 into the same pod, with 4/5 in one sub bracket. Would've been neat to see how the region matched up against other regions.

Hear, hear!  Easy to overlook to incredible success across all athletic programs at Trinity.  The "4 second" loss was a body blow and should serve as serious motivation next year.  Onward!

[Ron Boerger]

D3football.com All-Region teams are out. Recipients from the SAA:

Coach of the Year:  Tony Kunczewski, Berry

1st Team:
QB:  Bryson Rollins, Maryville
WR:  Alejandro Tavarez, Trinity
TE:  Jalen McCullough, Maryville
G:  McCormack Langford, Berry
C:  Caleb Bayer, Trinity
CB:  Grant Henderson, Maryville
ST:  Cade Petty, Berry

2nd team:
WR:  Blake Busson, Centre
T:  Connor Keele, Trinity
G:  Bryson Hill, Berry
K:  Connor Babin, Millsaps
RET:  Cree Ross, Centre
DE:  Michael Clark, Berry
LB:  TJ Scannell, Trinity

3rd team:
WR:  Graydon Thompson, Southwestern
WR:  Greg Donaldson, Millsaps
T:  Reed Richards, Berry
DE:  Johnny Nwobodo, Trinity
LB:  Caleb Harmon, Southwestern
S:  Chaz Pope, Berry
P:  Chase Lanham, Southwestern

Congratulations to all recipients!

[Cowboy2]

Happy to see Caleb Bayer, Trinity, earn 1st Team All American on the AFCA awards! Also, former Tiger BJ Stewart (UMHB) was recognized as the 1st Team AA Returner. Go Tigers!

https://www.afca.com/currys-montie-quinn-and-adrians-ethan-burrows-headline-the-2025-afca-division-iii-coaches-all-america-teams/

[MCScots2013]

Maryville announced the formation of the Kramer Memorial Fund today with MC President Dr. Bryan Coker noting, "We are working with the Kramer family to steer contributions to this memorial fund, and later, we will collaborate with members to determine how donations can best support those projects and initiatives that would align with Roy's and Sara Jo's values, interests, and wishes for the College," said Maryville College President Dr. Bryan F. Coker. "We are so appreciative of the family's support and cooperation during this time."

He (Coker) is a busy man these days.  Working with former senators Lamar Alexander and Bill Frist to fundraise for the $80M Alexander Institute for Conservation Leadership and the Sciences and now working with the Kramer family for something big.  What kind of big remains to be seen, but given Mr. Kramer was the commissioner of the SEC, Vandy's AD and national championship winning coach at Central Michigan (and the link to the Kramer Fund is on the athletics webpage, not academic) leads me to believe there is going to be a big announcement soon regarding facilities for the athletics department.

As I get older, the more I love our alma mater (the song, that is).  The Alexander Institute's focus is centered around Maryville's scenic location at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains (20 minutes or so from the park) and how we can protect its natural beauty.  It reminds me of the opening line of our alma mater--I hope they can incorporate this somehow in the project.  "Where Chilhowee's lofty mountains pierce the southern blue, proudly stands our alma mater--noble, grand and true."