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Former Palacios linebacker finds home along Javelinas defensive line

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Aaron Buckley
  • BY WES BLOOMQUIST - WBLOOMQUIST@VICAD.COM
  • Originally published November 11, 2009 at 11:15 p.m., updated November 11, 2009 at 11:25 p.m.

  • NCAA Division II PlayoffsTarleton State at Texas A&M-Kingsville,

    1 p.m., Saturday

Aaron Buckley hasn't looked back or regret his decision to transfer from Texas A&M to Texas A&M-Kingsville for a second.

"I committed really soon as a junior and I just wasn't very happy in College Station," said Buckley, who enrolled at TAMUK last spring and started working out with the Javelinas during spring practices. "They (the Aggies) were my first offer and I jumped on it. The environment was a lot different than I was used to and I just never felt at home there. I thought the transfer was going to be a good idea and it's worked out that way."

Buckley, who was a Class 3A all-state selection in his senior season at Palacios in 2007, has played in all 11 games this season for the 9-2 Javelinas. Buckley, 6-foot-1, 225-pound physical therapy major, has recorded 17 tackles on the year and one sack going into the Javelinas' home playoff game against Tarleton State on Saturday.

"The first couple of games took a little while to get used to because of sitting out the year," said Buckley, who was moved from linebacker to defensive end for the first time in his career this season. "It affected me but I kept working and think I'm playing pretty well right now.

"I've picked up a lot of schemes with the position switch. I'm more away of the complete defense and what we all have to do to become a winning team. I'm enjoying the change."

Buckley and the Javelinas are in the playoffs for the first time since 2004 and finished the regular season as the Lone Star Conference champions two years after going 3-7. Texas A&M-Kingsville is in the postseason for the 22nd time overall and 14th time in the NCAA Division II. The Hogs were 16-1 all-time in the NAIA playoffs, 17-13 in the NCAA and 33-14 overall.

"We set our goals in the spring and everyone has been working really hard to met those goals," Buckley said. "Our team has come together and is real excited about making the playoffs and the way that we've been playing this season."

TAMUK and Tarleton State played once before this season with the Javelinas winning 34-20. Buckley said the Cowboys are a tough team and it will be a big challenge to beat them twice in one season.

"They have a lot of skilled players throughout their team that execute really well," said Buckley of Tarleton State. "I think as long as we get pressure on them and our secondary continues to play well, our defense will be able to limit them in what they are trying to come in here and do."

Also playing for the Javelinas from the Advocate-area are: Tim Byerly (Memorial), Matt Short (Memorial), Kier Wells (St. Joseph), Tyler McAfee (Calhoun), Dustin Appling (El Campo) and Thad Diess (El Campo).

Brandon Brinkley (Bay City) had six tackles and an interception in Houston's 46-45 comeback win over Tulsa on Saturday night. Brinkley returned the interception 33 yards for the Cougars who improved to 8-1 on the season.

D.J. Yendrey (Edna) contributed to TCU's 55-12 win over San Diego State with two tackles. Yendrey, a true freshman, has 10 tackles and two sacks on the season for the 9-0 Horned Frogs.

Da'Marcus Griggs (Bay City) caught three passes for 24 yards and Corey Scott (Cuero) had one reception for 24 yards to help lead Texas State to a 27-24 win over Central Arkansas.

Trey Parma (Yorktown) led Texas Lutheran with 11 tackles and an interception in a 42-3 loss to Louisiana College. Texas Lutheran fell to 0-9 on the season with the loss.

Kyle Noack (Cuero) was 3-for-4 passing with a 32-yard touchdown pass in the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's 45-7 win over Howard Payne on Saturday. Rocky Vaclavick (Edna) had two tackles and four pass breakups in the game for the Cru who move to 8-1 on the season.

Michael Smith (Bay City) had three tackles for Rice in a 31-28 loss to SMU on Saturday.

Chris Baer (Shiner) was named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for a career-high 209 yards on 19 carries in Trinity's 27-17 victory over Centre College. Baer has rushed for 683 yards on 114 attempts, and five touchdowns this season. Justin Campbell (Memorial) and Caleb Urban (Memorial) started and played the entire game in the Trinity win. Urban had a 23-yard touchdown reception in the game. Dennis Grebe (Bay City) contributed with four tackles in the game. The Tigers improved to 6-3 and 3-2 in conference with the victory.

Hank Gilley (St. Joseph) played in Midwestern State's 15-13 win over Abilene Christian last Saturday. With the win, the Mustangs (9-2) advanced to the playoffs were they play a rematch with Abilene Christian on Saturday.

Labree Sledge (Memorial) finished with 15 points, all from the 3-point line in Tyler Junior College's 90-62 win over Brookhaven last Friday.


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