The Navarro Community College football team arrived here Thursday afternoon with the intent of becoming the first team to defeat Dixie College in the annual Dixie Rotary Bowl.
For the past five years, teams have come to St. George from all over the country - Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma and New York - only to lose to Dixie every time. The 8-2 Bulldogs meet the 6-4 Rebels Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hansen Stadium.The Bulldogs from Corsicana, Texas, should be favored, entering the game with an impressive No. 3 ranking in junior college football, although they did lose a game since the final rankings came out.
Just two years ago, Navarro captured the national junior college championship with a perfect 10-0 record.
The Bulldogs are similar to the Rebels in that they are a running team that relies on a strong defense. The Bulldogs run a 3-back set similar to a wishbone. Earnest Hunter, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards, is the top runner.
Dixie is led by Kalin Hall, the National JC Player of the Year. He rushed for just under 2,000 yards this year.
After arriving Thursday, the Navarro team joined the Dixie team at a banquet where BYU Coach LaVell Edwards was the featured speaker. Friday, the Navarro team will do some sightseeing at Zion National Park.
As part of the bowl festivities, a marching band invitational will be held at Hansen Stadium Friday night. "We've played in five bowl games and I think the hospitality here is the best I've seen," said Navarro Coach Bob McElroy.