Merchant makes impression at ETBU
Running back Cornelius Merchant was a valuable backup for the East Texas Baptist University football team this spring.
In his first season with extensive repetitions, the Madisonville High School graduate finished second on the team with 114 rushing yards and sixth with 116 receiving yards in compiling a career season. The sophomore had one rushing and two receiving touchdowns, tying for the team lead in touchdowns.
Merchant was a second-string back in a rotation.
“At first I wasn’t getting as many touches,” said Merchant. “At (Louisiana College), they finally saw what I could do.”
He had nine carries for a team-high 63 yards against Louisiana, both career bests, and a 10- yard reception.
The next game he had a career-best 73-yard receiving touchdown.
“I acted like I was blocking,” said Merchant. “The linebacker dropped back 20 yards.”
He caught the pass underneath coverage.
“When I turned around, the linebacker was coming for me,” said Merchant, noting that he dodged the defender’s attempted tackle. “I broke one tackle, and another dude tried to clip me. I stiff-armed him.”
The play energized his teammates, who swarmed him to celebrate.
“After about five minutes, I finally got to sit down and catch my breath,” said Merchant.
His lone rushing score was against Belhaven, six yards up the middle.
“I had to make a move on the linebacker,” said Merchant. “I made a half spin on the linebacker and made him miss.”
Through five games, Merchant said he fumbled twice.
“I’ve just got to work on really holding the ball when I make moves,” said Merchant.
He caught a 22-yard touchdown pass in the season finale, when he also rushed six times for 26 yards in a win over Texas Lutheran.
Late in the season, Merchant was a second-string blocker on the kickoff return team and a tackler on the kickoff unit.
More football
Sam Houston State University defensive lineman Chris Scott had three assisted tackles against Lamar. The former Mustang played in the first three games.
University of the Incarnate Word running back Tyrese Brown assisted on a tackle of a punt returner against Lamar. The freshman played for Madisonville.
