Bowler's love of football: 24/7

Friday, Oct 03, 2008 - 12:07 AM 

By FRED JETER

TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

James River graduate Terrence "T.C." Bowler plays on two flag football teams and for the Virginia Hornets of the East Coast semipro football league. Looking for an alternate source of fuel? Just hitch your wagon to Terrence "T.C." Bowler, and you're likely to go, go, go.

Bowler's day job is inspecting gas pumps for Baird Petroleum.

Meanwhile, his personal energy tank always is brimming over.

The former James River High athlete (Class of 2002) can stake claim to being the most gung-ho football player in town. The 6-1 190-pounder suits up for two flag football squads and also with the Virginia Hornets.

"Any chance to play football, I'll jump for it," he said.

Busy, busy: Bowler's pigskin calendar looks like this:

·  Monday and/or Wednesday nights: star wide receiver/defensive back for Primetime in the Crestview flag football league.

·  Sundays: similar role for Weekend Warrior League flag football powerhouse D-Mob at Ruffin Road Playground.

·  Saturdays: free safety for 6-1 Hornets of the East Coast semipro football league with home games at Armstrong High School.

·  Tuesdays and Thursdays: Hornets practices at Westover Elementary School.

"The toughest part," Bowler said, "is remembering the rules. There's not much contact in flag. With the Hornets, I've got to remember they'll hit you."

Quickly, he amended that statement: "No, the toughest part is really getting up Sunday morning when you're sore and just want to lay in bed."

This is Bowler's second year with the Hornets.

Background check: Bowler earned all-Dominion District honors at James River as a defensive back and kick returner.

He attended Ferrum and Saint Paul colleges with the idea of playing football but never did.

"I had a lot of maturing to do," he said.

Bowler is quick to inject his "pride and joy" into any conversation.

"My son [Tai] is my father's day gift, every day of the year," he said of his son. Tai's mother is Sara Yentes.

Sandlot: Bowler began playing Sunday pickup games at Monacan High School. That's where he met Joe Sanders, who now coaches and plays for Primetime and plays for D-Mob.

"We played 11 on 11, full contact, no gear," Sanders said. "T.C. was killing people."

Sanders added, "T.C. ought to be playing college ball now."

Primetime: You guessed it - the flag squad was named after Sanders' favorite football player, Deion Sanders.

Primetime was undefeated in the Crestview spring league and has been to four straight fall-league championship games, winning twice.

D-Mob: This perennial power won the U.S. Flag Football Association title in 2006, advanced to the semifinals last year and will compete in this year's nationals in Morgantown, W.Va., in December.

Bowler and Sanders go back and forth between Primetime and D-Mob. Both will compete at the state tournament, but possibly in different divisions.

Slogan: Coach Cliff Jefferson's Hornets speak for all adult football with their inspiring motto, "We don't stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing."