KINGSVILLE – Tarleton's Marcus Phillips and Alonzo Horton will play in the 2010 Valero Cactus Bowl in Kingsville on Friday, Jan. 8.  Kickoff for the NCAA Division II All-Star game is set for 6:30 p.m.

Fans can watch the game via the Fox College Sports Channel and also on a webcast available at www.cactusbowl.org.  The game will also be broadcast on KCCT 1150 AM, a sister station of ESPN 1230 in Corpus Christi, Fox Sports Radio 1070 AM in Alice and KTAI 91.1 FM in Kingsville.

Philips and Horton helped lead the Texans to a 10-3 overall record and the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.  The last time the duo was in Kingsville, Tarleton claimed a 57-56 double overtime victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville on the same field the game will be played on – Javelina Stadium.

Phillips, who was named to the Don Hansen's Football Gazette All-Super Region Four First Team earlier this week, was named the Lone Star Conference South Division Linebacker of the Year and had 97 tackles for the Texans in 2009.  The senior from Humble had 45 solo and 52 assisted stops this season, including 11.5 tackles for a loss of minus-36 yards.  Phillips recorded two and a half sacks for minus-11 yards while forcing one fumble.

A four-year letterwinner for the Texans, Phillips intercepted three passes and returned them for a total of 34 yards while breaking up five and defending eight others.

Horton was fourth on the team in tackles with 53 total stops.  He had 17 solo and 36 assisted tackles in 2009.  Horton had eight tackles for a loss of minus-35 yards, including three and a half sacks for minus-25 yards.  The senior from New Orleans, La. also had two pass breakups and two passed defended.

Phillips had a season-high nine tackles against West Texas A&M, including two solo and seven assisted stops.  He recorded six assisted tackles at TAMUK in the playoff contest.

Tarleton finished the season 10-3 and was shared the LSC Championship and LSC South Division crowns.  The Texans reached the Sweet Sixteen of the football playoffs, advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the second time in school history.