Apaches Take Down Kilgore and Advance to SWJCFC Championship

By Chase Upton

Tyler, TEXAS- Tyler Junior College's No.10 nationally ranked football team defeated Kilgore College 28-17 in the SWJCFC semi-final to punch their ticket to the conference championship game on Nov. 23.

The Apaches had a slow start in their win, beginning the game with a three-and-out. Later in the first quarter, with 7:17 remaining, Kilgore put together a 12-play, 66-yard drive capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run from running back Keith Willis Jr. and an extra point by kicker Anthony Monsivais gave Kilgore an early 7-0 lead that they would take to the end of the first period.

With 14:33 left in the half, on the first play after a TJC punt, Kilgore quarterback Tyler Webb broke free for an 83-yard touchdown run, pushing the Rangers' lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter.

Tyler regained possession and orchestrated a beautiful drive, highlighted by a bold 4th-and-3 conversion at Kilgore's 30-yard line. The Apaches capped the 13-play, 69-yard drive with QB Tre Guerra connecting with wide receiver Cam Thomas, who battled his way into the end zone for an 18-yard TD reception. With the extra point from K Christian Baxter, the Ranger lead was narrowed to 14-7.

TJC received the ball back four minutes later but fumbled it back to Kilgore at the six-minute mark, giving the Rangers prime field position at TJC's 34-yard line. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for Kilgore to reclaim a double-digit lead, but the Apaches had other plans. On a 44-yard field goal attempt, cornerback Jayden Lawton burst off the right edge to block the kick, the ball was then scooped up by fellow cornerback Kendall Marks on the left side, who sprinted it to the end zone for the good guys. With Christian Baxter's extra point, the Apaches stunned Kilgore and tied the game at 14 apiece with 3:23 to go in the first half.

The Rangers responded quickly with a 4-play, 52-yard drive that stalled just short of the red zone. Kilgore K Anthony Monsivais stepped up and drilled a 32-yard field goal, reclaiming a three-point lead for the Rangers.

This game would go into the halfway point with Kilgore holding a 17-14 lead over the Apaches.

Coming out of the half, Kilgore took a huge risk, going for it on fourth-and-inches on their 31-yard line, and the gamble backfired. TJC delivered a crucial stop, and on the very first play following the turnover on downs, quarterback Tre Guerra connected with tight end Lonnie Johnson over the middle for a 30-yard touchdown reception. With Christian Baxter's extra point, the Apaches took their first lead of the game at 21-17, with 12:58 left in the third quarter.

Five minutes later, Tyler's special teams unit forced a muffed punt by Kilgore, giving the Apaches great field position at the Rangers' 48-yard line. The Apaches capitalized with quarterback Tre Guerra connecting in the endzone yet again with tight end Lonnie Johnson, this time for a 24-yard haul in. Following Christian Baxter's extra point, TJC took strong control of a 28-17 lead with 5:19 remaining in the third quarter.

With 4:16 remaining in regulation, defensive lineman Samuel Robles blocked a 34-yard field goal attempt by Kilgore and the Apaches would go on to close out their SWJCFC semi-final victory.

The star-studded Apache defense dominated the fourth quarter, holding strong the TJC 11-point lead and putting out any hopes Kilgore had of making a comeback by not allowing a score in the second half. 

TJC's offense was led by quarterback Tre Guerra, who threw for 145 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Tight end Lonnie Johnson had four receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns while running back Lavarion "Tank" Logan led the ground game with 76 rushing yards.

Tyler now moves on to the championship where they will rematch with Navarro College (7-2) at Christus TMF Rose Stadium on Nov. 23 at 3 p.m. as the Apaches look to win the SWJCFC championship game for the first time since 2000.