#12 Apaches rally for road win over Cisco 38-28

By Phil Hicks phicks@tylerpaper.com

TJC rallied from a two touchdown first quarter deficit to score a 38-28 victory over Cisco College on Saturday at Chesley Field in Cisco.

The No. 12 Apaches won their second consecutive game to improve 5-2 overall and 4-1 in Southwest Junior College Football Conference play. The Wranglers fall to 4-3 and 3-3. The loss snapped CC's two-game winning streak.

Cisco took an early 14-0 lead before Tyler Junior College scored 24 consecutive points.

Apache freshman quarterback Josh Thomas, in his second start of the season for the injured Jaden Pete, led the comeback.

TJC actually started the game well, moving down the field on three plays to reach the Cisco 31, but Logan Johnson fumbled and Cisco's Samuel Odelami scooped up the ball and returned it 69 yards for a TD. David Michel made the extra point and the Wranglers led 7-0 just 13:54 into the game.

After a three-and-out by the Apaches, Cisco went on a nine-play 72-yard drive that was topped off by a 48-yard TD pass from Dallas Gomez to TJ Steele. Michel added the extra point and the Wranglers were on top 14-0 with 8:14 showing.

On the kickoff return, TJCs Gabe Adams fumbled the football and Cisco's Shawn White recovered at the Tyler 32.

The Wranglers eventually reached the 12, but the Apaches' defense stiffen and then blocked the 29-yard field goal attempt.

While the TJC offense continued to struggled, the defense stopped Cisco again when Obi Arinze and Jacob Robinson sacked Gomez.

Tyler got on the board by driving 81 yards on 10 plays, sparked by the running of Ashton Haynes and the arm and legs of Thomas.

On third-and-13, Thomas scrambled for 16 yards to the CC 20. Haynes then stepped off runs of 14 and 6 yards to find the end zone.

Tyler Legacy grad Christian Baxter booted the PAT and TJC was within 14-7 at 13:14 of the second quarter.

Later in the second quarter, Baxter kicked a 26-yard field goal to bring the Apaches within 14-10 at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Tribe scored two touchdowns to take the lead, 24-14.

TJC took its first lead when Thomas scrambled for a TDs on runs of 15 and 48 yards. Baxter made both PATS.

Cisco got within 24-21 as Gomez connected with Kye Stone for a 44-yard TD pass. Michel made the extra point with 14:34 showing in the fourth quarter.

Thomas followed with a 15-yard TD pass to Adams. Baxter's point after put the Apaches up 31-21 with 12:39 on the clock in the final period.

About three minutes later, the Wranglers were back within three points, 31-28, when Gomez hit Corey Sandolph for a 13-yard TD pass. Michel's PAT was good.

The Apaches then scored the final TD when Johnson 16 yards. Baxter's PAT made it 38-28 with 4:09 showing.

The Apaches return to play on Saturday, Oct. 28, traveling to Kilgore to play the Kilgore College Rangers at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. The winner has the inside track to win the regular season conference title and the No. 1 seed in for the postseason.

TJC's final regular season game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4 when the Apaches meet Navarro College at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium in Tyler. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

The Wranglers next game is also Saturday, Oct. 28 when they travel to Corsicana to meet Navarro College in a 3 p.m. contest.

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