Apaches Set to Host Kilgore in SWJCFC Semi-Final Showdown
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kilgore College | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
|
Tyler Junior College | 0 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
By Chase Upton
Tyler, TEXAS- Tyler Junior College's No. 10 nationally ranked football team will host Kilgore College (6-3, 4-3 SWJCFC) at 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at Christus TMF Rose Stadium for the Southwest Junior College Football Conference semi-final. The winner will advance to the SWJCFC championship on Nov. 23.
These two teams squared off less than a month ago when the Apaches clinched the 2024 SWJCFC regular season title with a 16-13 win. The game ended in dramatic fashion, with Christian Baxter drilling a 40-yard field goal as time expired to secure Tyler's victory. That historic victory not only marked Apache football's 500th program win but also kept them undefeated in conference play at 6-0, and secured home-field advantage throughout the SWJCFC postseason.
Tyler enters this matchup fresh off a bye week, aiming to capture their first SWJCFC semi-final win since 2021 when they edged out Kilgore 34-31. The Apache defense, which has been a force all season, leads the nation with 44 sacks and ranks among the nation's top defenses, allowing fewer than 18 points per game—one of just nine teams to do so.
Kilgore's defense is also impressive, ranking among the nine teams allowing fewer than 18 points per game. The Rangers sit fourth in the nation with 38 sacks and rank eighth in rushing defense, allowing fewer than 89 yards per game.
This game is set to be a thrilling showdown as these two teams battle for a coveted spot in the SWJCFC championship.
