SWJCFC Championship: Apaches Set for Rematch with No. 6 Navarro College

By Chase Upton

Tyler, TEXAS- Tyler Junior College's No.7 nationally ranked football team will battle No.6 Navarro College (7-2) in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference championship game on Nov. 23 at 3 p.m. at Christus TMF Rose Stadium.

The Apaches are aiming to capture their first SWJCFC championship game win since 2000 when they edged out Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 23-21 in what was then called the Red River Bowl.

The first matchup between Tyler and Navarro this season came in Tyler's regular season finally back on Nov. 2. Navarro won 49-24 and handed Tyler their first and only conference loss of the season.

Since their last meeting, TJC overcame a 14-0 deficit early in the second quarter to secure a 28-17 victory over Kilgore College and earn their spot in this championship showdown.

Navarro, on the other hand, has played two games since facing the Apaches. The Bulldogs secured a 48-28 victory over New Mexico Military College (3-7) on Nov.9 and last week edged out Cisco College (4-5) 28-21 to punch their ticket to this rematch with Tyler.

The star-studded Apache defense leads the country in sacks with 45 and is one of 11 teams in the country allowing less than 18 points a game.

Tyler's defense faces a tough challenge in this conference championship clash, as Navarro boasts the nation's second-ranked passing attack, averaging 286.9 yards per game through the air which trails only top-ranked Iowa Western Community College.

This matchup promises to be a thrilling showdown, with both teams fighting for more than just the conference title—a coveted spot in the Heart of Texas Bowl on Dec. 7 at Memorial Stadium at East Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas, is also on the line.