Apaches Fight to the End but Fall Short in SWJCFC Championship Thriller

By Chase Upton

Tyler, TEXAS- Tyler Junior College's No.7 nationally ranked football team fell 31-28 to No.6 Navarro College (8-2) in a thrilling SWJCFC championship game.

Navarro opened the game with an impressive 8-play, 55-yard drive, finished off by a 44-yard field goal from kicker Haden Tessier that gave the Bulldogs an early 3-0 lead just three minutes and 25 seconds into the game.

The Apaches quickly regained possession and answered with a 3-play, 77-yard drive, highlighted by a 62-yard catch from wide receiver Terrance Naulings that moved Tyler into the red zone. The drive culminated with running back Lavarion "Tank" Logan punching in a six-yard touchdown run, followed by K Christian Baxter's extra point to give TJC a 7-3 lead with 10:41 remaining in the first quarter.

Navarro responded with a 6-play, 44-yard drive that stalled in TJC territory, settling for a 37-yard field goal from Tessier to cut Tyler's lead to one point, 7-6, with 7:40 left in the first quarter.

Later in the first, Navarro fielded a punt and advanced into TJC territory, reaching a first down at the Apache's 28-yard line, but with 1:20 left in the quarter, TJC linebacker William Cornelson came up big with an interception, returning it to Navarro's 30-yard line and putting the Apaches in great scoring position.

To start the second quarter, TJC K Christian Baxter lined up for a 40-yard field goal to cap off the drive following the forced turnover. However, the snap was high, preventing the Apaches from getting the attempt off and turning the ball over to Navarro at the Bulldogs' 23-yard line.

On the first play after the turnover, Tyler defensive back Jayden Lawton broke up a pass that deflected perfectly into the hands of LB Darion White. The interception gave TJC the ball back at their 35-yard line, putting them in a strong position to add more points on the board.

Tyler attempted another field goal, this time from 54 yards, but the kick came up about a yard short, once again turning the ball over on downs to Navarro with 13:13 left in the first half.

With 6:19 remaining in the first half, Navarro finished off a 3-play, 99-yard drive, by QB Ryan Shackleton connecting with WR Tim Burns on a slant for a 54-yard touchdown reception. K Haden Tessier's extra point gave the Bulldogs control of a 13-7 lead.

Tyler threw a punch right back by way of a 6-play, 69-yard drive, capped by QB Tre Guerra connecting with tight end Lonnie Johnson for a touchdown. Baxter's extra point gave the Apaches a 14-13 lead with 3:31 left in the first half.

Tyler would go on to take their 14-13 lead into the halfway point.

Neither team scored in the second half until Navarro strung together a 12-play, 46-yard drive that consumed valuable clock. The drive ended with Tessier's third field goal of the game, a 37-yarder, to put the Bulldogs back in front, 16-14, with 2:18 left in the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, Navarro extended their lead to two scores when RB Clay Thevenin ended a 5-play, 52-yard drive with a touchdown run on the goal line. The score gave the Bulldogs a 23-14 lead with 13:51 left.

Things seemed to be slipping away for the Apaches as they lined up to punt on fourth-and-6. But in a dramatic turn of events, TE Lonnie Johnson took a direct snap and sprinted 71 yards for a touchdown that stunned everyone in the stadium. Baxter's extra point pulled TJC within two points at 23-21 with 12:48 remaining, sparking new life and hope for the Apaches.

Navarro quickly answered with a 6-play, 60-yard drive, capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass from QB Mason Shorb to WR Shawn Brown. On the extra point, a high snap turned into a perfect play for Navarro, as Shackleton, the holder, connected with tight end Jeremiah Venson for a successful 2-point conversion that gave the Bulldogs a 31-21 lead with 9:33 left in the game.

TJC would go on to compile a 6-play, 73-yard drive, capped by RB Lavarion "Tank" Logan's second touchdown of the day. Christian Baxter's extra point made it a one-score game again, 31-28, with 3:05 remaining. However, it was too little, too late for Tyler, as Navarro held on to secure the 31-28 victory to win the SWJCFC title.

The Apache offense totaled 507 yards of offense, including a career-high 361 passing yards from QB Tre Guerra. TE Lonnie Johnson racked up 133 all-purpose yards (62 receiving, 71 rushing) and two touchdowns (one receiving and one rushing), while wide receiver Terrance Naulings hauled in six passes for 177 yards.

As the Apaches await the outcome of the remaining games across the nation, their postseason fate remains uncertain, but their season's resilience has left them poised for whatever comes next.