Apache Football Secures Top Seed and 500th Win with Dramatic Walk-Off
Tyler Junior College’s No.12 nationally ranked football team picked up a 16-13 victory over No.9 Kilgore College (5-2, 3-2) to crown the Apaches as the Southwest Junior College Football Conference regular season champions for the 2024 season.
This was a historic win for Apache football as they secured their 500th win in program history, remained undefeated in SWJCFC play at 6-0, improved to 6-2 overall, and clinched home-field advantage throughout the SWJCFC postseason.
With this loss, Kilgore drops to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in conference.
The Apache offense opened the scoring on their second drive. Just over six minutes into the game Quarterback Tre Guerra appeared to throw a bubble screen to wide receiver Terrance Naulings, but the play tricked the Kilgore defense to perfection. Naulings loaded up and delivered a perfect 30-yard throw into the hands of running back Lavarion “Tank” Logan for a 43-yard touchdown reception, and the extra point from kicker Christian Baxter gave TJC a 7-0 lead.
Over seven minutes later with 57 seconds left in the first quarter, Kilgore was putting together a nice drive and on 4th and goal from the 1-yard line finished off a 93-yard drive by fumbling the ball to the Apache defense.
The first play after the fumble QB Tre Guerra connected with WR Terrance Naulings for a 64-yard grab to put TJC in Kilgore territory. Tyler would gain some ground, but the 6-play, 80-yard drive would be stopped and finished with a 35-yard field goal from K Christian Baxter to give TJC a 10-0 lead with 12:44 remaining in the second quarter.
After the strong start, the Apaches experienced a setback when a poor snap on fourth down on Kilgore’s 40-yard line was mishandled and rolled to the opposite side of the field, putting Kilgore at TJC’s 28-yard line and giving the Ranger offense an opportunity to get on the board with 5:37 remaining in the first half.
Following the mistake, the Apache defense came on and was able to minimize damage from the bad snap, only allowing Kilgore to gain five yards in three plays and forcing K Anthony Monsivais to try a 41-yard FG. Monsivais nailed the attempt and made the score 10-3 in favor of the Apaches.
The Apaches would take their 10-3 lead to halftime.
After a sluggish start to the second half for both teams, the Apaches fumbled the ball with 8:23 left in the third quarter, handing Kilgore possession at TJC’s 22-yard line. This error put the Rangers in a perfect position to tie the game.
Kilgore advanced the ball to the goal line and on fourth and one again, this time with 4:59 remaining in the third quarter, the Rangers capitalized on the Tyler turnover. Running back Gary Maddox punched in a 1-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 10-10 after the PAT by Monsivais.
This one would head into the final period knotted at 10 a piece.
Under two minutes into the fourth Kilgore took their first lead of the game, putting together a six-play, 35-yard drive that stalled at the 13-yard line. Anthony Monsivais then kicked in a 30-yard field goal, giving Kilgore a 13-10 advantage.
After a slow 10-minute stint for both teams, Tyler scratched and clawed to move down the field and tie the game. Christian Baxter came through with a 22-yard field goal, tying the score at 13 with 2:08 left in regulation.
Less than 20 seconds in game time later, defensive back Kendall Marks came up clutch with a game-changing interception at Kilgore’s 22-yard line.
With five seconds left on the clock and the game hanging in the balance, K Christian Baxter stepped up and delivered a stunning 40-yard field goal through the uprights with zeros on the clock. In breathtaking, buzzer-beating fashion, Tyler Legacy High School graduate K Christian Baxter gave Tyler the 16-13 win and made TJC the SWJCFC regular season champions for the first time since 2003.
When asked how it felt to clinch the SWJCFC regular season title, Head Coach Tanner Jacobson humbly replied, “I’m happy for the kids, but the season’s not over.” While this marks Jacobson’s first conference regular season championship as a head coach at TJC, he knows that the Apaches still have unfinished business in their 2024 campaign.
Christian Baxter led the way in the win over Kilgore, going a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals (35, 22, 40), and 1-for-1 on PATs. RB Bryce Burgess powered the ground game with 78 yards on 28 carries and chipped in 2 receptions for 27 yards to give him 105 total yards. WR Terrance Naulings hauled in 3 catches for 85 yards to help QB Tre Guerra set a new career high with 201 passing yards. With the 44-yard passing TD by Naulings, the Apache offense set a new season-high in passing yards with 245.
Tyler will take on Navarro College (4-2, 3-2) at Community National Bank & Trust Stadium in Corsicana, Texas at 1 p.m. Nov. 2 for their final regular season game of 2024. After the regular season, the Apaches are set to compete in the SWJCFC semifinal at 1 p.m. on Nov. 16 at Christus TMF Rose Stadium, with their opponent to be determined after next week’s games. A victory would secure their spot in the SWJCFC championship, which will take place at Rose Stadium on Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. as the Apaches continue their march through the postseason.
Photos By Ashley Canel