NAIA Recap

Wayland Baptist Pioneers (2-3, 1-2)

Last Week: WBU had a bye last week.

The Verdict: The Pioneers enjoyed a week off to rest and heal some wounds. WBU was also able to use the extra week to prepare for a big game on the road this Saturday against their conference rival.

This Week: WBU travels to play Southwestern Assemblies of God on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Texas Wesleyan Rams (1-5, 1-3)

Last Week: Texas Wesleyan allowed a touchdown with one second remaining in regulation and was unable to score in overtime as they dropped a tough 34-28 decision in double overtime to Oklahoma Panhandle State. Wide receiver Brandon Rolfe led the Rams offense with 192 yards receiving and a touchdown on six catches while quarterback Avery Childs completed 11-of-28 passes for 202 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Jermarcus Jones led the rushing attack with 58 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries. Dylan Pettway led the TXWES defense with 11 tackles, eight solo, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

The Verdict: The Rams nearly pulled off their second straight impressive win over a tough conference opponent. The game was tight throughout and this is another building block for the Rams to use moving forward.

This Week: TXWES returns home to play Texas College at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Southwestern Assemblies of God Lions (0-5, 0-3)

Last Week: A 17-point third quarter was too much for SAGU to overcome as they dropped a 38-22 decision to Lyon last Saturday afternoon. Justin Allen gained 72 yards rushing and a touchdown on seven carries. Quarterback Garry Powell completed 16-of-26 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown while Landon Moon completed 8-of-12 passes for 123 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Jordaan Coleman led the Lions defense with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and forced a fumble for SAGU.

The Verdict: The Lions continue to play each team close this season, but one quarter has been a problem in the majority of their losses. SAGU will continue to try and put it together this week against its conference rival.

This Week: SAGU concludes a two-game homestand when they host Wayland Baptist on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Texas College Steers (0-5, 0-4)

Last Week: No. 20 Ottawa-Arizona was too much for Texas College as they ran away from the Steers with a 76-21 win last Saturday afternoon. Quarterback Decorie King completed 17-of-35 passes for 215 yards with four interceptions. Carlos Mosby gained 79 yards rushing and a touchdown on 16 carries while Dyamond Woods caught five passes for 57 yards. The Steers defense was led by Devante’ Gabriel who registered 13 tackles, nine solo.

The Verdict: The Steers ran into one of the hottest teams in the country and a team that is a real contender for the Sooner Athletic Conference title this year in OUAZ. Texas College will try to earn a win this week on the road.

This Week: Texas College travels to play Texas Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

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NJCAA Recap

No. 5 Kilgore Rangers (6-1, 5-1)

Last Week: Kilgore had a bye last week.

The Verdict: The Rangers are in a good position as they can secure a spot in the SWJCFC playoffs with a win this week and could secure the top spot in the playoffs with a win this week and a loss by Cisco College. The Rangers are facing a reeling and desperate team this week.

This Week: Kilgore will host Blinn College at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

No. 11 Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals (5-2, 4-2)

Last Week: TVCC had no problem last Saturday in a 70-7 win over an overmatched Rezolution Prep Academy team. Quarterback Jeremy Hunt completed 20-of-26 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns. Deshon Moreaux caught four passes for 117 yards and a touchdown while Ja’Quan Tillis was the leading rusher with 42 yards on seven carries. Race Moser led the Cardinals defense with nine tackles, two quarterback hurries and recovered a fumble.

The Verdict: The Cardinals could wrap up a spot in the conference playoffs this week depending on results from other teams in the conference. TVCC only has one conference game remaining and it could be a huge game for both teams.

This Week: TVCC concludes a four-game homestand when they host Air Force Prep on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

No. 18 Cisco Wranglers (5-2, 3-2)

Last Week: Cisco kicker Gage Urias hit a last-second field goal to lift the Wranglers past No. 20 Blinn 47-44 last Saturday night. Quarterback Blain Kruemcke completed 19-of-35 passes for 310 yards with three touchdowns and an interception while running back Greg Garner gained 158 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Tyrin Smith led the receivers with 103 yards and a touchdown on only three receptions. John Blunt led the defense with eight tackles, seven solo, broke up a pass and forced a fumble.

The Verdict: The Wranglers put themselves in a good spot in the SWJCFC standings with two games remaining in the regular season. However, Cisco has only a one-game lead over the teams in fifth place in the standings. The Wranglers have two tough games remaining.

This Week: Cisco College returns home to play Tyler Junior College on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.

Navarro Bulldogs (4-4, 3-3)

Last Week: Navarro went on the road and dominated from the start last Saturday as they defeated New Mexico Military Institute 47-10. Quarterback Parker McNeil was brilliant once again as he completed 24-of-34 passes for 317 yards and five touchdowns. Devin Morrison led the receivers with five receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown while Keaton Dudik led the Bulldogs rushing attack with 98 yards on 13 carries.

The Verdict: The Bulldogs currently own the fourth spot in the conference playoff race but could be tied with three other teams heading into the final week of the regular season depending on this week’s outcomes. Navarro’s last game is at home against one of the top defensive teams in the country in No. 10 Trinity Valley.

This Week: Navarro has a bye this week.

Blinn Buccaneers (4-3, 2-3)

Last Week: A last-second field goal was the difference last Saturday night as Blinn dropped a tough 47-44 decision to Cisco College. Quarterback Brock Landis completed 27-of-45 passes for 419 yards and six touchdowns. Trea Shropshire had an incredible game with six receptions for 205 yards and three touchdowns while Xavier Hutchinson added 103 yards and two touchdowns on nine catches. Darius VanDyke led the defense with 10 tackles, one quarterback hurry and broke up two passes.

The Verdict: Two straight losses in conference have the Buccaneers in a tough position with only two weeks left in the regular season. Blinn must win its remaining two games to have any chance at the playoffs beginning this week when they face the top team in the conference on the road.

This Week: Blinn College travels to play No. 5 Kilgore at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Tyler Apaches (3-4, 2-3)

Last Week: Chris Sanders returned an interception 68 yards for a touchdown to lead Tyler to a big 26-20 win over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M last Saturday. Tyler struggled on offense all game and totaled 206 yards of offense led by quarterback Colby Kizzee who completed 7-of-18 passes for 48 yards and an interception while adding 58 yards rushing on 12 carries. The Apaches defense was huge as Derrick McClendon had a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter and the Apaches registered a huge safety in the fourth quarter.

The Verdict: The Apaches kept their playoff hopes alive with a win last week as they are currently one game out of the final playoff spot with two games remaining in the regular season. Tyler must win its remaining games to have any hopes of a playoff berth.

This Week: Tyler travels to play No. 18 Cisco at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.