NAIA Recap

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

Last Week: WBU scored the first 17 points of the game last Saturday as they won a big 24-14 decision over rival Southwestern Assemblies of God. Wide receiver Brayln Kirby had an incredible game as he caught five passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Mitchell Parsley completed 14-of-27 passes for 202 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Manny Arguijo led the WBU defense with eight tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

The Verdict: The Pioneers earned a much-needed victory on the road over their rival last week. WBU will have the opportunity to begin a winning streak this week but they remain on the road this week.

This Week: WBU concludes a two-game road trip on Saturday afternoon against Lyon at 2 p.m.

Texas Wesleyan Rams (2-5, 2-3)

Last Week: Texas Wesleyan rolled off 28 points in the second quarter to defeat Texas College 61-24 last Saturday afternoon. Quarterback Avery Childs completed 17-of-32 passes for 269 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. Brandon Rolfe gained 93 yards and a touchdown on four receptions while Jermarcus Jones added 57 yards rushing and a touchdown on six carries. Devin Griffin led the Rams defense with eight tackles and an interception.

The Verdict: The Rams have shown great improvement in the last three years since resurrecting their football program. TXWES won last week’s game convincingly and will enjoy a bye week before playing a tough Arizona Christian team.

This Week: TXWES has a bye this week.

Southwestern Assemblies of God Lions (0-6, 0-4)

Last Week: A 14-point first quarter was the culprit this time for SAGU as they dropped a tough 24-14 decision to rival Wayland Baptist. Quarterback Garry Powell completed 23-of-47 passes for 176 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Reginald Agyei caught seven passes for 58 yards while Keontrey Jackson added eight receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. Torionte Williams recorded nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and recovered a fumble.

The Verdict: One quarter has doomed the Lions in most of their games this season. They will have their best opportunity for a win this week but will need to remain focused on the road and play a complete game.

This Week: SAGU travels to play Texas College at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Texas College Steers (0-6, 0-5)

Last Week: A 28-point second quarter was too much for Texas College to overcome as they fell 61-24 on the road to Texas Wesleyan last Saturday afternoon. Quarterback Decorie King completed 15-of-30 passes for 169 yards and three interceptions. Running back Carlos Mosby was outstanding as he gained 112 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Edward McDonald had an incredible game for the Steers defense with five tackles, three sacks and an interception.

The Verdict: The Steers have had a tough season and ran into a team last week that is improving with each game. TC has possibly its best remaining chance to win a game this week as they try to defend their home field.

This Week: Texas College returns home to play Southwestern Assemblies of God at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

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NJCAA Recap

No. 5 Kilgore Rangers (7-1, 6-1)

Last Week: Kilgore came out of their bye week firing on all cylinders and sent a strong message to the country with an impressive 49-7 win over Blinn College. The Rangers scored the first 35 points of the game as the Rangers defense held the potent Buccaneers offense to only 237 total yards. Antonio Brooks led the defensive effort with two interceptions. Earnest Crownover led the offense with 85 yards rushing on six carries.

The Verdict: The Rangers have clinched the top spot in the playoffs and will have home-field advantage when the conference playoffs begin in two weeks. Kilgore will need to remain focused this week as they play their final game of the regular season.

This Week: Kilgore travels to play Tyler Junior College at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

No. 10 Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals (6-2, 4-2)

Last Week: TVCC used a big third quarter to gain separation on their way to a 52-24 win over Air Force Prep last Saturday. Nate Davis led the Cardinals offense with 161 yards rushing and three touchdowns on only six carries. Quarterback Jeremy Hunt completed 17-of-26 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers. Christian Owens and Keshawn Jackson each recorded five tackles for the TVCC defense.

The Verdict: The Cardinals have a big game this week as a win would guarantee a home game in the conference semifinals. TVCC will also have a big say in who makes the playoffs in their game this week as they face a team desperate for a win.

This Week: TVCC travels to play Navarro at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Cisco Wranglers (5-3, 3-3)

Last Week: Cisco was unable to gain any traction on offense last Saturday as they dropped a 17-0 decision to Tyler Junior College. Blain Kruemcke completed 17-of-34 passes for 167 yards with two interceptions. Gabe McCook led the receivers with eight receptions for 72 yards as the Wranglers offense only managed 57 total yards rushing in the game. The Cisco defense held the Apaches to 62 total yards passing but allowed 244 yards rushing.

The Verdict: The Wranglers are now in a tough position with only one week left in the regular season as they are tied with two other teams for the final two playoff spots with the three other teams only one game behind in the playoff race. The scenarios are many, but a Cisco win this week would ease a lot of fears.

This Week: Cisco College travels to play Northeastern Oklahoma A&M on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.

Navarro Bulldogs (4-4, 3-3)

Last Week: Navarro had a bye last week.

The Verdict: The Bulldogs are one of three teams tied for the final two playoff spots heading into the final week of the regular season. Navarro needs a win this week as six teams conceivably still have a chance at earning a playoff spot with the Bulldogs having a one-game advantage over three of the teams.

This Week: Navarro will host No. 11 Trinity Valley on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.

Tyler Apaches (4-4, 3-3)

Last Week: The TJC defense stood tall last week as the Apaches won a huge 17-0 victory on the road over No. 18 Cisco last Saturday. K’Vonte Jackson gained 81 yards rushing on 13 carries while Kevin Thompson added 70 yards rushing and a touchdown on seven carries. Trenton Kennedy added a rushing touchdown as the Apaches rolled up 244 total rushing yards against the Wranglers.

The Verdict: The Apaches remain in a must-win situation in the final week of the regular season as they are part of a three-way tie for the final two playoff spots with three more teams only a game behind. The big question this week for TJC will be the health of their quarterback who left late in the game with an injury.

This Week: Tyler returns home to host No. 5 Kilgore College at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Blinn Buccaneers (4-4, 2-4)

Last Week: Blinn fell behind by 21 points in the beginning of the game and never recovered as they dropped a critical 49-7 contest to No. 5 Kilgore last Saturday. Quarterback Brock Landis completed 18-of-39 passes for 147 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Kadrian Hammond caught the lone touchdown pass for the Buccaneers who were held to only 237 total yards by the Rangers defense.

The Verdict: The Buccaneers have now lost three straight SWJCFC games which have severely diminished a once-promising season. Blinn is not completely eliminated from the playoffs but will need too much help to realistically make the postseason this year.

This Week: Blinn College concludes a two-game road trip as they visit New Mexico Military Institute at 5 p.m. on Saturday.