NAIA Recap

Wayland Baptist Pioneers (3-4, 2-3)

Last Week: WBU allowed 21 points in the first quarter and never recovered as they lost 42-7 on the road to Lyon last Saturday. Quarterback Mitchell Parsley completed 15-of-30 passes for 156 yards with two interceptions. Running back Jerrell Peterson gained 87 yards on 19 carries to lead the rushing attack while Jaden Fanner led the Pioneers defense with four tackles, three solo, and two sacks.

The Verdict: The Pioneers were unable to repeat with another road victory last week. WBU has two of its three remaining regular-season games at home but none of the remaining games will be easy wins for the Pioneers.

This Week: WBU returns home to play Oklahoma Panhandle State on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Texas Wesleyan Rams (2-6, 2-4)

Last Week: Texas Wesleyan fell behind by 45 points at halftime and were unable to recover in a 69-7 defeat on the road to No. 22 Langston last Saturday. The Rams offense struggled all afternoon and was only able to gain 107 total yards on 59 plays. TXWES was led by wide receiver Brandon Rolfe who gained 86 yards and a touchdown on only two receptions. Dylan Pettway led the defense with six tackles, five solo, and 1.5 tackles for loss.

The Verdict: The Rams faced a tough challenge on the road against an angry Langston team that was coming off a tough loss. TXWES has two games remaining in the regular season with both games at home. This week will be a tough test for the Rams.

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

Texas College Steers (1-6, 1-5)

Last Week: Texas College scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to earn a big 24-12 win at home over SAGU last Saturday afternoon. Running back Carlos Mosby led the offense with 171 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Keyshawn Henderson caught two passes for 76 yards and a touchdown for the Steers. Montel Barree had a great game with nine tackles, six solo, 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.

The Verdict: The Steers needed a big win at home, and they got one last week. The next two weeks could be tough for the Steers as they will need to rely on Mosby and a good running game to control the clock for a chance at an upset.

This Week: Texas College concludes a two-game homestand as they host Bethel College at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Southwestern Assemblies of God Lions (0-7, 0-5)

Last Week: A 14-point fourth quarter was too much for SAGU last Saturday as they fell 24-12 on the road to Texas College. Quarterback Brylen Watson completed 16-of-38 passes for 154 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Michael Bledsoe gained 70 yards rushing on 16 carries while Keandre Belcher led the Lions defense with five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

The Verdict: This has been a common theme all season for the Lions as it was once again one bad quarter that led to a tough loss. The last three games of the regular season for SAGU will not be easy with the only bright spot being two home games.

This Week: SAGU returns home to play No. 22 Langston on Saturday at 2 p.m.

NJCAA Recap

No. 3 Kilgore Rangers (8-1, 7-1)

Last Week: Kilgore scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime then was able to convert for a game-winning touchdown in the second overtime to secure a 34-28 win on the road over Tyler. Wide receiver Kevon Latulas caught eight passes for 106 yards and added 81 yards rushing and a touchdown on nine carries while quarterback Jacob Frazier completed 19-of-26 passes for 183 yards and two interceptions. Earnest Crownover added 79 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Keith Harris led the Rangers defense with 13 tackles, nine solo, one sack and forced a fumble.

The Verdict: The Rangers secured the top spot in the SWJCFC playoffs and have home-field advantage as long as they win. Kilgore also kept its national championship game hopes alive with the win. While they have secured a bowl game, Kilgore has much higher hopes and needs to win its next two games.

This Week: Kilgore will host New Mexico Military Institute in the conference semifinals at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

No. 8 Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals (7-2, 5-2)

Last Week: TVCC was able to score just enough touchdowns while the Cardinals defense held Navarro to field goals at critical times in a big 45-44 win on the road over the Bulldogs last Saturday. Nate Davis gained 130 yards rushing and a touchdown on 17 carries while quarterback Jeremy Hunt completed 24-of-41 passes for 274 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Marques Williams led the TVCC defense with 14 tackles, seven solo, one tackle for loss and broke up three passes.

The Verdict: The Cardinals earned a big win and had already secured the No. 2 seed for the playoffs set to begin this week. After winning a classic against Navarro last week, the Cardinals travel home for another meeting with the Bulldogs.

This Week: TVCC will host Navarro at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon in the conference semifinals.

Navarro Bulldogs (4-5, 3-4)

Last Week: A late touchdown was the difference last Saturday as Navarro lost a tough 45-44 game at home to No. 11 Trinity Valley. Quarterback Parker McNeil completed 30-of-56 passes for 465 yards and four touchdowns. Shadeed Ahmed was the leading receiver with six catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Abraham Beauplan led the Bulldogs defense with 18 tackles, 11 solo, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a sack.

The Verdict: The Bulldogs were able to secure a playoff berth through the tiebreakers and earn another chance against TVCC this week. However, this week the game is on the road for Navarro, but the Bulldogs offense and Parker McNeil cannot be counted out.

This Week: Navarro travels to play No. 8 Trinity Valley in the SWJCFC semifinals Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.

Cisco Wranglers (5-4, 3-4)

Last Week: Cisco was unable to contain the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College offense last Saturday as they suffered a 48-30 loss on the road. The Wranglers allowed 485 yards of total offense to the Norsemen including 297 yards rushing. The loss is devastating for Cisco as they lost a tiebreaker for the playoffs. The Wranglers would have secured a playoff berth with a win.

The Verdict: The Wranglers were in a great position to earn a playoff spot but lost their last two games to finish the regular season and missed the playoffs. Cisco is the only team in the country to defeat No. 5 Kilgore but was unable to finish when they needed it the most.

This Week: Cisco College has concluded its season.

Tyler Apaches (4-5, 3-4)

Last Week: TJC held a 14-point lead entering the fourth quarter but were unable to hold on as they fell 34-28 in double overtime at home to No. 5 Kilgore last Saturday. Quarterback David Johnson completed 13-of-21 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown for the Apaches. Chris Sanders, Grid Isadore and Javontavius Mosley each recorded 11 tackles to lead the Tyler defense.

The Verdict: The Apaches put up a valiant effort to end the season as they faced three straight weeks of must-win games but were unable to hold on against a tough Rangers team. TJC played without its starting quarterback and still held a lead entering the fourth quarter. This was a good end to the season for first-year head coach Thomas Rocco to build the Apaches.

This Week: Tyler has concluded its season.

Blinn Buccaneers (4-5, 2-5)

Last Week: Blinn suffered another heartbreak last Saturday at New Mexico Military Institute scored in the final seconds to complete a 45-42 comeback win over the Buccaneers. Quarterback Brock Landis completed 17-of-39 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Danny Gray had an incredible game with 169 yards and a touchdown on five receptions. Ben Langston led the Blinn defense with 10 tackles and one tackle for loss.

The Verdict: The Buccaneers season took a turn at midseason as they finished with four straight losses which followed three consecutive wins. The season is disappointing for a Blinn team that was trying to build off of a bowl game win last year.

This Week: Blinn College has concluded its season.