Football Gets Road Win Over #12 TVCC

Article Courtesy of Jimmy Hicks, Tyler Morning Telegraph

ATHENS — Quarterback Andrew Fernandez proved to be a steadying force for the TJC offense and the defense harassed Trinity Valley quarterback Elijah Walker all night as the Apaches upset No. 12 Trinity Valley, 37-24, on a rainy Saturday night at Bruce Field.

Tyler Junior College coach Danny Palmer's crew has improved each week after a opening night 32-point loss three weeks ago. Last week, the Apaches fell to No. 6 Blinn by seven and in third game of the season the Apaches won to go to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in Southwest Junior College Football Conference play.

TVCC falls to 1-2 and 1-1.

Fernandez, a freshman from El Paso, eluded the Cardinals rush and made several gains on scrambles, rushing for 30 yards on seven tries. He hit on 8 of 17 pass attempts for 159 yards with touchdown passes of 70 yards to Justin Bailey and 15 yards to Demias Jimerson.

The Apaches also got their running game in gear, totaling 311 yards. K'Vonte Jackson, a sophomore from Angleton, rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. He had TD runs of 66 and 18 yards.

Kevon Thompson, a freshman from Brownsboro, added some spice to the ground game, rushing for 86 yards on 15 totes. Also, Trenton Kennedy, a freshman from Cypress, scored on a 13-yard run and Blake Patterson booted a 45-yard field.

Patterson, a transfer from North Texas, provided the early spark as he went back to punt, but instead of kicking on fourth-and-4 he went straight up the middle behind his three up men and rambled 25 yards for a first down to the TVCC 37. Later, Kennedy topped off the drive with his TD and the momentum was with the Apaches.

Walker, a transfer from Louisiana Tech who became eligible after the Cardinals' first game with Snow (Utah), led TVCC with 8 of 22 passing attempts for 171 yards and two TD passes to Tyri'k Barnes for 30 and 34 yards.

He was picked off twice by Nate Dickey (sophomore, Huntsville) and Brennon Davis (sophomore, Grapevine).

In other SWJCFC scores Kilgore defeated New Mexico Military 21-19, Blinn downed Navarro 38-17 and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M edged Georgia Military 14-10.

TJC returns home Saturday, Sept. 15 to face Navarro College at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. It will be Belle Babes Night hosted by the Apache Belles.

Trinity Valley travels to Miami, Oklahoma to meet Northeastern Oklahoma A&M on Saturday, Sept. 15. Kickoff is 6 p.m.