NJCAA: Navarro Bulldogs hold off Tyler Apaches to advance to SWJCFC championship game
The Navarro College Bulldogs survived a determined challenge from the visiting Tyler Junior College Apaches, pulling out a 28–25 victory this past weekend in the NJCAA Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) semifinals in Corsicana, Texas, to secure a berth in the conference championship game.
The Bulldogs built an early lead, watched the Apaches battle back and then delivered when it mattered most, keeping their championship hopes alive in a game that went down to the wire.
Navarro strikes early
Navarro wasted little time taking control, scoring 14 unanswered points in the opening quarter.
But Tyler refused to go away.
The Apaches responded with 14 points of their own in the second quarter, sending the teams into halftime deadlocked at 14–14.
Neither offense managed to score in the third quarter, setting up a dramatic final 15 minutes with a championship berth hanging in the balance.
The Bulldogs finally broke through with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, while Tyler answered with 11 points to keep the pressure on until the finish.
Bulldogs deliver offensively
Quarterback TJ Tupou led the Navarro offense, completing 19 of 25 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns while adding a four-yard rushing score.
Tyvone Whitehead provided the biggest spark on the ground, rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries, including an explosive 89-yard run.
James Evans caught two passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, including a 65-yard reception, while Jaquon Brandon added four catches for 50 yards and another score.
The Bulldogs finished with 382 yards of total offense, including 212 rushing yards, averaging an impressive 7.3 yards per play.
Defense helps seal championship berth
Defensively, Nico Viveros delivered an outstanding performance, recording 12 total tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Torrall Stocker added an interception, while Nehemiah Borner contributed 10 tackles.
Despite committing 15 penalties for 145 yards, Navarro found enough answers to escape with the three-point victory.
The Bulldogs now travel to face the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals on Saturday, November 7, in the SWJCFC Championship Game.
After surviving a semifinal thriller, Navarro is just one victory away from a conference title.
