Apaches Open 2024 Football Season Thursday at Dodge City

Livestream link for Game:  

https://goconqs.com/sports/2018/8/17/live-video?bfplayvid=1120480

By Chase Upton

TYLER, Texas – Tyler Junior College's football team will open their 2024 season this Thursday at 7 p.m. as they pack their bags and take the trip down to Memorial Stadium in Dodge City, Kansas to take on Dodge City Community College.

 TJC is coming off a season where they went 5-4, all four of their losses were to opponents ranked in the top 15 of last year's National Junior College Athletic Association Division I rankings. This year, the Apaches are primed for another thrilling fall, as their nine-game regular season schedule again features four teams ranked in the top 15.

TJC's season opener will be no walk in the park as Dodge City is coming off an impressive 8-3 season that was capped off by a dominating 37-6 win over No.15 New Mexico Military in the Xcel Energy Wool Bowl. TJC is already getting votes in the NJCAA DI top 15 and will look to prove themselves by picking up a huge road win more than eight hours away from home.

Star Watch

On offense, the Apaches are led by some familiar faces including some returning starters from last year in sophomore wide receiver Terrance Naulings, redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Tony Lynn, sophomore OL Tavon Harris who just picked up an offer from The University of Akron earlier this month, Redshirt sophomore OL Xavier Werrell who's committed to Liberty University, redshirt sophomore all-American kicker Christian Baxter, and redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Thomas. Thomas, who appeared in 6 games last season where he amounted 1,392 total yards, 11 total TDs, and zero interceptions will start under center in week one. On the defensive side of the ball TJC is led by sophomore defensive back Jayveus Lyons, sophomore DB Sam Fongang, who just picked up an offer earlier this month from The University of Hawaii, and redshirt sophomore DE Ziggy Loa who secured a Division I offer of his own from Utah State earlier this week.

New Kids on The Block

While the returners will undoubtedly play a huge role in the team's success this year, what could separate this TJC squad from the rest of the teams in the country are the new faces in town. The Apaches picked up two stars from Texas state championship teams in wide receiver Hawk Patrick-Daniels of Aledo and offensive tackle Josiah Drake of Duncanville and added two stud SMU transfers, tight end Lonnie Johnson, and cornerback Jayden Lawton. Lawton is committed to The University of Houston and according to 247sports composite rankings, is the nation's sixth-best prospect and the number one CB in not only the state but the entire country.