Special Teams Power TVCC Past Tyler, 28-27
By Michael V. Hannigan
TYLER -- It came down to special teams.
After 59 minutes of fighting on the Tyler Rose Stadium turf Saturday night, the Tyler Apaches lined up for a 51-yard field goal attempt to beat TVCC. They never got to try. A fumbled snap turned into a 17-yard loss, ensuring the Cardinals a 28-27 win in their SWJCFC opener.
It was a fitting finish to the game. Consider these plays:
-- After the first possession of the game, TVCC punted to Tyler's Tray Taylor, who raced 70 yards for a TD only for it to be called back for a penalty.
-- TVCC blocked Tyler's first extra point attempt in the first quarter, which eventually became the margin of victory.
-- Tyler turned around on the very next possession and blocked a TVCC 29-yard field goal attempt.
-- Tyler's Connor Clay (an Athens High School grad) recovered a muffed punt after a three-and-out to give the Apache's new life. That play led to an eventual touchdown and gave Tyler a 13-7 lead.
-- Tyler took control in the third quarter, extending its lead to 20-7 and dominating time of possession 12:35 to 2:25. But on the last play of the quarter, Cardinal punter Jake Gaster mishandled a low snap, looked up and realized there was nobody around and scrambled 38 yards for a first down. That play sparked TVCC, which scored less than a minute later to cut Tyler's lead to 20-14.
-- After the Apaches had answered to extend the lead back to 27-14, Channing Canada took the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a Cardinal touchdown to make it 27-20.
-- Finally, with Tyler backed up to its own 8 yard line, Apache punter William Yurkunas boomed a 92-yard punt that wound up as a touchback.
The Cardinals took that possession 80 yards for the winning score, helped by QB Darion Peace's only four completions of the second half. The big play -- TVCC's longest from the line of scrimmage -- was a 55-yard connection with Hymond Drinkard.
TVCC finished the drive with a 1-yard Quincy Thompson touchdown run. Thompson was the workhorse for the Cardinals all game long, picking up 122 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.
The Cardinals will be on the road next week to take on Cisco College. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
SCORING SUMMARY
TVCC - 1Q, 7:23 - Hymond Drinkard 7-yard run. Jake Gaster kick. -- 7-0
TYLER - 1Q, 6:26 - Gabe Adams 77-yard run. Kick blocked. -- 7-6
TYLER - 2Q, 7:17 - Coleby Hamm 3-yard run. Aaron Gallegos kick. -- 13-7
TYLER - 3Q, 7:56 - Coleby Hamm 5-yard run. Aaron Gallegos kick. -- 20-7
TVCC - 4Q, 14:02 - Quincy Thompson 2-yard run. Jake Gaster kick. -- 20-14
TYLER - 4Q, 12:37 - Dontavius Burrows 29-yard reception from Deniquez Dunn. Aaron Gallegos kick. -- 27-14
TVCC - 4Q, 12:22 - Channing Canada 92-yard kickoff return. Jake Gaster kick. -- 27-21
TVCC - 4Q, 8:13 - Quincy Thompson 1-yard run. Jake Gaster kick. -- 28-27
These posts are free thanks to Hannigan Media sponsors Athens Screen Printing, Tinsley Law & Title, Gibson Pharmacy, R&R Lawn Specialist, Gilbert Electric, Hunan Buffet, and Holt Wrecker.
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