TVCC drops final regular season game to Kilgore, 40-36

(Cam Camper makes another incredible catch against Kilgore Saturday. — Travis Tapley Photo)

This one hurt.

The TVCC Cardinals had a chance to beat Kilgore Saturday at Bruce Field, but threw an interception in the end zone on a trick play with just :13 seconds left to fall, 40-36.

The loss means the Cardinals finish the regular season with a 5-2 conference record while Kilgore improves to 6-1.

The Cardinals struggled with mistakes in all phases Saturday. The defense gave up four touchdowns of 40-plus yards, the offense turned the ball over twice, and special teams gave up a safety after allowing a blocked punt.

But even with all the mistakes, the Cardinals gave themselves an opportunity to win with some big time performances in the second half.

TVCC trailed by a touchdown going into the fourth, 33-26, but tied things up two plays into the quarter when Cam Camper took a wide receiver screen from Matt Morrissey 6 yards for a touchdown. Cardinal fans were electrified when Camper somersaulted into the end zone.

The Morrisey-Camper connection was on fire in the second half, with the pair gaining 88 yards and a touchdown on five completions.

The defense held the Rangers to three-and-out on the following possession and the offense responded with a 12-play drive that took 5:19 off the clock and ended with a go ahead 33-yard field goal by Christopher Esqueda. TVCC converted two 4th downs during the drive.

Things were looking good for the Cardinals when the defense forced the Rangers into a 3rd and 10 from their own 20 on the next series. TVCC had the lead with under 6:00 remaining and Kilgore had gained a total of just 2 yards in the quarter.

But the Rangers hit for their fifth big play of the game, this time an 80-yard touchdown bomb from Malcolm Mays to Willie McCoy to take a 40-36 lead.

The Cardinals didn't give up. After TVCC turned the ball over on downs and Kilgore punted, the Cardinals were ready for one final drive. Morrissey connected with Korey King three times, the last on fourth down, to move the ball to the Kilgore 30. A couple of short runs were followed by Morrissey hitting Camper for 11 yards and Cordrick Dunn for 10, giving the Cardinals a first and goal on the Kilgore 5 with :19 seconds left.

As time was running down, the Cardinals tried to surprise Kilgore with a Statue of Liberty, quarterback throwback. The Rangers were ready, however, and intercepted the pass in the end zone effectively ending the game.

Cordrick Dunn was a workhorse for the Cardinals Saturday, gaining 111 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries and 65 yards on seven receptions.

Korey King scored on an 8-yard run and Morrissey had a 21-yard touchdown to Jordan Davis.

In addition, Christopher Esqueda hit on three field goals (39, 28, 33).

The Rangers scored on a runs of 42 and 2 yards, and pass plays of 41, 42, and 80 yards.

Kilgore also forced a safety on a blocked punt and hit a 35-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

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