TVCC shuts down Tyler, races to 42-10 win

(Travis Tapley photo via @TVCCSports)

TYLER - The Trinity Valley Community College defense shut down Tyler Friday, leading the Cardinals to a 42-10 SWJCFC road win.

The No. 10 ranked Cardinals improved their record to 2-0 while the Apaches fell to 0-2.

"A tip of the cap to our defensive coaching staff and the game plan they put together," said Head Coach Sherard Poteete, "and our kids on defense executing the plan."

How dominant was the Cardinal defense? They held the Apaches to just 27 yards rushing and forced them into nine punts and three turnovers. TVCC got interceptions by Ian Massey and BJ Sculark Jr., plus a fumble recovery by Kamaurja Kenney.

In the first eight quarters of the season, the defense has given up just one touchdown.

"The defense is playing really well," said Poteete. "Even when they are on short fields they just bow their necks and they don't give up any ground."

And though it took the offense a little bit to get going, they showed the ability to put points on the board in a hurry. The Cardinals scored three times in 4:33 of the second quarter behind a 62-yard punt return for TD by Joedrick Lewis sandwiched by a 4-yard run by Cordrick Dunn and a 10-yard run by Cameron Collier.

That gave the Cardinals a 21-0 lead and they never looked back.

The offense did struggle with consistency, turning the ball over twice on interceptions, but still amassed 421 yards and five touchdowns.

Coach Poteete went deep down his roster, with 20 different players recording either a carry or a reception. TVCC also had four quarterbacks get reps.

Andrew Henry led the Cardinals with 118 total yards from scrimmage (79 rushing, 39 receiving). Matt Morrissey threw a 6-yard TD pass to Jamon Mack and ran for a 1-yard touchdown.

The Cardinal scoring was finished up on an 18-yard bullet from Tucker Yarbrough to Justin Cain.

The offensive line was instrumental in the offense's success Friday, giving the quarterbacks time and opening holes.

"In my opinion, we've got five Division 1 starters up there," said Poteete. "We're going to keep running the ball behind those guys."

Tyler got a second quarter 25-yard touchdown pass from Brendon Strickland to Rowry Bailey. They also got a 25-yard field goal from Pedro Yeverino.

The Cardinals will be home for the first time this year Thursday, April 8, to take on Rezolution Prep Academy.

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