Gold Rush: Run Game Dominates as Apaches Topple NEO 45-29

TYLER, Texas – Apaches Bryce Burgess rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tyler Junior College Football team past Northeast Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) 45-29 on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The Apaches improved to 4-0 on the year, and 2-0 in conference play. NEO fell to 0-4 overall, and 0-2 in conference play. 

The first half started exactly as the Apaches had envisioned, with two touchdown drives putting TJC up 14-0 by the start of the second quarter.

After a couple of stops and two long touchdown drives, the Golden Norsemen cut the deficit to 17-13 heading into halftime.

In the second half, NEO continued their defensive momentum on TJC's opening drive, forcing a strip sack on Apache quarterback Tre Guerra. The Golden Norsemen turned the takeaway into a touchdown, marking the first time all season the Apaches trailed in a game.

TJC answered immediately, with Guerra connecting with Gentz Hillburn on a 20-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead at 24-20. NEO responded with a six-minute drive that ended in a field goal, narrowing the margin to 24-23.

From there, TJC's offense and defense took control, scoring 21 unanswered points before an NEO touchdown late in the fourth quarter made the final score 45-29.