The fourth-ranked Cardinals put on a show in memory of Bryce Cook and Tyler Spillman.
First honoring their fallen teammates with a dramatic march onto the field and then a moment of silence prior to the coin toss on a sun-soaked Saturday afternoon at Bruce Field, the Cardinals punctuated a sad week with a 55-6 domination of ninth-ranked Tyler Junior College.
With the win, the Cardinals kept their hopes for an unprecedented fifth straight SWJCFC regular season title alive, improving to 4-1 in conference play. The Cardinals are 6-1 on the year.
Next up for the Cardinals is Kilgore. The game is scheduled Saturday in Kilgore at R. E. St. John Memorial Stadium. Game time is 3 p.m.
The Cardinals scored on their first possession when Khalil Banks burst through the Tyler defense and raced 52 yards into the end zone.
The Cardinals would score twice more in the opening quarter on a pair of Shelton Eppler touchdown tosses. Eppler returned as the starter at quarterback after suffering an injury in the season opener against Pima, completing 16-of-25 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns.
While Eppler and the offense were having their way with the Apaches, the defense was shutting down Tyler. The Apaches had 10 possession in the first half, seven ending with punts, two with lost fumbles and one with the end of the half.
The Cardinals led 41-0 at the half.
Banks finished with 113 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on eight carries. Jaylon Henderson ran for 76 on nine carries and Jeremy Lewis 50 on five.
Brayten Kubeck, celebrating his birthday, caught three passes for 104 yards. Jose Blakenship, Lik Estilien and Tony Willams each caught a touchdown pass.
Trey Baldwin led the defensive effort with eight tackles. J.R. Blades, Tevan McAdams and Blake Stephenson had four each. Baldwin also had two quarterback hurries and McAdams a sack. Jake Lechman and Blades each had a fumble recovery.
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
TVCC -- Khalil Banks 52 run (Angel Sevier kick), 12:58
TVCC -- Lik Estillien 21 pass from Shelton Eppler (Sevier kick), 6:57
TVCC -- Joseph Blankenship 4 pass from Eppler (Sevier kick), 1:19
Second Quarter
TVCC -- Banks 13 run (Sevier kick), 12:42
TVCC -- Tony Williams 13 pass from Eppler (Sevier kick), 8:59
TVCC -- FG Sevier 27, 5:13
TVCC -- FG Sevier 29, :41
Third Quarter
TVCC -- Jeremy Lewis 11 run (Sevier kick), 11:59
TJC -- Joseph Ward 24 pass from Nicholas Gerber (run failed), 6:57
Fourth Quarter
TVCC -- Jaylon Henderson 35 run (Sevier kick), 5:02
