NMMI Sports Press

Joel Jones rushed for 174 yards and three scores, Kobe Muasau threw for 232 yards with no picks and ran for a touchdown, and the Black Swarm defense had three takeaways and a goal line stand as the Broncos downed the No. 6 Tyler Junior College Apaches 31-17 to keep their conference championship hopes very much alive.

"It goes back to our preparation. The guys bought in during the bye week and we really geared up for these guys," said third-year head coach Kurt Taufa'asau. "We were able to get healthy at a few positions and a lot of credit goes to our coaches, getting these guys ready."

The Broncos had to overcome a slow start that began with a quick three-and-out followed by a two-play Tyler drive culminating in a 45-yard diving touchdown reception.

NMMI's next drive stalled as well, but the defense stepped up as CJ Tuliloa broke up a Tyler pass and Churchill Williams snatched it out of the air and took it 26 yards the other way. It was the team-leading third interception of the season for the sophomore from Stafford, TX.

"We had to defend our home turf," Williams said. "We worked hard during the bye and our coaches made sure we were locked in for this game. Losing this one was not an option if we want to keep up in the conference. I really feel like we have what it takes to go all the way, but that happens one week at a time."

NMMI was unable to capitalize on the interception and a few series later, the Apaches drove to the Bronco five-yard line, looking to take a commanding lead in a low-scoring affair to that point.

Linebacker Sampson Alofipo had other plans. The freshman from Las Vegas, Nevada, sacked Tyler quarterback Jaden Pete for a 10-yard loss, then took down Cody Brown for a 1-yard loss on a short reception. The defense held on third down and Tyler settled for a short field goal to go up 10-0 early in the second quarter.

The Broncos answered on their next possession with a 10-play drive featuring tough carries by Jones and accurate passes from Muasau. Jones capped off the drive with a 1-yard dive into the end zone and Joseph Newton-Grain's extra point made it 10-7.

The momentum began to turn as Tyler only gained first down yardage once without the aid of a penalty for the rest of the half while Jones and the offensive line asserted their dominance with a quick touchdown drive to take a 17-10 lead into the locker room.

Sophomore linebacker Prestyn Saole intercepted Pete on the first drive of the third quarter, setting the Broncos up at midfield. This time, Jones broke a tackle and trotted the last 10 yards to pay dirt on a 24-yard scoring rush.

"Establishing the line of scrimmage was emphasized all week," said Taufa'asau. "We struggled to get the run game going early in the season, but the guys up front have come together and lots of credit to Joel Jones for running it hard. He's really stepped up for us the last two games."

The Apaches again drove deep into NMMI territory only to be stonewalled on fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line. On the ensuing drive, Muasau fumbled the snap and Tyler recovered at the Bronco 20. This time the visitors cashed in to pull within a score at 24-17.

The Broncos answered Tyler with another long drive, this one highlighted by big third-down conversions from Muasau, through the air and on the ground. Sophomore tight end Manuel Gomez almost backed into the end zone on a 14-yard competition, but Muasau finished the series a couple plays later with a  short scramble score.

The Apaches drove into NMMI territory on their final possession, but stalled near midfield and turned the ball over on downs. Muasau converted a third-and-short with a 19-yard strike to Gomez and the Broncos kneeled out the clock.

Before Saturday's game, Tyler was the last team in the SWJCFC without a conference loss. NMMI now sits in second place with a 3-1 conference record, behind Kilgore who defeated the Broncos on Sept. 16.

"The future is bright and we just have to keep moving in this direction. Some people might say Cisco will be an easy game, but we will treat it the same as a game against a top-ranked team. Anyone can beat you in this conference and we won't fall for the trap."

Next Saturday's game against the Cisco Wranglers will be streamed live on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. MDT.