NAVARRO (1-2/0-2) at NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA A&M (0-2/0-2)
6 pm Saturday, September 25
Red Robertson Field | Miami, Ok.
MEETING: The 38th since the series began in the 1977 Garland TEXAS JUCO Bowl at Homer B. Johnson Stadium when NJCAA and Bulldog Hall of Famer Harold Hern's team defeated NEO, 35-28.
SERIES: The Golden Norsemen lead the series, 20-17. In spring, Navarro snapped NEO's four-game losing streak in the series by winning 23-20 at Tiger Stadium in Corsicana. The Bulldogs have won only five times at Red Robertson Field in Miami, Ok. Chuck Lawrence's 2004 team secured NC's first-ever win, 42-33. Oklahoma native Nick Bobeck coached NC to wins of 65-24 in 2008 and 33-7 in the 2010 national championship season. Finally, Brian Mayper led NC to wins of 62-24 in 2012 and 65-30 in 2014.
THE 'SPRING GAME': Isaiah Robinson rushed for 160 yards on 24 carries and scored two second-half touchdowns to rally Navarro past the Golden Norsemen. Robinson capped a 15-play, 75-yard drive behind back-up quarterback Qua Gray inside the final 6:14 and scored the game-winning touchdown on an eight-yard burst with 1:30 to play. Robinson's final-half success after C.J. Bosket made a jolting, momentum-turning play before half. Bosket scooped Redi Mustafaraj's blocked-field goal try and returned it 84 yards for a touchdown that hoisted NC into a 10-7 halftime lead. The blocked field goal occurred after NEO's 15-play, 69-yard drive ended at the Navarro six with 1:51 to play.
WEATHER: Clear skies with temperatures approaching 77 degrees are expected at kickoff, with 52% humidity and light south winds.
STREAMING: None.
COACHES: Navarro's Scott Parr is in his third season (10-11), while Zac Crissup (1-9) is in his second at NEO A&M. Crissup spent two seasons as the Golden Norsemen's defensive coordinator and seven years on staff.
ABOUT NEO: The Golden Norsemen have won once in their last 10 games, and only scored 15 touchdowns in those contests. NEO, which averaged about 14 points during spring games, only has one touchdown during the first eight quarters of its fall season. During its 34-0 conference loss at Kilgore, NEO managed only 105 total yards. NEO's been shut out three times in its last five games, spanning two seasons. The team's strength is its defense led by 2020 SWJCFC Defensive Player of The Year Damion Lowery, linebacker Darius Moore, and defensive back Cedric McClendon, Jr.
HALL OF FAME, PART II: NEO's homecoming and Athletic Hall of Fame activities occur this week. Navarro gets to play the role of homecoming opponent.
KEY STATISTICS: Navarro averages 41 points and 552 yards. The Bulldogs yield 40.7 points and 583 yards. Northeastern Oklahoma averages 191.5 yards (146 rushing).
KEY PLAYERS: Navarro – QB Qua Gray, RB Isaiah Robinson, WR Jeremiah Aaron, Quentin Lee, Karl Reynolds and Zavion Taylor, OG Kamon Bradford, C Jawaun Singletary. DE Khalil White, DT Mike Sandjo, DE Kenneth Ellison, LB Nate Maulsby, LB Nick McGrew, CB C.J. Bosket, PK Alexis Lopez.
KEY INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS – Gray, after posting the program's third highest single-game passing yardage total (521 yards), now ranks second nationally in pass yardage (1005) and per-game (330.5), and fifth in TDs thrown (8). Aaron, after turning in the program's single-game high in reception yardage (276), now leads the NJCAA in per-game (118.5). Robinson ranks third in rushing TDs (5) and fourth in per-game yardage (124.3). Aaron also leads the NJCAA in all-purpose yards (639) and per-game (213). Robinson ranks third in rushing touchdowns (5) and fourth in per-game yardage (124.3).
BIGGER NUMBERS: Robinson and Lee continue their chases through Navarro's career record book. Robinson ranks eighth in carries (277), sixth in rushing yardage (1655) and 11th in rushing touchdowns (16). Next in his sights are Myron Hardeman (1975-76) in carries, Terrell Washington (1986-87) in yardage and Torrie Edwards (1994-95) and Traylon Shead (2012) in rushing TDs. Meanwhile, Lee likely becomes the fourth Navarro receiver with 100-plus catches. He stands 98-1275-10. Ahead in his pathway are Kaylon Geiger (2018-19) in receptions, Del'Michael High (2014-15) in reception yardage, and Keith Thomas (1973) in TD catches.
SWJCFC THIS WEEK: Navarro at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, 6 pm; Tyler at Trinity Valley, 6 pm; Kilgore at NMMI, 6 pm. (Non-Conference) Louisiana Community Christian at Blinn. Cisco has an open date.
SWJCFC NEXT WEEK: (Conference) Cisco at Trinity Valley, 3 pm; Navarro at Kilgore, 7 pm; NMMI at Blinn, 7 pm. (Non-Conference) Ellsworth CC, Ia., at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, 1 pm. (Open Date) Tyler.
NAVARRO'S PROJECTED TWO-DEEP LINEUP
OFFENSE
POS PLAYER | PLAYER
LT Lysander Moeolo | Phillip Houston
LG Kamon Bradford | Quinterion Winn
C Jawaun Singletary | Angel Zamora
RG Donovan Ford | Timothy Metevia
RT Elijah Bowser | Garyeon Smallwood
X Jeremiah Aaron | Koby Cooper
H Zavion Taylor | Adonis Scott
Y Quentin Lee | Brandon Hawkins
Z Karl Reynolds | Koby Cooper
QB Qua Gray | Jack Turner
RB Isaiah Robinson | Elijah Hines
PK Alexis Lopez | Antonio Onofre
DEFENSE
POS PLAYER | PLAYER
DE Khalil White | Jayden Hughes
LT Mike Sandjo | Nik Potts
RT R.J. Evans | Viontay Robinson
RE Kenneth Ellison | Caleb Sims
MLB Nate Maulsby | Tyler Farmer
WLB LaQualon Hale | LaTravious Johnson
SLB Chatavies Johnson | Vince Sheffield
LC Kaleno Levine | Tyrecus Davis
RC C.J. Bosket | Brandon Davis
R Tyrone Wilson | Layne O'Dell
FS Preston Hodge | Trevon Green
P Ryan Shamburger | Antonio Onofre
-- By MIKE MONTFORT
