By MIKE MONTFORT
Win, and we're in! That's Navarro football's mantra as it prepares for Saturday's 3 pm regular-season finale against the 12th-ranked Tyler Apaches.
The game on Earl Campbell Field at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium is a play-in for the SWJCFC playoffs. The winner gets a preliminary dose of 'survive and advance' for post-season, while the loser goes home and gets an early start on offseason.
Last Saturday, Navarro stayed in contention as quarterback Dane Jentsch accounted for 267 yards, converted running back D'Tyrian McCoy gained a personal-best 88 yards on 23 carries, and the Bulldogs' big-play defense stepped up with the first two scores in a 35-7 homecoming win over Cisco.
Jordan Ford's one-yard return of a blocked punt and Jakelyn Morgan's 72-yard interception return provided NC touchdowns during a 21-point flurry inside the final eight minutes of the first half. NC's defense now has scored five touchdowns and 32 of the team's 205 total points through seven games. Only the Highland, Ks., defensive unit has scored more TDs (6) than the Bulldogs this season.
Jentsch, McCoy and Asa Osbourne provided rushing touchdowns as NC subdued first-year coach Stephen Lee;s Wranglers and eliminated them from contention.
Still, NC's defense became a scoring factor for a fifth week.
Jadarius Thursby blocked David Michel's punt at the Cisco one-yard line and defensive back Jordan Ford ran it into the end zone for the game's first score. Almost five minutes later, sophomore defensive back Jakelyn Morgan intercepted a Jalen Sessions pass and retuned it 72 yards for a touchdown – his second pick-six in three weeks.
Navarro's defensive unit now has produced five touchdowns and 32 points of the team's 205 through seven games. Only Highland CC, Ks., has scored more defensive touchdowns (6) than the Bulldogs.
Waxahachie freshman D'Tyrian McCoy capped NC's first-half scoring with a two-yard run inside the final minute. McCoy, continuing a successful conversion to running back, totaled a personal-season high 88 yards on 23 carries
