Sunday, October 19, 1997

Tyler defense keys victory

RANGER -- Tyler used two defensive touchdowns to help post a 25-15 junior college football victory over Ranger College on Saturday.

Tyler's J.R. Turner returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown, and teammate Jay Morris picked off one and returned it 14 yards for a score.

Tyler's Dominic Rhodes, a former Cooper standout, had 49 yards on 10 carries in the first half, but didn't carry the ball in the second half.

Rhodes fumbled to set up Ranger's first touchdown, putting the Rangers on the Tyler 32. Four plays later, Tacoma Fontaine caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Stephen Brenan.

Brenan also completed a 45-yard scoring toss to Cedrick Bonner.

Tyler improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in conference. Ranger is 2-5, 0-5.

Ranger will play next Saturday in Corsicana, at Navarro Junior College starting at 7 p.m.

Tyler 3 10 7 8 --25

Ranger 7 0 2 6 --15

SCORING SUMMARY

Tyler -- Alan Coco 26 field goal

Ranger -- Tacoma Fontaine 11 pass from Stephen Brenan (Angelo Garcia kick)

Tyler -- J.R. Turner 40 interception return (Coco kick)

Tyler -- Coco 46 field goal

Tyler -- Jay Morris 14 interception return (Coco kick)

Ranger -- Kasey Nonette tackled in end zone by Damion Jenkins

Ranger -- Cedrick Bonner 45 pass from Brenan (pass failed)

Tyler -- Nonette 15 run (George Fisher run)

Tyler Ranger

First downs 13 10

Rushes-yards 47-189 25-34

Passing yards 74 180

Comp-Att-Int 10-24-0 14-37-2

Punts 4-36 5-38

Fumbles-lost 4-3 1-0

Penalties-yards 4-50 10-95