COMEBACK CARDS: Battle In The Valley is a thriller

Posted: Oct 03, 2016

Just call them the "Comeback Cards."

For the second time in as many home games, the eight-ranked Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals staged a comeback in the closing minutes to pull out a 45-41 win against No. 6 New Mexico Military in the Battle In The Valley Saturday night at Bruce Field.

The Cardinals scored twice in the final 5:55 to erase a 41-31 deficit and run their season record to 5-1 heading into an open week. They are 3-1 in Southwest Junior College Football Conference action.

Next up for Coach Brad Smiley's squad is a road against against Tyler Junior College on Saturday, Oct. 15. Game time is 7 p.m.

With 4:20 left in the third quarter, New Mexico took its 10-point lead when Bryndan McCoy caught his second touchdown pass from Jordan Ta'amu.

The Broncos maintained control until midway in the fourth quarter when the Cardinals went on a nine-play, 83-yard drive, culminated with a 39-yard scoring strike from Michael Curtis to Jalen Guyton at the 5:55 mark.

Enter the Cardinal defense.

Coach Will Reed's defensive unit quickly got the ball back for the offense, forcing a three-and-out, resulting in a punt that put the Cardinals in business at their own 24 with 3:35 to go and no timeouts remaining.

The Cardinals needed just six plays to cash in on the defensive stand. Adam Berryman covered the final 14 yards of the 76-yard scoring march on a burst through the NMMI defense. With Caden Novikoff's PAT, the Cardinals owned a 45-41 lead.

New Mexico Military wasn't through, but neither was the Cardinal defense.

The Broncos drove from their own 36 and with 26 seconds left were camped out on the TVCC 19 with a first and 10. NMMI moved as close as the five-yard line, but failed to convert on three attempts at the end zone.

Curtis completed 20-of-32 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns.

Berryman led the ground game with 106 yards on eight carries.

Guyton caught five passes for 105 yards. Anthony Turner and Khalil Banks joined with Guyton with a touchdown reception. Banks also rushed for a score.

NMMI fell to 4-1 on the season and 2-1 in league play.

Two weeks ago against Blinn, the Cardinals scored three times in the final 3:54 to score a 36-28 win.

SCORING SUMMARY

NMMI – Bryndan McCoy 3 pass from Jordan Ta'amu. (Nicholas Litang kick)

TVCC – Anthony Turner 15 pass from Michael Curtis. (Caden Novikoff kick)

NMMI – Edward Kea Jr. 25 pass from Jordan Ta'amu. (Kick blocked)

TVCC – Dominique Thomas 12 pass from Michael Curtis. (Caden Novikoff kick)

NMMI – Sanchez Loftin 45 pass from Jordan Ta'amu. (Nicholas Litang kick)

TVCC – Khalil Banks 8 run. (Caden Novikoff kick)

NMMI – Kody Washington 79 pass from Jordan Ta'amu. (Nicholas Litang kick)

TVCC – Khalil Banks 11 pass from Michael Curtis. (Caden Novikoff kick)

NMMI – Jordan Ta'amu 1 run. (Nicholas Litang kick)