Tyler Junior College redshirt freshman Kenneth Burks scored two touchdowns and finished with 99 yards in Saturday's win over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. (Courtesy)

Kenneth Burks looked at the depth chart in August.

He was the No. 7 running back.

The Tyler Junior College red-shirt freshmen didn’t drop his head. He went back to preparing for the season.

“I just knew I had to continue to work,” said Burks, a graduate of Mansfield High School. “I hurt my knee the fifth game of my senior year, tearing my ACL. I just looked at this (depth chart) as a new challenge.”

His work paid off in Saturday’s 58-31 win over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

With starting running back Chaston Bennett taking a breather, Burks came into the game and helped the Apaches register the key Southwest Junior College Football Conference victory.

“The line was doing such a great job,” Burks said. “They were opening up the holes and I was just following them. Everyone was doing a great job.”

Burks (5-7, 175) ran for 99 yards and scored two touchdowns on 15 carries against the Golden Norsemen. For the season, Burks, who has played in two games, has 22 attempts for 120 yards.

“Ken started out seventh on the depth chart and gradually worked his way up,” said TJC head coach Danny Palmer, whose team is ranked No. 9 in the nation with a 3-1 record. “He was on the show team (scout team) and ran well against our No. 1 defense. We wanted to give him a try and he responded. He ran well behind his line against NEO.”

Burks said the work on the show team prepared him for the juco battles.

“I wanted to be on the show team. There was no hesitation,” Burks said. “I knew if I ran against our defense it meant I could run against the other teams.”

Burks and the Apaches are ready to get back on the field. TJC takes on Cisco College Saturday at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. Kickoff on Earl Campbell Field is set for 7 p.m.

“Cisco’s defense flies to the ball,” Burks said. “We have to be prepared for them.”

Burks will be ready no matter where he is listed on the depth chart.

SMOKE SIGNALS: Palmer said Florida transfer quarterback Max Staver, of Brentwood, Tennessee, will be out the remainder of the season. Palmer said Staver is dealing with foot issues. … For the game with Cisco, it will be Belle Babes Night hosted by the internationally famous Apache Belles. The young Belles will include Palmer’s granddaughter, Brianna, and assistant coach Russell Thompson’s daughter, Rebecca. …The No. 2 Apache Ladies volleyball team is in action tonight. TJC (20-1, 4-0 Region XIV North Zone) meets Paris Junior College (12-10, 1-3) in Paris. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. The Apache Ladies have won 15 straight matches. After a visit to Lamar State-Port Arthur on Oct. 1, the Apache Ladies will host the TJC Invite on Oct. 3-4. … After Saturday’s game with Cisco, the Apaches hit the road for three straight games — Oct. 4 against Texas A&T (formerly Southeast Prep) at 7 p.m. in Santa Fe near Houston; Oct. 11 at Georgia Military (1 p.m. EDT) and Oct. 18 vs. Navarro in Corsicana (3 p.m.). … The Apaches’ next home game is Oct. 25 against Kilgore College (3 p.m., homecoming). …

Kenneth Burks File

Position: Running back

Mother: Consuela Captain

Brothers: Aaron (played at Boise State and with the Indianapolis Colts) and Collin, 2.

Favorite NFL Player: Barry Sanders

Favorite NFL team: Dallas Cowboys

Favorite meal: Gumbo

Dream Vacation: Disney World after winning the Super Bowl

Dream Car: Lexus IS 250 Sport

Favorite Musical Artist: Drake