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Tyler Junior College football coach Tanner Jacobson officially began his third season as Apache chief as he welcomed some 92 players to campus for Thursday’s first day of fall workouts.

“It went well,” Jacobson said. “It was nice to have the continuity of players returning from the spring to fall.”

The last two springs Division I schools have raided the Apaches for starters.

Jacobson said his team retained almost all of their starters from the spring with the exception of two — safety Esteban Guillory (Murray State) and defensive tackle Kam Curry (Troy).

The former BYU standout said he and his staff threw a lot at the veterans and the newcomers, but was pleased how the sophomores retained knowledge from the spring and how the freshman grasped everything.

The Apaches begin each day at 5:55 a.m. for meetings, hit the field at 6:30 p.m. They being practice at 7 a.m. with lifting and meetings during the evening.

Offensively, TJC returns quarterback Josh Thomas of Longview and running back Ashton Haynes of Gilmer.

Jacobson is expecting big years out of both East Texans.

The Apaches also picked up a couple of standouts from state championship teams — wide receiver Hawk Patrick-Daniels of Aledo and offensive tackcle Josiah Drake of Duncanville.

Patrick-Daniels played running back at Aledo where he was named Offensive MVP of the Class 5A Division I championship game.

He rushed for 186 yards and three TDs on 16 carries in the 51-8 victory by the Bearcats over Comal Smithson Valley. Patrick-Daniels enrolled at mid-term.

The Apaches also have a couple of transfers from SMU — tight end Lonnie Johnson and defensive back Jayden Lawton.

TJC opens the season on the road against Dodge City (Kansas) on Thursday, Aug. 29. A 7 p.m. kick is planned.

The Apaches’ home opener is against Georgia Military at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.

The conference opener is in Tyler against Trinity Valley at 7 p.m. Sept. 14.

Homecoming is Oct. 26 vs. Kilgore at 3 p.m.