The TJC Apaches open the 2024 season on Thursday in Dodge City, Kan. A trio of key Apaches include (from left) tight end Lonnie Johnson (Fr., Fort Worth, Keller Timber Creek HS/SMU transfer), quarterback Josh Thomas (Soph., Longview/Longview HS), and wide receiver Ja’Quah MaGee (So., Austin/Austin LBJ HS). (TJC Athletics)

The Apaches did not take the yellow brick road, but the TJC football team is in Kansas to open th 2024 season.

Third-year Coach Tanner Jacobson says he has a veteran unit with the goal of contending for a conference title and a playoff berth.

But first, Tyler Junior College takes on the Dodge City Community College Conquistadors on Thursday at Memorial Stadium in Dodge City, Kansas. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (Radio: The Team 92.1-FM, Tyler-Longview; Streaming: https://goconqs.com/, go to Fan Zone, Live Stream).

The Tribe hopes to combine heart, courage and brains for a successful season.

This will be the first meeting between the juco programs. Both teams received votes in the NJCAA preseason poll.

Jacobson enters his third season as Apache Chief, recording consecutive 5-4 marks.

Returning quarterback for Tyler Junior College is former Longview High School standout Josh Thomas. He played in six games, throwing for 1,392 yards with 11 TDs and no interceptions.

Some other returners offensively include wide receiver Terrance Naulings, offensive inemen Tavon Harris (just picked up offer from Akron), Xavier Werrell (Liberty commitment) and Tony Lynn, and All-America kicker Christian Baxter, who attended Tyler Legacy High School.

On defensive, some of the returning standouts include sophomore defensive backs Jayveus Lyons and Sam Fongang (Hawaii offer), and defensive end Ziggy Loa (Utah State offer).

The Apaches picked up two stars from Texas state championship teams in wide receiver Hawk Patrick-Daniels of Aledo and offensive tackle Josiah Drake of Duncanville, wihle adding two SMU transfers in tight end Lonnie Johnson and cornerback Jayden Lawton.

Dodge City is coming off an 8-3 campaign, including a 37-6 win over New Mexico Military in the Wool Bowl in Roswell, New Mexico.

The Conquistadors’ new coach is Ryan Lusby, who was the offensive coordinator last season at UT Permian Basin. The Falcons averaged 42.4 points a game in the Lone Star Conference.

Quarterback Bryce Conover returns at quarterback for DCCC. He played in seven games including the bowl game last year throwing for 634 yards with five touchdowns.

After the opener, the Apaches return to play on Saturday, Sept. 7, hosting Georgia Military College. The contest is set for 1 p.m. at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.

The Conquistadors will play host to Garden City (Kansas) on Saturday, Sept. 7. Kickoff is 7 p.m.