Texas Lutheran football honors fallen teammates, clinches conference championship

Texas Lutheran clinched its third consecutive Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship Saturday afternoon with a 28-20 victory over Centenary, as the community came together to mourn the loss of three students at the university.

Deyreck Dean and A’Jean Augustine died in a crash early Monday, the team said in a news release. Their jerseys were carried out to the field, and players were seen wearing their initials on their faces in tribute.

Joseph Angel Sanchez Jr., who did not play for the team but also attended TLU, died Tuesday in a separate Wilson County crash. The university said all were “beloved” and will be “deeply mourned by friends, professors and loved ones.”

After the students were remembered before the game, the Bulldogs forced a fumble to kickoff the final game of the regular season.

Texas Lutheran quarterback Elijah Favela called his own number and powered up the middle for a touchdown for an early 7-0 lead.

Favela dropped back later in the first quarter near the 25-yard line and launched a pass downfield. Ja’Mare Nichols made the catch with a defender on him, finding the end zone for another Bulldogs touchdown.

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