Darian Brooks Shines for Tatum in Season-Opening Win Over Arp [VIDEO]

TATUM – Senior quarterback Darian Brooks, making his second career start, passed for 170-yards and rushed for 113 yards while having a hand in three total touchdowns to help Tatum defeat Arp 41-21 in Friday's season opener at Eagle Stadium.

Tatum opened the game with a 4-play, 68-yard drive resulting in a Eagles touch down. Taking the ball at their own 32 yard line, Eagles QB Darian Brooks broke down the home sideline for a 63 yard gain setting up a 4- yard touchdown run by Martavious Henderson. Two-point conversion was good giving Tatum the 8-0 lead.

Less than four minutes later Arp responded with a 51-yard touchdown run by sophomore Marcalas Johnson but a failed PAT saw the Tigers trailing 8-6.

Johnson finished the night with a game high 117 yards rushing and one touchdown on 14 carries.

Tatum responded with Brooks connecting with sophomore Keshaun Smith for a 85-yard touchdown. The Tatum QB, making his second varsity start, scrambling in his own end zone before finding Smith wide open down the sideline. That was Smiths lone reception of the night.

Turnovers kept both teams out of the end zone for almost the entire second quarter. With 25-seconds left before the half Brooks found the end zone for his first time of the night with a 3-yard touchdown run. Alexis Garza’s PAT was good giving Tatum a 22-6 lead heading into the locker rooms.

Arp received the ball to start the second half and they went with their Wildcat formation look. The Tigers marched down the field and with a 65-yard drive highlighted by Michael Roberson’s 51-yard touchdown run.

Roberson ended the night with five carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns.

The Eagles responded with a 44-yard drive capped off by Brooks’ second touchdown of the night. This one went from 11-yards out. Tatum doubled its lead to 28-14 and that lead held until the fourth quarter.

With less than two minutes off the clock in the final quarter Roberson finished of an Arp 83-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run. The Tigers trailed 28-21 and that was as close as it would get.

Henderson found the end zone thanks to a 20-yard pass from Brooks. The PAT was no good as the Eagles’ increased their lead to 34-21.

The final touchdown of the night came on a 1-yard run by Shaq Johnson that capped an 81-yard drive. Johnson’s touchdown run was set up by a 70 run by Jalen Shans.

Next week Tatum (1-0) visits Winnsboro (1-0) while Arp (0-1) hosts area power Paul Pewit (0-1).

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