K.J. Garrett Runs Wild in Center’s 43-30 Win Over Tatum [VIDEO]

TATUM -- K.J. Garrett rushed for 245 yards on 26 carries and scored four touchdowns and Center's defense forced eight turnovers en route to a 43-30 win over the Eagles on their homecoming Friday night at Eagle Stadium.

Garrett had scoring runs of 51, 13, 1 and 89 yards -- the last of which sealed the win for the Roughriders, who improved to 5-0 on the season.

On defense, Center's Darron Bolton was responsible for forcing two of Tatum's eight turnovers as he returned two interceptions for touchdowns.

Shaquille Ingram and Johnny Shaw chipped in with the other two interceptions.

Tatum struck first with just over four minutes into the game on a 10-yard pass and catch from Darian Brooks to Toby Henderson and with a failed two point conversion attempt, the Eagles led Center 6-0. That would be the only touchdown by either team in the first quarter.

Center found the scoreboard at the 7:45 mark in the second quarter as Garrett sprinted up the middle for a 51-yard touchdown. The Roughriders got on the board again thanks to Bolton’s first interception of the night. The senior took it to the house from 21 yards out and again, Garcia’s kick was good and Center led 14-6 going in to the locker rooms at halftime.

Almost mid-way through the third quarter Garrett scored his second touchdown of the night, this time from 13 yards out to give Center a 21-6 lead. On the next possession, Bolton returned his second interception for a touchdown -- this one from 41 yards out -- to put Center up 28-6.

Darian Brooks, who had 153 yards rushing on 18 carries, put Tatum on the board with 5:33 left in the third with a 58-yard touchdown run to cut Center's lead to 28-12.

Brooks had a stellar night as well passing the ball. The senior QB was 24-of-33 for 236 yards, but also had four interceptions.

With just under three minutes left in the third quarter, Garrett found the end zone for his third time of the night. This time from 1 yard out and followed up with the two-point conversion giving Center a 36-12 lead.

The Eagles drove the length of the field and the drive ended with Brooks connecting with Andrew Stoker for a 10-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion was no good and Center still led 36-18.

On the second play of Center’s next drive Toby Henderson picked off a Dalton Horton pass. Eight plays later Center got the ball back via an interception of their own; this time is was Shaw bringing in a tipped ball intended for C.J. Whitaker.

The next score wouldn’t come until 10 minutes into the fourth quarter. Garrett again got the call as he took the handoff 89 yards down the sideline for his fourth and final touchdown of the night. Garcia’s PAT gave Center a 43-18 lead.

Tatum scored twice late in the fourth, in a five second span. Brooks scored his second touchdown of the night from 1 yard out and on the following kickoff, sophomore Devon Boyd scooped up an Alexis Garza pooch kick and ran it in from 14 yards out with one second remaining in the game.

Both teams have one final tune up before beginning district play. Center(5-0) plays host to Corrigan-Camden while Tatum (3-1) heads to Diboll next Friday night.

KLTV.com-Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, Texas | ETX News