Marcalas Johnson + Arp Grab First District Win With 33-14 Victory Over West Rusk

LONGVIEW -- The Arp Tigers snapped a three-game losing streak and earned their first district win in the process.

Marcalas Johnson was the spark that ignited the Tigers in a 33-14 decision over the West Rusk Raiders Saturday night at Lobo Stadium.

The Tigers improved to 2-4 overall and evened their District 10-2A Division II record at 1-1. The Raiders slipped to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in league play.

Johnson only touched the ball 15 times, but he certainly made the most of it, finishing with 154 yards. He scored twice on runs of 31 and 41 yards as Arp piled up 277 yards offensively.

West Rusk got a workmanlike performance from senior running back George Anthony, who had 156 yards on 34 carries. It was Anthony's 9-yard bolt that staked the Raiders to an early 7-0 lead.

Arp proceeded to score 33 consecutive points to put the game well out of reach.

Tigers quarterback Chase Bonner paired up with Thomas Reese on a 59-yard TD at 4:09 mark of the third. Reese reeled the pass in near the Raider sideline. He broke what appeared to be a sure tackle and simply outran several defenders.

Bonner finished his night of work going 7 of 15 for 94 yards. He managed to connect with six different receivers. Reese had two catches for 63 yards.

The Tigers defense forced a safety in the fourth quarter to make it 26-7. On the subsequent free kick, Reese nearly took it to the house. His 31-yard return set up Arp's final score of the night when Jakeithon Medlock punched it across from a yard out with less than six minutes to play.

West Rusk wrapped up the night's scoring when Nick Ballard completed a nine-play, 64-yard drive from a yard out in the waning moments of play.

Arp visits Frankston Friday and West Rusk plays host to Hawkins.