PREVIEW: Henderson and Tatum Stand Between Each Other and 2-0

Tatum Eagles (1-0)

vs.

Henderson Lions (1-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Lion Stadium, Henderson

Coaches

• Tatum: Craig Barker
• Henderson: Phil Castles

Last week

• Tatum: def. Arp 14-0
• Henderson: def. Atlanta 36-0

Next week

• Tatum: vs. Tyler Chapel Hill
• Henderson: vs. Pittsburg

Playmakers

Tatum

• OL Drake Centers, Sr., 6-4, 295 (committed to Texas State)
• RB Cedric White, Sr., 5-9, 160
• QB OB Jones, Jr., 6-2, 178
• OL Bryan Jackson, Sr., 6-3, 280
• WR/DB C.J. Biggs, Sr., 5-8, 150
• DL James Jakubowski, Sr., 6-5, 230
• WR/DB Jachais Jenkins, Jr., 5-9, 175
• FB/LB Jaden Marcott, Sr., 6-2, 204

Henderson

• QB Trae Hall, Sr., 6-3, 185
• TE/DL Keivie Rose, Jr., 6-3, 242
• WR/LB Tyrek Blanton, Sr., 6-2, 190
• RB Lynn Freeney, Sr., 5-11, 180
• WR/DB Treylun Blanton, Sr., 5-11, 165
• LB Garrett Lybrand, Sr., 6-2, 200
• RB/LB D.Q. Murphy, Sr.
• ATH Keuntaye Dunham, Jr., 5-8, 150

Just the facts

• These teams met in Tatum last season, with Henderson winning handily, 45-13.
• Both teams pitched shutouts in Week 1.
• Cedric White went without a touchdown, but had 101 yards in Tatum's 14-0 victory against Arp.
• Tatum scored both of its touchdowns in the first half last week, meaning the second half was scoreless on both sides.
• Five different players scored touchdowns for Henderson in its 36-0 win against Atlanta.
• The Lions' Ty Blanton took an interception 53 yards to score for the defense last week.

Key matchup: Tatum offensive line against the Henderson defensive line. Cedric White can do damage when he gets his line blocking for him. Drake Centers, a Texas State commit, and Bryan Jackson give Tatum a formidable force up front.

White ran for 1,345 yards and 16 touchdowns last season behind Centers and Jackson. He had 101 yards this past Friday. He could go for even more this Friday.

On the other side, a defensive line anchored by Keivie Rose will try to ensure he doesn't. If they can do their job and contain White, it will be a long game for Tatum.

Don't be surprised if: Henderson runs the ball a great deal. D.Q. Murphy and Lynn Freeney had 91 and 81 yards, respectively this past Friday. Trae Hall, Keshoyn Alexander and Cortland Jackson all had rushing touchdowns. If there's one thing Henderson does effectively, it's run the ball.

Hall can throw, too, keeping defenses honest. It's tough to defend Henderson. So, if the Lions put up big numbers on the ground en route to another victory, don't be surprised.