Tatum Cruises Past Liberty-Eylau

[By Robert Galloway, Special to ETSN.fm]

TEXARKANA -- Tatum bounced back from last week's loss to Gilmer with a 41-14 win against Liberty-Eylau.

The Eagles used a combination of big plays and time-consuming drives. They were in control of the game by halftime, 28-7.

A tenacious Tatum defense held the Leopards to 12 first downs for the night.

On their first play from scrimmage, the Eagles (2-1) went the distance with a 48-yard pass from quarterback J.D. Taylor to Deyante Roberson. Taylor scored on a 2-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

Tatum scored opened a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. Denarius Earl scampered seven yards to cap an 87-yard, 17-play drive. The PAT was blocked.

J.D. Taylor found a seam in the middle with under four minutes left in the half for an 86-dash for six for 21-lead.

But L-E (1-3) made it interesting seconds later. Donelle Hoof returned the kickoff 92 yards for the score and with 3:21 to go in the frame.

The Eagles got another shot in before the break though. Earl scored from six yards out to cap a 10-play, 59-yard drive.

Tatum got the ball to start the second half. A short five yard pass from Taylor to Josh Ivy made the score 35-7.

At the 3:33 mark of the fourth quarter, the Eagles' defense got on the board as Da'calen Hicks picked off a Kemon Freeman pass at the Leopard 30 and took it to the house for the score. L-E blocked another PAT.

The Leopards would add a late score with 1:50 left as Freeman found Decorian Meadows on a 19-yard pass.

L-E will tangles with Atlanta Friday. Tatum simultaneously squares off with Chapel Hill.