[By Josh Richert, Special to ETSN.fm]

TEXARKANA — Texas High piled up more than 475 yards of offense and beat Pine Tree, 38-16, to celebrate homecoming Friday night.

The four-way tie for first in District 15-5A was cut to two after the Tigers’ big win over the Pirates, Marshall’s upset of Longview, and Hallsville knocking off Mount Pleasant. Only Texas High and Marshall remain at 3-0 in district play.

Jakardi Witcher ran for 218 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers (5-1, 3-0), and quarterback Cade Pearson hit on 75 percent of his passes (15 of 20) for 211 yards and three touchdowns.

Pearson connected with a running back, a receiver and a tight end for scores, the last one coming when Texas High was attempting to throw for a first down to pick up a first down that would allow it to run out the clock.

Kip Williams caught the 41-yard strike in the final minute, and Witcher raced 70 yards just a few minutes earlier on the gamecock to answer Pine Tree’s 5-yard TD run by Maliq Owens.

Owens finished with 18 carries for 166 yards and a score. Daniel Bonamy was 16-of-34 passing for 136 yards, a score and an interception, made by Rhone.

The Tigers had 476 yards of offense while the Pirates had 330 with 149 rushing yards coming after halftime. Texas High piled up 257 yards of offense in the first half and answered Pine Tree's only touchdown with consecutive scores to take a 14-point lead into the locker room at intermission.

Pearson threw scores to Markese Martin, for a 40-yard strike on a swing pass to finish off the Tigers' initial possessions, and Jaylen Rhone with 23 seconds remaining.

Pearson was 11 of 15 passing for 129 yards before the break, and Witcher rushed 11 times for 97 yards in the half with a 10-yard scoring run with 4:30 left in the second quarter to break a 7-7 tie.

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