Arp's QB Tyler Stewart (8) barks the signals, as he looks over the Hooks defense, during their Bi District Playoff game at Gilmer's Buckeye Stadium, Thursday night. ( Lang White / Correspondent )

GILMER – A week after Arp was in a must-win game just to make the playoffs, the Tigers took down the Hooks Hornets 20-13 Thursday at Jeff Traylor Stadium to win a Class 3A Division II bi-district championship.

The Tigers (7-4) now move on to face the winner of Lone Oak-S&S Consolidated next week win the area round. Hooks completed its season at 9-2.

Arp went in front to stay late in the third quarter after senior Julian Medlock scored on a 4-yard blast up the middle. The two-point conversion by Isaiah Baker gave the Tigers a 7-point cushion.

It was then up to the defense, which allowed just one more first down by Hooks for the remainder of the game. The Tigers limited Hooks to 10 first downs and 207 yards, 180 of that came in the first half when Hooks led 13-12.

The Hornets had one final chance after Ishmael Threadgill blocked a Tigers punt with 2:46 remaining. Arp pushed Hooks back, forcing a deep try from Johnson on fourth and long that fell incomplete.

Arp ran out the clock after that.

Arp junior Kayce Medlock rushed 12 times for 136 yards and a touchdown with Kaleb Cabello finishing with 61 yards, highlighted by a 45-yard scoring pass from Tyler Stewart.

Hooks was led by quarterback Jordan Johnson, who completed 7 of 12 passes for 99 yards and also rushed for 50 yards and two scores.

Arp jumped in front in the first quarter thanks to a deep pass from Tyler Stewart on fourth down that went through an intercepting defenders hands and into the welcoming arms of Kaleb Cabello, who took it the rest of the way for a 45-yard touchdown.

The Tigers missed the 2-point try to lead 6-0 with 2:25 left in the first quarter.

Hooks got two quarterback-keeper touchdowns from Jordan Johnson to go in front, 13-6.

The Tigers pulled to within a point thanks to a 45-yard kickoff return from Isaiah Baker, which set up Arp at the Hooks 25. From there on first and 10 from the 12, Kayce Medlock went around the right side and into the corner of the end zone.

Arp’s kicker was roughed on the PAT attempt, moving it even closer. Arp opted to try for a 2-point conversion, but for the second team in the half we denied to leave the score 13-12 at halftime.

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Class 3A Division II Bi-District Playoff

Arp 20, Hooks 13

At Buckeye Stadium, Gilmer

Arp 6 6 8 0 – 20

Hooks 7 6 0 0 – 13

 

First Quarter

ARP-Kaleb Cabello 45 pass from Tyler Stewart (run failed), 2:25

Second Quarter

HOO-Jordan Johnson 1 run (Dawson Woods kick), 9:35

HOO-Johnson 7 run (kick failed)

ARP-Kayce Medlock 12 run (run failed), 1:36

Third Quarter

ARP-Julian Herndon 4 run (Isaiah Baker run), 1:19

 

ARP HOO

First Downs 12 10

Rushes-Yards 40-236 32-108

Passing Yards 61 99

Comp.-Att.-Int. 2-4-1 7-12-0

Punts-Avg. 2-18.5 2-37

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-1

Penalties-Yards 6-70 3-12

 

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Arp, Kayce Medlock 12-136, Julian Herndon 12-49, Isaiah Baker 10-45, Tyler Stewart 6-6. Hooks, ReShawn Parker 10-34, Jordan Johnson 17-50, Montrell Estell 4-17, Jacob Ragland, 1-7.

PASSING-Arp, Stewart 2-4-1 61. Hooks, Johnson 7-12-0 99.

RECEIVING-Arp, Kaleb Cabello 2-61. Hooks, Montrell Estell 5-81, Malik Estell 2-8.