TEXARKANA, Texas — Texas High School in Texarkana rolled past Sulphur Springs, Texas, 59-25 on Friday night in Tiger Stadium at Grim Park.

The Tigers were led by wide receiver Cobi Hamilton, 6-3, 190 pounds, 4. 54 seconds in the 40-yard dash, who finished the game with 8 catches for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns. Hamilton is being heavily recruited by Arkansas assistant Bobby Allen.

Last year, Sulphur Springs won this matchup 28-24, ending Texas High’s 27-game district winning streak. This year, all the forecasters at the Texarkana Gazette picked the Wildcats to win again. That was something that didn’t slip past Hamilton and the other Tigers.

“All across the board all five picked us to lose,” Hamilton said with a wide smile. “Coach [Barry ] Norton pointed it out. He said in the 10 years he has been here he has never had anybody pick us all to lose. It was disappointing for us, so we showed up.”

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For the season, Hamilton has 27 receptions for 490 yards and 7 touchdowns. He was pleased with his performance against the Wildcats.

“I did real good,” Hamilton said. “They told me they were going to play man on me and weren’t scared of me. I knew I would have some big plays in the game, and that is what I did.”

Hamilton’s first touchdown of the night was a thing of beauty with quarterback Nate Sorenson tossing him a perfect 24-yard strike with 17. 3 seconds remaining in the first half. The touchdown came after Hamilton caught back-to-back passes of 17 and 15 yards while working the sideline. On the third play, Sorenson pump-faked the same route to Hamilton, who then streaked for the end zone and caught the pass in stride.

“We work on that in practice all the time,” Hamilton said. “[Sorenson ] said he was going to work me, and I believe it.”

Texas High has only suffered one loss in five games while Friday’s loss was the second on the year for Sulphur Springs. Both lost to Longview earlier this season.

“I think this can be a boost for us,” Hamilton said. “We both lost to Longview, so they’re 0-2 going into district and we’re 1-1. We’re going to be playing every Friday from here on out, so it ought to be pretty fun for us.”

One reason many thought Sulphur Springs would win was because of quarterback Ty Rollinson, who is being heavily recruited by the major colleges. Last year, he burned Texas High for 278 yards and three touchdowns. Hamilton said the team was prepared for Rollinson this time.

“Coach told us to contain the screens, contain the quarterback and keep him moving by rushing as hard as we could,” Hamilton said. “We wanted to keep him moving and not let him just sit there [in the pocket ].”

Hamilton has around a dozen scholarship offers and has countless others still evaluating him. Hamilton is enjoying the recruiting process and puts on a show for the recruiters each time they come to see him play.

“My overall speed, 21. 4 [seconds in the 200-meter dash ], and 4. 5 speed [in the 40 ] and big frame,” Hamilton said when asked why he’s getting so much recruiting attention. “I’m physical off the ball.”

Hamilton’s parents attended Arkansas, where his mother played basketball. Hamilton didn’t hesitate to name a favorite Friday.

“Arkansas is still my No. 1,” Hamilton said. “I’m going to check out Missouri later in the season. Arkansas is still No. 1 and my favorite right now.”

Hamilton is very familiar with Arkansas, having made the trip to Fayetteville each opportunity he has gotten this season. Texas High has had two open dates, and Hamilton headed to Fayetteville both times.

“I went to one [game ] last year and two this year,” Hamilton said. “I also went to the [Seniors Camp in July ].

“ The fan support there is unbelievable. I like the fans and everybody wanted to shake my hand. They all want me to come to Arkansas. I like when they call the Hogs, too.”

One additional plus for Arkansas is the presence of former Texas High and Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallett. Mallett was a senior when Hamilton was a sophomore for the Tigers.

“Ryan is a good quarterback,” Hamilton said. “I think he’s the best quarterback in the country. He knows how to throw everything around to good receivers, and that’s why Arkansas is No. 1 right now.”