Tyler Brooker’s major expectations were derailed in the second game of the season when he broke his foot. The injury sidelined the senior for nearly two months.

Despite not being able to help his team on the field, the Tiger leader continued to make his presence felt. He quickly became a fixture on the Demopolis sideline. Leaning on his crutches, Brooker would shout encouragement and admonishment to his teammates as they continued to work to push DHS to its best record ever.

Then, last Tuesday against region foe Pleasant Grove, Brooker finally got his opportunity to return to play.

Once he did, Brooker wasted little time in taking out weeks of frustration on an unsuspecting Spartan team.

He began the game at his customary midfield position before circumstances dictated he move to the top of the Tiger lineup.

“He’s comfortable,” DHS head coach Peter Keen said. “He proved that he could go up there and finish the ball and keep it low against Pleasant Grove.”

Brooker shined in his return to action as he belted five goals in the contest to catapult Demopolis to the win.

Then, Tuesday, Brooker made the most of another opportunity as he connected on two second-half goals. The first of the pair came early in the second period and marked the Tigers’ first score of the game. The second came from a late-game penalty kick that proved to be the game-winner.

“He’s the type of player that when he steps onto the field, he gives you 150 percent,” Keen said of the Tigers’ senior leader.

That all-out effort has helped provide an added spark to a Tiger team that continued to fight in Brooker’s absence. Now, Brooker and his teammates are hopeful they receive the help they need to have a shot at taking the team to a 5A playoff berth.