The Wildcats take advantage of three Trojan turnovers for scores on the way to a 34-0 annihilation. The rematch of last year's 4AA second round was not much of one as the Wildcats stretch a 14-0 halftime lead with two +70 yard scores in the second half and never look back.
Before an opening night crowd, which included Miss North Carolina Amanda Watson, who provides a stirring rendition of the national anthem, local radio 850 "The Buzz" and Time Warner Cable were pumped for an exciting Game of the Week, as dubbed by local media. Both teams start fairly slow with the Trojans first two drives thwarted by critical penalties. Millbrook fails to get a first down on their first two series, setting up the Trojans at their own 34 with 4 minutes to go in the first quarter.
Senior QB BG Howell hits Jeremy Conyers for 4 yards but a holding call puts them back 2nd and 17. Howell hits Ian Hunter for 16 yards but a fumble kills the drive at the 41. Millbrook drives the 59 yards in 7 plays for the first score with Wildcat QB Brian Kass running in from 12 yards out on 4th down and a 7-0 lead. The Trojans move the ball from their own 9 on their next series with Conyers picking 40 yards on 5 carries and Connor McLaurin adding 13 on a bruising trap draw. After Howell hits Hunter for 8 yards, the Cats get an interception, which they return to their own 44.
Millbrook cannot convert the turnover and punt, with the Trojans taking back over on their 34. But another fumble on 3rd and 8, Garner's third turnover of the night, ends the Trojan threat at their 28. Kass hits Scott Gray for 52 yards and All-Cap 7 running back Kuwon Eldridge takes it 31 yards for paydirt and 14-0 lead heading into the half. The Trojans finish the half actually out-gaining Millbrook in total yards 151 to 140.
After the Wildcats fail to convert on their first series of the second half, the Trojans take over deep in their own territory due to another ill-timed penalty of the punt. From the 15, McLaurin and Conyers bull their way to the 42 before a Milbrook pass interference moves the ball into Wildcat side of the field. McLaurin dashes 18 yards to put Garner on the Wildcat 26. But the third fumble (4th turnover) ends the drive. The 'Cats strike quickly with a 73 yard Kass-to-Micheal Thorton touchdown and a 21-0 lead with 5:43 to go in the quarter. The Trojans muster a first down on their next possession but the drive stalls and Millbrook takes over on their own 25. On their second play, Kass dashes 75 yards for another score and a 27-0 lead after the extra point is blocked.
Howell is pressured extensively all night as the Trojans cannot stop the Wildcat defensive line. He scramble 14 yards, followed a Conyers 8 yard dash but another dead ball personal foul forces third and long and Millbrook receives the punt at their 49. From there, Kass hits Malik Fair for a big 42 yarder. Eldridge take it in from 3 yard out for the final score of 34-0 with 11:39 to go in the game. The Trojans try to right the ship next week against Middle Creek, Friday night Aug. 29th on the road.
The shutout was the first of Coach Nelson Smith's tenure at Garner and stops a 77-game scoring streak for the Trojans.
| Garner | Millbrook | |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing | 38-160 | 22-172 |
| Passing | 10-16-97 | 5-19-162 |
| Penalties | 8-70 | 6-43 |
| First downs | 12 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
Rushing: Jeremy Conyers 14-90 yards, Connor McLaurin 9-52 yards, BG Howell 11-3 yards, Michael Brantley 2-10 yards, Jeremiah Davis 1-7 yards, Cody Woodall 1-(-2) yards
Passing: BG Howell 10-16-97 yards, INT
Receiving: Ian Hunter 4-54 yards, Brandon Byars 1-20 yards, Jeremy Conyers 2-16 yards, Connor McLaurin 2-7 yards
Technical issues resulted in a failed webcast for which we apologize. The extensive media on site resulted in broadcasting from a new location but we certainly expect to have it resolved by the JV game next Thursday. Appreciation is expressed to Time Warner Cable who will re-broadcast tonight's game at 10:30PM on Cable Channel 24 and again Saturday at 11AM. The terrific broadcast duo of Greg Mayer and Paul Doherty always do a great job. Also we thank 850 "The Buzz" and Drew Smith and Jerrod Brooks for their live broadcast and welcome them back soon. Thanks to 99.9 "The Fan" and The HighSchoolOT website for broadcasting their afternoon show live from Trojan Stadium.
Thank you again to Miss North Carolina and reigning Miss Garner, Amanda Watson for her performance at tonight's game. We wish her much success in the Miss America pagent in Las Vegas in January. Good luck Amanda!!!
Photos courtesy of Ken Hall Photography
Thank you Trojan Club supporter:
Ralph Smith, Your "Transmission Physician"