The Trojans are unable to contain Wildcat running back CJ Frederick, who runs for 224 yards and all three scores in the 20-13 win in front of an overflow home crowd at West Johnston. The loss is the Trojans (2-3) first GNRC loss ever and first conference loss since 2004.
Frederick leads a potent Wildcat running attack who compile 291 yards while holding the Trojans to just 91. The Trojans hold the Wildcats on their first possession and force a punt but the Trojans turn the ball back over on an interception. Taking over at their own 16, the Wildcats score on a pass over the middle that Frederick takes 76 yard for the score. The Trojans go three-and-out and the Wildcats take over at their own 45. On the first play of the second quarter, Frederick takes it the distance on first down for the 55 yard score and 14-0 lead.
The Wildcats' sky kick is taken by Brandon Byars and the Trojans take over at their own 43 but again fail to pick up a first down. West Johnston muffs the punt but is able to recover on their own four. Chaz Damon recovers a subsequent W.Johnston fumble and the Trojans have a shot from the Wildcat 13 yard line. From there, Ian Hunter scores on a 2 yard reverse, sprung by a terrific Byars block and BG Howell's kick cuts the lead to 14-7, where it stays until the half.
The Trojans show new life after the break. On their first possession, Howell hits Hunter for 19 yards and after Michael Brantley dives for 2, West Johnston is called for tugging on Byars jersey and the pass interference moves the ball down to the Wildcat 30. Connor McLaurin, on his only carry of the night after piling up 139 yards last week, dashes 24 yards. Brantley and Jeremy Conyers move it to the one where Howell dives in. The extra point is blocked and the Trojans trail 14-13.
The Wildcats give the Trojans a heavy dose of Frederick as they take over on their own 21. They move the ball to the Trojan 22, with Frederick gaining 46 of the yards. But the drive stalls, aided by a Wildcat holding call, one of their eight penalties for 85 yards and Michael Ellis sacks Lincoln Morton for a 7 yard loss to force 4th and 30. After the punt, the Trojans fail to pick up a first down for the fourth possesion of the night. The Wildcats return the punt to the Trojan 19 and after a holding call, its Frederick again from 29 yards out. The extra point fails on a snap over the holder's head to make the score 20-13.
The Trojans find some offense when Howell hits Hunter again for 27 yards to WJ. But another interception ends the drive with the Wildcats taking over at their own 9. A critical, 17-play, 8:37 consuming drive ends with a blocked field goal attempt and the Trojans have just 3:03 and no timeouts. The blocked kick is returned by Bryan Watkins to the WJ 43 but the Trojans are flagged for a sideline celebration and start their final drive from their own 42. The last ditch drive ends with an interception and the Trojans fall below .500 for the first time in 29 years and suffer consecutive regular season losses for the first time since 1983. The Trojans are back home next Friday to face GNRC rival Clayton.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| GAR | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 | - 13 |
| WJ | 7 | 7 | 6 | 0 | - 20 |
SCORING:
WJ: CJ Frederick 76 yard pass from Lincoln Morton, kick good
WJ: CJ Frederick 55 yard rush, kick good
GAR: Ian Hunter 2 yard rush, Howell kick
GAR: BG Howell 1 yard rush, kick blocked
WJ: Frederick 29 yard rush, kick failed
| GAR | WJ | |
|---|---|---|
| Rushes-yards | 27-91 | 37-291 |
| Comp-Att-Yards-Int | 7-13-44-3 | 6-10-118-0 |
| Total Yards | 135 | 409 |
| First downs | 6 | 11 |
| Penalties | 3-35 | 8-85 |
(photos by http://johnnyjohnson.smugmug.com/)
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