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The Trojans sleep walk through the first quarter as Wakefield races to a 27-0 lead. But the Trojans rally with 28 unanswered to take a 28-27 lead before the Wolverines score with 6:10 to go and Wakefield wins the non-conference match-up 35-28. The loss drops Garner to 2-2 on the year.
Wakefield takes just 56 seconds to score with the opening possession as Drew Wilkinson hits Kevin Rojas for 71 yards who takes it the distance but its called back for a clipping penalty against the Wolverines. On the next snap, Wilkinson hits Vann McDuffie from 28 yards out. The PAT is blocked and its 6-0.
Trevor Shock picks off a BG Howell pass and the Wolverines take over at the Garner 29. Wilkinson throws his second score of the night to Nigel King and a 13-0 Wakefield lead. Garner turns the ball right back over with a fumble on 2nd down and another short field for the Wolverines. Wakefield goes the 54 yards in 8 plays for a 20-0 lead with 5:39 to go in the first. The Trojans third turnover in three possessions is an interception by David Richardson who takes it back 31 yards for a 27-0 Wolverine lead. To this point, the Trojans had run just 6 offensive plays, gaining 13 yards.
The Trojans right the ship somewhat holding Wakefield scoreless in the second quarter, but barely. Wakefield drives 73 yards to the Garner three yard line, the key play being a Wilkinson-to-Richardson 31 yard hookup. But Carl Redd stymies the drive with a fumble recovery on the Trojan three to stop a potential score and breathe some life into Garner. What followed was a 97 yard, 9 play drive for the Trojans only score of the half. The Trojans revert to the ground game with Connor McLaurin and Jeremy Conyers alternating big carries. McLaurin gains 34 yards on 3 carries and Michael Brantley 33, including the final two with 10:43 to go in the half. Howell's kick makes it 27-7 at the half.
The huge first period gives Wakefield a 293 to 201 total yard advantage for the half with 97 gained on their scoring drive. Wilkinson passes for 235 yards in the half on 11 of 16 completions.
The Trojans sense of urgency shows early as the take over on their own 21. Facing third and 20, Wakefield is flagged for pass interference prolonging the drive. McLaurin bulls his way for a punishing 4 yards followed by a Conyers 22 yard scamper into Wolverine territory. Howell hits Brandon Byars over the middle for 28 yards down to the Wakefield 16. Conyers moves it to the one where Brantley dives in to cut the lead to 27-14. The Trojans force a Wolverine punt on the ensuing possession and Garner starts on their own 19. Conyers reels off 18 yard on consecutive carries, then Howell hits Josh Brooks for 33 yards, his first catch of the evening. Jeremiah Davis dashes 11 yards, followed by Conyers for seven. McLaurin takes it the final twelve, scoring from a yard out with 2:08 to go in the third and narrow the gap to 27-21.
Redd blasts the Wakefield back on first down, forcing a fumble which Michael Ellis rumbles 29 yards for the touchdown and the Trojans lead 28-21. Wakefield takes the kick at their own 25. Wilkinson hits Jared Crabtree for 11 yards, and following an incompletion, the Trojans are whistled for a late hit personal foul, moving the ball to the Garner 49, after a strange spot. Chaz Damon sacks Wilkinson for a seven yard loss, essentially killing the drive and Wakefield punts the ball back with just 10 seconds to go in the very productive third quarter.
The Garner drive stalls despite a Wakefield pass interference call, negated by Trojans penalties setting up a 3rd and 20. Ian Hunter, who managed only 17 yards receiving on the night, turns defender to break up a likely interception and set up the punt. Wakefield takes over at their own 23. Wilkinson hits Alex Starnes for 33 yards and then for 14. A snap over Wilkinson's head loses 9 yards, followed by an incompletion setting up a critical 3rd and 19. Wilkinson's pass is tipped away by Terrell Sanders but the back judge rules it interference, despite minimal if any contact, perserving the drive with Wakefield first down on the Garner 27. Wilkinson hits McDuffie for the go ahead score and the 2 point conversion makes it 35-28 with 6:02 to go.
The Trojans final drive starts at their own 22, with McLaurin powering 9 yards, then 3 to move the chains. A Wakefield pass interference, holding Brooks on the pattern, followed by Davis for 15 yards to the Wolverine 41. After McLaurin busts up the middle for 3 yards, Howell somehow escapes a certain sack, scrambling to hit Brooks for 10 yards and a first down on the Wakefield 29. McLaurin sweeps left for 16 to the thirteen yard line. But the comeback ends with a Trojan fumble and Wakefield takes over at their own 8 with 2:45 to go.
The final series is mired in confusion when the Wakefield is called for a motion penalty on 3rd and three but 19 seconds run off the clock, forcing Coach Smith to call the final Trojan timeout with just 1:11 to go in the game. After another Wolverine penalty, their 12th of the night, Redd drops David Gibson for a 5 yard loss forcing the punt with just 10 seconds to go. The Trojans take over at the Wakefield 38 with 6.6 seconds to go but the final pass attempt to Brooks misses and the Wolverines escape with the win, 35-28.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| GAR | 0 | 7 | 21 | 0 | - 28 |
| WAKE | 27 | 0 | 0 | 8 | - 35 |
SCORING:
WAKE: McDuffie 28 yard pass from Wilkinson, kick blocked
WAKE: King 17 yard pass from Wilkinson, Sade kick
WAKE: Richardson 17 yard pass from Wilkinson, Sade kick
WAKE: Richardson 31 Interception return, Sade kick
GAR: Brantley 2 yard rush, Howell kick
GAR: Brantley 1 yard rush, Howell kick
GAR: McLaurin 1 yard rush, Howell kick
GAR: Ellis 29 fumble return, Howell kick
WAKE: McDuffie 27 yard pass, 2 pt conversion
| GAR | WAKE | |
|---|---|---|
| Rushes-yards | 51-357 | 23-46 |
| Comp-Att-Yards-Int | 6-25-93-2 | 16-26-280-0 |
| Total Yards | 450 | 326 |
| First downs | 22 | 17 |
| Penalties | 10-105 | 12-130 |
(photos by Johnny Johnson)
RUSHING: Connor McLaurin 16-139 yards, TD; Jeremy Conyers 17-109 yards; Michael Brantley 10-75 yards, 2TD's; Jeremiah Davis 4-37 yards
The Trojan Webcast team expresses sincere appreciation to Wolverine Club members Kevin DeLillo and Brian Pate and Wakefield AD Dexter Cooley for their accomodations and cooperation in delivering tonight's broadcast. We appreciate their efforts to accomodate our visit and provide you Trojan Football.
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