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Play-by-play action brought to you by Jonathon Rand ('05) and Jimmy Kelly ('79)!
The game was broadcast by Time Warner Cable for replay on Channel 1234. Paul Doherty and Larry Junkin bring you the action.
SE Raleigh escapes with the win on Dominque Jones 76-yard interception return for the winning score with 2:01 to play. The loss drops the Trojans (5-4, 3-2 in the GNRC) effectively out of the conference title for the first time in 5 years. In control with a 34-28 advantage deep in Bulldog territory, the Trojans elect to pass allowing Jones the opportunity for the winning score. The loss negates a stellar knight by fullback Michael Brantley who piles up 127 yards and two rushing touchdowns. The Bulldogs top the Trojans for the first time ever in a regular season game.
The game was rescheduled from Friday due to substantial rain in the Triangle area and played on a very cold October night, with temperatures high 30's. Perhaps a factor as the Trojans fumble their first two kick offs but are able to recovery each, but deep in their own side of the field. Winning the toss, Garner takes the ball first, effectively driving to the Bulldog 24. The 7 play drive is highlighted by BG Howell's 3-3 passing for 53 yards, spreading the catches to Ian Hunter, Josh Brooks and Jeremy Conyers. But the drive stalls and Howell's 34 yard field goal attempt is just wide. SE Raleigh takes over on their 20, with Kevin Howell dashing 35 yards after a Gabe Henderson incompletion. After a 5 yard procedure call against the Bulldogs, Henderson hits Terrance Branch from 35 yards, who fumbles it into the end zone and recovers for the score. Robbie Holliday's PAT kick makes it 7-0.
The teams trade possessions and the Trojans third series ends with a lost fumble at the SE Raleigh 20. After Kevin Howell picks up three for the Dogs, Terrance Branch, on a reverse, hits Keith Tucker for a 16 yard score and a 14-0 lead with 2:54 to go in the quarter. The Bulldogs keep the momentum through the end of the quarter with Garner losing four yards on their possesion and set to punt. BG Howell booms a 55-yard punt to reverse the poor field position, and the Bulldogs start on their own 30. The Bulldogs move it out to the Garner 41 on consecutive running plays before Connor McLaurin and Chaz Damon converge at Howell for a 3 yard loss. After Henderson hits Jamar Sattererwhite for no gain, Damon recovers a Henderson fumble to give the Trojans the ball at their own 42.
Howell hits Conyers for a two yard gain and a Bulldog late hit moves the ball into SE Raleigh territory. Howell hits Brandon Byars over the middle for a 26 yard slant pattern to the Bulldog 15 yard line. The drive is in jeopardy after a Garner holding call and an incompletion, Brantley picks up 3 yards, setting up 3rd and 20. But Howell catches a streaking Brooks from 26-yards out for the score and the lead is cut to 14-7. Heath Mallette returns the ensuring kick 69 yards but a Bulldog holding call brings the play back. A Garner dead ball personal foul on the same play, starts the Bulldog drive on the Garner 35. Ronald Moore makes a great defensive play on the first down pass and Jonathon Stevenson bats away Henderson's second down attempt. On third and 10 Henderson hits Satterwhite for 14 but he fumbles and Pat Monahan recovers for the Trojans on the 20.
Brantley takes over taking a Howell flair pass 28 yards and follows with a bruising 11 yard run to the SE 19. Garner calls a reverse pass of their own, but Brooks misses Hunter deep. Conyers drives it down to the 9, where Howell hits Brooks again for the score and adds the PAT for a 14-14 tie with 3:24 to go in the half. The Bulldogs answer with a score of their own, driving 72 yards as the half ends, with Terrance Walker picking up 52 yards rushing. Howell dives it in from 2 yards out with 21 seconds to go and the Bulldogs go in at the half up 21-14.
The Bulldogs fumble the kick as the second half opens, with James Skillern getting the recovery at the SE Raleigh 30. The drive it in from there with Conyers getting the 3 yard score just over two minutes in and knotting the game again at 21. The Trojan defense forces a Bulldog punt but the second Trojan fumble on the kick puts the Bulldogs in business at the Garner 25. But another effective stand allows but 4 yards and Holliday's 31 yard attempt is wide and the score stays tied. After the Trojans fail to gain a first down, Ronald Moore picks off Henderson's first down attempt at the 44. Howell passes to Brooks who make an fantastic twisting grab but is ruled out of bounds. But a Byars 3 yard reception and Brantley 8 yard dash keeps the drive alive. Conyers picks up 5 and Hunter six on a Howell screen. From the 24, Brantley explodes right up the middle for paydirt and the Trojans first lead of the night 28-21.
McLaurin who played inspired defense all evening, drops Satterwhite for big loss on a backward pass and the Bulldogs punt just 28 yards, allowing the Trojans to start at the Bulldog 32. The critical possession hinges on a McLaurin 2 yard run on third and three, but Garner is called for TWO personal fouls and the short yardage becomes third and 31 as the third quarter ends. Remarkably its the Trojans first (two) penalty of the half. But the Trojan defense cover the punt at the fifteen. Howell is dropped for a six yard loss by Cordero Hunter with substantial pursuit by Damon and McLaurin. After a Henderson incompletion, McLaurins breaks through for a sack, which Jonathon Stevenson covers at the Bulldog six. Brantley dives in 39 seconds later for a 34-21 Garner lead. Again the Bulldogs answer. Henderson's shuffle pass is taken 15 yards by Howell and then he hits Tucker for 17 yards to the Garner 45. Satterwhite drops a wide open pass before Kendall Moore picks up two and Henderson misses on third down. The Bulldogs fleeting hopes are revived with a pass interference call on fourth and 7. The ball is moved to the Trojan 29. On a Kevin Howell 11-yard run, the Trojans are hit with another personal foul, their 4th of the half. From the six, Henderson scrambles in to cut the lead to 34-28 with 7:10 to go in the game.
Jeremiah Davis returns the kick to the 19 and the Trojans go on a methodical 9-play drive, all runs by6 Brantley and Conyers, driving to the SE 18, with just 2:07 to go. Inexplicably, the Trojans go for the pass and Jones grabs the ball as Howell is hit and rambles 76 yards for the tying score and Holliday converts the winning PAT. A coaches decision that is certain to be questioned for years to come.
Despite Hunter's 29 yard return to the 43, the Trojans final drive ends with them losing 4 yards, while the SE band plays throughout the entire series. The Bulldogs benefit from conference opponent W.Johnston's first loss of the year to set up a showdown with the Wildcats for the conference title later this season. The Trojans stretch of 8 titles in 9 years ends.
(pictures courtesy of http://johnnyjohnson.smugmug.com)
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| GAR | 0 | 14 | 7 | 13 | - 34 |
| SER | 14 | 7 | 0 | 14 | - 35 |
SCORING:
SER-Terrance Branch fumble recovery in the end zone, Robbie Holliday kick
SER-Keith Tucker 16 yard pass from Terrance Branch, Holliday kick
GAR-Josh Brooks 26 yard pass from BG Howell, Howell kick
GAR-Brooks 9 yard pass from Howell, Howell kick
SER-Kevin Howell 2 yard rush, Holliday kick
GAR-Jeremy Conyers 3 yard rush, Howell kick
GAR-Michael Brantley 24 yard rush, Howell kick
GAR-Brantley 2 yard rush, kick blocked
SER-Henderson 6 yard rush, Holliday kick
SER-Dominque Jones 76 interception return, Holliday kick
| GAR | SER | |
|---|---|---|
| Rushes-yards | 35-192 | 27-151 |
| Comp-Att-Yards-Int | 15-28-142-1 | 12-23-135-0 |
| Total Yards | 334 | 286 |
| First downs | 16 | 12 |
| Penalties | 8-105 | 8-69 |
RUSHING: Michael Brantley 15-127 yards, 2TD's; Jeremy Conyers 17-65 yards, TD
PASSING: BG Howell 15-27-142 yards, 2TD's, INT; Josh Brooks 0-1-0
RECEIVING: Brooks 3-32 yards, 2TD's; Conyers 5-25 yards; Brandon Byars 2-29 yards; Ian Hunter 2-25 yards; Brantley 1-28 yards
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