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The Trojan Sports Network crew of Chris Edwards ('06) and Dustin Williams ('99) bring you all the play-by-play action!
With Homecoming Queen Tamirrah Davis and King DaMetrius Upchurch looking on, the Trojans get two TD runs from Michael Brantley and shut the Spartans out in the second half of the 28-7 win. Kadedra Jacobs and Hunter Brown take the Princess and Prince title and the Senior Class of 2009 are crowned the champions of the float competition. The Trojan Seniors from the football team, marching band and cheerleaders were recognized in pre-game ceremonies. Miss Samantha Richmond, a 5th grader from Yates Mill Elementary, renders a stirring performance of the National Anthem.
The Trojans start slow, again, but soon start to show a little of the swagger Garner football has enjoyed for more than 25 years. Garner gets on the board first on Ian Hunter's 13 yard reverse, with BG Howell making textbook fake, for a 6-0 lead. Jeremy Conyers picks up 22 yards on the 8-play, 61 yard drive that consumes 4 minutes of the first quarter. The drive is aided by a SSS pass interference call. The Spartans answer with a methodical 17 play drive which ends the first and stretches into the second quarter. DJ Bunn and Jarocka Jones pile up 15 and 38 yards respectively of the 80 yard drive, with Bunn's 19 yard TD run negated by a Spartan holding call. Anthony Rouse caps the drive with a 6 yard run and Henry Johnson's PAT gives SSS the 7-6 lead.
The teams trade stalled drives and Garner's next possession ends but barely when Josh Brooks is ruled out-of-bounds on a terrific catch at the SSS 40. Howell's punt gives the Spartans the ball at their own 44 and proceed to drive to the Trojan 18 as the half is winding down. Aston Anglin-Stone pressures Rouse to incomplete pass and Connor McLaurin nails him for an eight yard loss as the half ends. Statistically, the half shaped up to a defensive struggle with Garner managing a mere 43 yards of offense and the Spartans only 134.
The Trojan fans, which included the reunion Class of 1988, were treated to halftime festivities emceed by Lauren Otto and Curtis Reed. The week-long fun and games were recapped and culminated in the crowning of Miss Davis and Mr. Upchurch.
The Spartans first snap of the second half ends with Terrence Jones recovering a Spartan fumble and the Trojans take over at the SSS 26. Four straight Conyers rushes moves the ball down to the five and Brantley bulls it in for the score. Howell hits Brooks, who makes a spectacular one-handed grab for the two point conversion and its 14-7 Trojans. The Spartans start at their 18 and go no where before punting back to the Trojans. Hunter returns the kick to the SSS 35 and the Trojans are looking at another short field. Howell hits Brooks for 28 yards for first and goal. Conyers sweeps for 3 yards and Hunter musters 3 to take it to the goal line where Conyers dives for the touchdown. Howell's kick makes it 21-7.
The Spartans get a big return from Jarocka Jones, who rambles 30 yards with the kick to the Trojan 45. A bad snap creates a nine yard loss which Bunn gains back 8. The third and 11 pass falls incomplete and the Spartans are forced to punt. Another poor snap forces Henry Johnson to elude the Trojan rush but comes up short of the first down. The Trojans fail to take advantage of the break and turn the ball back over on an interception deep in Spartan territory by Junior Bryant. The Spartans are able to drive into Trojan territory but a fumble kills the drive at the 41. On first down, Howell scrambles 19 yards and Conyers picks up 5 of his 54 yards for the night as the third quarter ends.
The Trojans continue the drive when Howell hits Conyers on a 17 yard screen to the Spartan 20 yard line. Brantley takes it the final yards on two carries scoring on his second 5 yard TD run for the final 28-7 score. Let's give a nod to the Trojan defensive stalwarts Carl Redd, Chaz Damon and Jonathon Stevenson who demonstated extra effort this evening. The Trojans move to 5-3 on the year and more importantly 3-1 in the GNRC. They head into the bye week on a 3-game win streak and are next in action two weeks for a critical showdown at SE Raleigh (6-2 and 3-1 in the GNRC).
pictures courtesy of http://johnnyjohnson.smugmug.com
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| SSS | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | - 7 |
| GAR | 6 | 0 | 15 | 7 | - 28 |
SCORING:
GAR: Ian Hunter 13 yard reverse, kick blocked
SSS: Anthony Rouse 6 yard run, Henry Johnson kick
GAR: Michael Brantley 5 yard run, Josh Brooks pass from BG Howell for 2pts
GAR: Jeremy Conyers 1 yard run, Howell kick
GAR: Brantley 5 yard run, Howell kick
| GAR | SSS | |
|---|---|---|
| Rushes-yards | 32-143 | 42-167 |
| Comp-Att-Yards-Int | 5-13-67-1 | 1-6-21-0 |
| Total Yards | 210 | 188 |
| First downs | 12 | 12 |
| Penalties | 1-5 | 5-40 |
RUSHING: Jeremy Conyers 14-51 yards, TD; Michael Brantley 9-44 yards, 2TD; B.G. Howell 2-19 yards; Ian Hunter 2-15 yards, TD; Jeremiah Davis 3-12 yards; Brandon Parks 1-3 yards;
Cody Woodall 1- (-1)
PASSING: BG Howell 5-13-67, INT
RECEIVING: Josh Brooks 2-38; Jeremy Conyers 1-16; Ian Hunter 1-11; Brandon Parks 1-2
The Trojans welcomed the GSHS Class of 1988 back to Trojan Stadium tonight and best wishes for a great reunion tomorrow. A thank you to the NC State Fair who provided t-shirts and admission tickets for our 50-50 raffle.
Trojan fans, be sure to upload your 2008 Homecoming pictures and videos at Garner.MyNC.com. Share your memories of a lifetime with your community and you could be featured on the NBC17 "You Tuesday"!!
The Trojan Club commends the Student Council including President Jordan Hammond and faculty advisor Ms. Cottengim for a fantastic Homecoming Week. Job well done!!!
Thank you Trojan Club supporter:
David Hunter State Farm
(919) 779-4880
