WEB CAST.
East Wake and Garner played just another ho-hum typical Garner/East Wake football game Friday night at Trojan Stadium. The Warriors struck first and took a 6-0 lead after the first possession of the game.
Garner answered with a field goal to make it 6-3 before taking at 10-6 lead on a 20 yard touchdown reception by Juwan Moye. After another field goal by Conner Torruella the Trojans held a 13-6 lead, which would be the halftime score.
On the first possession of the second half, East Wake was looking to get back in the game, but Isiah Moore had other ideas as he picked off the Chris Pernell pass and took it 33 yards to the house for a 20-6 Garner lead.
Garner would eventually stretch the lead to 27-6 when they scored on touchdown pass to Brian Watkins. But, East Wake would answer as they struck for a quick touchdown to make it 27-13. The Warriors then recovered back to back onside kicks and scored on both possessions to tie the game at 27 all and head into overtime.
This was the first time Garner has played a overtime game since they defeated Millbrook in round one of last year's State Playoffs. East Wake got the ball first in the overtime period and after a incomplete pass, Chris Pernell went to the air where the pass was picked off by Justin Chavis to end the drive.
All Garner needed was a field goal and the Trojans were forced to rely on Freshman quarterback, Lemond Johnson, after starting quarterback, Cody Woodall, was injured during the game.
After back to back running plays got Garner inside the five on third and goal, the Trojans tried to center the ball for the game winning field goal, but the Trojans fumbled the ball but recovered setting the stage for Connor Torruella.
For the second time this year, Torruella would be the hero as he nailed a 26 yard field goal from the left hash and the quick was just inside the right upright and Garner won 30-27.
With the win, Garner has secured no worse than a third place finish in the GNRC. The Trojans (6-4; 4-2) will close the regular season at Harnett Central next Friday night.
Sandy Council & Victor Hocutt
P.O. Box 818, Garner, NC 27529
919-662-7898
