JV Trojans Drop Close one to Southeast Raleigh

It was a defensive battle at Trojan Stadium on Thursday night at Trojan Stadium as the JV Trojans welcomed Southeast Raleigh to town for a key conference tilt, unfortunately for the Trojans they couldn't find any offensive rhythm as the Bulldogs defeated Garner 12-7.

After the Trojans couldn't convert on their opening drive of the night, Southeast started from their own 24 yard line and used just three plays to find the end zone using a 64 yard touchdown run to get on the board first. However, the point after was no good so it was just a six point lead early in the first quarter.

After a back and forth first quarter which saw long drives and turnovers, Southeast still had a six point lead. However, on their second drive of the second quarter, the Trojans found the end zone. They began the drive at their own 40 yard line and used just three plays for their first touchdown of the night as Raevon Smith rumbled 42 yards for the score and gave the Trojans a 7-6 lead after Tyler White's point after.

On the ensuing drive for Southeast Raleigh, they used 18 plays to march the ball down the field and had a first and goal on the Trojan nine yard line with just one second left in the half, and on the final play of the second quarter the Bulldogs failed to convert and the teams went to the locker room with Garner leading 7-6.

After another long drive by the Bulldogs to begin the third quarter, the Garner defense held however the offense couldn't find any momentum on the offensive side of the ball and after three it was still 7-6 Garner.

Southeast had the first drive of the game's final quarter and used seven plays to take the ball down the field before another 42 yard touchdown run gave them at 12-7 lead. Southeast elected to attempt a two point try but the Garner defense was solid and with just over eight minutes left in the game, the Trojans still had a shot.

On the ensuing drive, Garner used a steady diet of the run to move the ball to the Bulldog 28 yard line and on fourth down and seven, the Trojans went to the air as Vince Jefferies hit Brayden Sims for a six yard completion, but Garner was just short of the marker and Southeast got the ball back.

Garner's defense again came up big forcing a three and out for Southeast and have great field position following a punt and the Bulldog 40 yard line. But, on the first play of the drive, Jefferies was sacked and the ball came loose and found the arms of a waiting Southeast Raleigh defender. The Bulldogs then ran out the clock to come away with the 12-7 win.

The Trojans return to action next Thursday when the host East Wake at Trojan Stadium with kick-off set for 7:00.