It took a while for the JV Trojans to get going on Tuesday night, but in the second half, Garner found their stride as they took control of the Greater Neuse River Conference by defeating Knightdale 52-31 at Trojan Stadium. Thomas Rains Photography
Garner struck first on the opening drive of the game as they marched the ball down the field on the Knightdale defense and after a 12 yard run by Raevon Smith the Trojans had the ball at the Knights 34 yard line. One play later Garner punched it in with a touchdown run from Greg Stewart.
However, Knightdale came right back with a touchdown drive of their own with the big play coming in the passing game when Marcel Johnson hit Marquavious Johnson for a 53 yard play down to the Trojan seven. The Knights punched it in three plays later when Johnson and Johnson hooked up again, but the point after was missed and Garner had a 7-6 lead with just over six minutes in the opening quarter.
On the ensuing kick-off, Garner fumbled and Knightdale recovered at their own 32. After slowly moving the ball on the Trojan defense, the Knights took the lead when Johnson hit Johsua James to put Knightdale up 12-7. When they tried a two-point conversion, the Garner defense stood up big and kept it a five point game.
Garner then marched the ball down the field using an 11 play drive which saw the Trojans convert on fourth down however, with the ball at the Knights 19 yard-line, the drive stalled. But, Tyler White drilled a 29 yard field goal to make it 12-10 Knightdale with 11:10 to play in the half.
The Knights then moved the ball down the field on Garner using an eight play drive to take an 18-10 lead. The big play on the drive came when James broke free for a 47 yard gain down to the two yard line and on the next play Knightdale punched it in, but again the two-point try was no good and the Trojans were still within eight.
The two teams play the field position game for their next several drives, and it looked like Garner would go to the locker room down at the half, but, Johnson's pass was picked off by Carrington Austin who ran it back 45 yards for the score. Garner then decided to try for two and made it when Vince Jefferies hit Anthony Galavotti in the end zone for the score and the game was tied at 18 with 32 seconds left in the half.
Knightdale got a great return on the ensuing kick-off and had the ball at the Garner 38 yard line. On the first play of the drive Johnson kept the football and as the first half buzzer sounded he scampered 38 yards for the touchdown and as the extra point when through Knightdale had a 25-18 lead at the break.
In the second half, the Trojans came out with a new focus and put the game out of reach. After Knightdale when three and out on their first drive of the half, Garner took the ball at the Knightdale 16 yard line after a shank punt.
Back to back running plays put the Trojans at the Knights four yard line before Smith scored his second touchdown of the night and tied the game at 25.
After Knightdale punted again, Garner took the ball at their own 46 and moved the ball on the Knights defense over the course of seven plays before a 21 yard touchdown run gave Garner a 32-25 lead.
On the final drive of the third quarter, the Trojans expanded the lead as Jefferies used a quarterback keeper to score from a yard out to make it 39-31 heading to the fourth quarter.
After a Knightdale touchdown cut the lead to eight at 39-31, Garner again used a diet of the running game as Smith and Stewart alternated plays before Stewart capped the drive from three yards out to make it 46-31.
Garner's final touchdown came on their final drive of the game as Smith took the ball down the field 45 yards for pay dirt and it was 52-31 Trojans. Knightdale ran out the clock and the Trojans could celebrate a Tuesday night victory.
The Trojans will be off this week and return home NEXT Thursday (October 21) when they host Southeast Raleigh at Trojan Stadium. Kick-off is slated for 7:00.
Second Half Rally Powers JV Past Knightdale
