WEB CAST.
In a game filled with offense, it was the Garner defense that came up with the key stops to lift the Trojans to a 55-35 win over Wilmington Laney in the second round of the 4-AA State Playoffs.
Garner (13-0) scored on the opening drive of the game on a touchdown run from Demetrius Fairley. But, that lead wouldn't last long as Laney (8-4) answered right back moving down the field through the air before Mike Sheehan rolled into the end zone to knot the score at seven all.
The Trojans responded with a 18-yard run again from Fairley, however, on the ensuing drive, the Bucs had an answer and scored on a Ryan Lilley two-yard run to make it 14-14 mid way through the opening quarter.
On their next drive, Garner responded as Vince Jefferies hit Anthony Tucker on a fade to the back of the end zone for a 20-14 lead for the home squad. Thanks to that missed extra point, the score for Laney on the next drive gave the Bucs a 21-20 lead.
After Garner scored on a Juwan Moye touchdown run and the Trojans added the two-point conversion it was 28-21, and that's where the defense stepped up.
Laney, on fourth down and four elected to go for it with the ball resting on the Trojan 44-yard line. The Bucs would go to the air but it was knocked away and with that defensive stop, the momentum swung back to the Trojans who were able to run to pay dirt on their next offensive drive to make it 35-21 and the men of Troy never looked back.
Garner would score once more before the break as Jefferies hit Moye from three-yards out and a 42-21 Trojan lead at the break.
The Trojans first score of the second half came early in the third quarter when Fairley found a hole and rumbled 52-yards for the score and a 49-21 lead.
Garner lit the lamp one final time as Gavin Wilson picked up his second interception of the year and took back to the Laney two yard line, one play later, Moye capped the scoring for the Trojans.
Laney added two late scores but couldn't come back as Garner advances to the third round of the state playoffs for the second straight year with a 55-35 win over the Bucs.
Garner will return to Trojan Stadium next week when they host Leesville Road, kick-off is slated for 7:30.
Trojans out last Laney; Advance to third round
