Last Friday, Garner played in the second round of 4A football playoffs, facing off against the Middle Creek Mustangs for the second time this season. Tension was high in the student sections as the two teams went head to head in a close game, but the Trojans came out on top 35-20.

Garner took the opening kickoff, but gave up the ball on a punt after three failed attempts for a first down. The Mustangs connected to find the end zone first for a 7-0 lead.

Garner junior running back Juwan Moye picked up a first down on an 11-yard screen pass on the ensuing drive, but the Trojans soon punted the ball away.

The Trojans defense stuffed a screen pass and then batted down a ball to force a Mustang 4th and 12 and a punt.

Trojan quarterback Lemond Johnson attempted a couple rushes, but the Mustang defense held the line, setting up another punt for the Trojans. However, an illegal substitution gave Garner an automatic first down.

Looking at 3rd down, Johnson passed over the middle, but the intended receiver knocked the ball with his toe and a Mustang defender took away the ball for a Middle Creek 1st down.

After a couple back and forth punts, Garner recovered a fumble. On the next play, the Mustangs intercepted Johnson’s forced pass once again. With 5:41 left in the second quarter, Moye received a reverse to the left side and walked into the end zone, tying the game at 7-7.

The Mustangs pulled together a nice drive to retaliate, scoring another touchdown.

The Mustangs were up 13-7 to end the half after a missed PAT.

Garner opened the second half getting farther behind after a 48-yard touchdown pass by the Mustangs put the score at 20-7. Garner fumbled on the next drive, but quickly cleaned up their act.

Garner stopped the Mustangs on 4th down, giving the Trojans the ball on their own 45 and started pounding down the field.

Senior running back AJ Clanton broke free for a second Trojan touchdown to make it 20-14.

After a punt and the Trojans taking over at their own 20, they opened up their play book by running a trick play - tossing it off to Clanton and he would pass it to Moye who would run the ball in for a touchdown to gain the lead 21-20.

The next drive for the Mustangs ended up in a three and out. Clanton took off for a 58-yard touchdown that put the Trojans further ahead 28-20.

To cap off the game, Moye took the ball in from 36 yards out after an interception from the defense.

Garner will have to bring it together as they face off against Wake Forest-Roseville at Wake Forrest this Friday.