Garner Closes Regular Season in Fine Fashion

WEB CAST.

Garner concluded the high school football regular season on Friday night and wrapped up the Greater Neuse River Conference championship with a 56-14 road victory over Harnett Central.

Garner (11-0, 7-0) wasted no time getting on the board on its first possession of the night, Tyler Hinton broke free and rumbled in for a 23-yard score and an early seven point lead. That lead grew to two scores on the Trojans next possession when Raevon Smith got in on the action scoring on a 35 yard scamper and a 14-0 advantage for Garner. 

Still clicking on all cylinders, Smith found pay dirt on the next Garner drive this time from 10 yards out and a 21-0 lead. After the offense sputtered, Brighton Hudson fired his first career touchdown pass to Terry Gilman for a 28-0 lead.

On the ensuing kick-off, Harnett Central (3-7, 2-5) got on the board when Anfrenee Hunter found a seem down the sideline and bolted to the end zone for a 75 yard score and a 28-7 Garner lead after the opening quarter.

Unfortunately for Central they could not slow down the Trojan offense as Garner answered right back with another Hudson touchdown pass, this time to Armani Lanier and a 35-7 lead.

Following a Central punt, Nyheim Hines found some open field and blistered the Central defense for a 54 yard spurt and a 42-7 advantage.

The men of Troy found the end zone once more during the first half as Hudson connected with Brayden Sims for his the third touchdown pass of the night for the sophomore and a 49-7 Garner lead at the break.

In the second half, the contest slowed as each team added another score, for garner it was a Dakota Labau touchdown run from five yards out for a 56-7 lead.

Central added a late touchdown for the final 56-14 margin.

For Garner they lock up the 18 conference championship of Nelson Smith's career.

The Trojans will return home next week at 7:30 in the opening round of the 4-AA State Playoffs when they will host Athens Drive at Trojan Stadium.

Additionally, it was announced on Saturday afternoon that Garner would be the number one seed in the 4-AA east bracket meaning the Trojans will have homefield advantage through the regional final.