Garner didn't begin the season as the top-ranked high school football team in the area, but the Trojans held the top spot for eight weeks before someone - me - dropped them to second behind Leesville Road, which is still perched atop The News & Observer rankings.
Garner had basically dropped itself from the top spot when it fell behind Harnett Central by 16 points in the third period on Oct. 28. Garner rallied to a 44-23 victory, but it appeared to me that the team had lost focus.
Ten weeks into the season, I thought Leesville was the better team.
I'm not so sure now.
Leesville has continued to play impressively. The team is averaging 54 points per game and has easily handled a good Wake Forest-Rolesville team two of the last three Fridays, winning 41-16 and 49-20.
But wow, what Garner did to a good Wilmington Laney team was also impressive - scoring 55 points and coasting most of the second half to a 55-35 win.
One, two. Two, one. How do you pick?
Luckily, the relative merits of Garner and Leesville will be settled on the field Friday night when No. 1 Leesville plays at No. 2 Garner. The Trojans are at home because both teams entered the playoffs undefeated and Garner won a N.C. High School Athletic Association drawing to be the top seed in its pod.
Garner and Leesville have looked like the area's two best teams for a while.
Hinging on big plays
I think Leesville is going to win, and here's why:
The Pride's defense doesn't allow many big plays, and Garner has made a ton of them.
Leesville's offense has not been slowed down all season. Sophomore Braxton Berrios has been unstoppable since moving to quarterback during the last three weeks, and runner D.J. Hunt probably is better than any running back that Garner has faced.
Leesville has a great offensive line.
No, it's the runners
But on second thought, forget all that. Garner is going to win, and here's why:
Leesville Road has not seen a set of runners as good as Garner's Demetrius Fairley and Juwan Moye. And Garner has a great offensive line.
Garner is at home, and the "Blue Crew," the Garner student section, should be worth some points.
Braxton Berrios is great at quarterback, but when Leesville lost former QB Austin Berrios to injury, Leesville lost one of its best athletes. In a close game, one great athlete could be the difference.
Wilmington Laney was a great team and Laney could do little to slow down Garner.
But I've changed my mind again. Leesville will win. Leesville played a tougher regular-season schedule, going against Wake Forest-Rolesville and Wakefield.
No wait. Garner will win. That Wakefield team that Leesville nipped 67-58, lost to Laney 27-23. Garner overpowered Laney, plus don't forget that Garner beat Middle Creek, 35-21. Middle Creek is playing in the third round on Friday night.
But running quarterbacks have been effective against Garner, and Braxton Berrios is an outstanding runner.
Leesville Road and Garner are two outstanding teams. I'm glad they are playing. I'm curious to see which one is better.
