Garner's defense was in step to start the second half, forcing two turnovers and pinning Smithfield-Selma deep in its zone after some bad snaps. The Trojans offense used the short field to its advantage giving Garner a 28-7 win over SSS in Greater Neuse River 4-A conference play Friday night.

Garner (5-3, 3-1 conference), replacing three key seniors from last year, has played well of late.

"I'm really proud of our play the last three weeks," coach Nelson Smith said.

Fullback Michael Brantley had two rushing touchdowns in the second half, and tailback Jeremy Conyers added another as the Trojans scored 22 unanswered points after the Spartans posted a 7-6 halftime lead.

On the first play from scrimmage to start the third quarter, the Trojans' Terrence Jones recovered an SSS fumble at the Spartans' 26-yard line. Five plays later Brantley rushed up the middle for the score. The two-point conversion gave the Trojans a 14-7 lead.

The Spartans (4-4, 1-3) never got back on track, totaling only 55 yards of offense from scrimmage in the second half.

"I think our depth showed in the second half," Spartans coach Anthony Barbour said.

Despite missing a number of starters to injury, the Spartans effectively moved the ball on the ground and controlled the game clock in the first half.

After Garner's Ian Hunter's 13-yard TD run in the first quarter, the Spartans answered on Anthony Rouse's 6-yard keeper for the score capping a 13-play drive that took 7:29.

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