Trojans hold on

Garner stymies late Southeast Raleigh comeback try

GARNER -- Southeast Raleigh's comeback attempt came up just short Friday night when Garner cornerback Tony Morgan picked off a pass at the Trojans' 11-yard line with just under a minute to play in Garner's 24-19 win.

After Logan Morgan's 33-yard field goal, Garner (9-0, 5-0 Greater Neuse River) led 24-6 with 4:39 left in the third.

But from that point, Bulldogs sophomore quarterback Gabe Henderson led his team to two touchdowns, and the Garner offense found the going tough against the Bulldogs' defense.

"I told our guys that if we were in the game with nine minutes to play we'd win it," said Southeast coach Daniel Finn, whose team trailed 24-12 and was moving the ball at that point. "And when we were in the game, I thought we would win it."

Elliot Smalls capped 94-yard drive with a 65-yard scoring dash to cut the lead to 24-12 with 3:01 left in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs followed that score with a 72-yard drive. Henderson ran the final 12 yards for a touchdown and suddenly Garner's lead was 24-19 with 5:59 to play.

"You've got to give Southeast a lot of credit," Garner coach Nelson Smith said. "In the second half they were able to shut down our running game, then Smalls broke his run, and their quarterback played very well. Tony [Morgan]'s played well all season and fortunately made the big play."

Southeast, which lost defensive leader Demetrius Hartsfield on the opening kickoff, stopped Garner again and took over at the 50, with 3:43 left to play.

On a fourth-and-3 from the 27, Henderson completed a pass inside the 10, but the play was called back for illegal procedure. On the next play Garner was called for pass interference. Southeast had first down at the 17.

After a 6-yard loss, Henderson rifled the ball to teammate Victor Davis, but Morgan was there to wrestle the ball away to clinch the win with 47 seconds to play.

"We were in man coverage and I saw him release the ball," Morgan said. "It was coming right at me and the receiver cut in front of me to make the catch. We both got our hands on the ball, and I was able to snatch it away. We just had to make a play."

Garner built its 21-6 halftime lead on an 11-yard run by quarterback Kameron Smith, a 2-yard run by Darrice Payton and a 20- yard touchdown pass from Smith to Josh Brooks, who made an outstanding catch over two defenders.