GARNER - Millbrook's offense passed and ran through, around and over Garner on Friday night in the second round of the state 4-AA football playoffs.

Garner (12-1), the No. 1 seed in the East, fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter, then rallied to take a 35-34 lead in the third quarter. But the Trojans never could stop the ninth-seeded Wildcats (10-3).

Millbrook scored on four of its five possessions in the first half. In the second half, Millbrook punted on its first possession, then scored on the next three to the build an insurmountable lead.

"Millbrook has gotten better every week, and right now they've got a real good football team," Garner coach Nelson Smith said.

"But I was real proud of our kids. To fall behind 21-0 and come back and take the lead showed our guys played hard the whole time."

The Millbrook offense centered around quarterback Brian Kass, receiver Jamal Williams and running back Kuwon Eldridge. Kass completed 9 of 15 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran 32 yards for a TD and scampered for a crucial two-point conversion.

Eldridge rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns, while Williams did a little of everything. He caught eight passes for 215 yards, including touchdown plays of 69 and 60 yards. He blocked an extra-point attempt and starred in the defensive secondary.

"Kass made great decisions the whole game, Eldridge has had a great year, and Jamal Williams is the best football player I've ever coached," said Millbrook coach Clarence Inscore, who also lauded the play of offensive linemen Zack Stevens, Adam Walton, Tyler Floyd, Sam Stroup, Quentin Winstead, and Glon Kalbaugh.

The Wildcats will travel to New Bern for the third round.

"I've got at least one more week with these guys and they're special," Inscore said.