Trojans drop season opener at Clayton

Garner football defeated in their 2017 opener at Clayton 35-14. The non-conference loss was the first against the Comets in 31 years. The Trojans start well with Nolan McLean hitting Ralph Vieux for 42-yards on their opening drive but the series ends with consecutive penalties and failed 4th down. Clayton drives 67 yards for their first TD and convert a Garner fumble on the ensuing kickoff with 5-yard score for 14-0 lead with three minutes left in the opening quarter. The Trojans surrender two more Comet scores to trail 28-0 before McLean finds Ahkee Vaughn with 39 seconds left for 28-7 halftime tally. McLean and Vaughn hook up for 9-yard TD with 3 minutes to go, their only second half score in the season-opening loss. Clayton piles up 213 rushing yards & 73 passing while the Trojans manage just 61 rushing yards. McLean finishes 13-20 for 165 yards and 2TDs. Garner (0-1) travels to Cleveland next Friday for 7PM matchup.

SCORING SUMMARY
CLAYTON–T.Richardson 25 run (A.Souter kick); CLAYTON–T.Richardson 5 run (A.Souter kick); CLAYTON–T.Richardson 2 run (A.Souter kick); CLAYTON–E.Harding 25 run (A.Souter kick); GARNER–Ahkee Vaughan 19 pass from Nolan McLean (Angel Anorve kick); CLAYTON–D.Carter 8 run (A.Souter kick); GARNER–Ahkee Vaughan 9 pass from McLean (Anorve kick)

Passing: Nolan McLean 13-20 for 165 yards, 2TD’s

Rushing: Donovan Evans 9-21 yards, Marcus Davis 4-34, Daiveon Carrington 2-6; Prestige Bellamy 1-9. McLean 2-(-9),

Receiving: Ralph Vieux 1-42 yards, Ahkee Vaughn 4-35 yards, 2TD, Justin Lewis 3-39, Evans 1-7, Jon-Anthony Johnson 1-22, Quinten Fowler 1-3 yards, Spencer Stephenson 1-19 yards

Tackles/sacks: Carrington 4-1, Laytavion Haywood 7-1 (QBH, 3-TFL), Bellamy 3-0 (TFL), NaDarius Thompson 5-1, Trever Brown 2-0, Colin Finney 3-0, Keaton Cooley 1-0, Davis 2-1 (TFL)