Passing game produces big plays for Garner, Clayton in scrimmage

A few observations from Friday night's Friday Night Pigskin Kick Off at Heritage High School...

Clayton was up first, and met Apex and Millbrook in two hour-long scrimmages.

The Comets' defense forced three Apex turnovers during one 10-play offensive set for the Cougars. They also saw quarterbacks Matt Reid and Mark Taylor complete 30-plus yard play action touchdown passes. Reid hit Dallon Wallace on his pass, while Taylor connected with Donte Johnson.

Clayton also spent some time in a 'Wildcat' formation with running backs Montrelle Sanders, Brad Stanback and Daiquan Thomasson all lined up in the backfield and available to take direct shotgun snaps. 

At times, the Comet secondary made solid support tackles. And they weren't just 'the offense broke through the front-seven and we ran them down tackes.' Clayton's DBs were making strong tackles within five yards of the line of scrimmage.

The Comets' run game still need works. Clayton struggled to run the ball out of 'normal' offensive sets, including its power "Bear/Bull" three-back, two-tight end set.

Garner met both Leesville Road and Wake Forest-Rolesville. I caught the Trojans against Leesville Road but missed the meeting wit WF-R. (I headed out to the John Pinette show at Goodnight's. And, wow, what a show. I actually hurt from laughing so much.)

The young Trojan defense gave up a big touchdown run early against the Pride, but seemed to play better as the scrimmage progressed. 

Offensively, Garner looks like it has some good options at quarterback. Senior Cody Woodall, junior Marques Townsend and freshman Lemond Johnson all had bright spots. 

Woodall hit Justin Chavis in stride on a slant route that Chavis turned into a 30-yard or so TD pass. Johnson hit Isiah Moore on a 35-yard TD pass as well. 

On the ground, Terrance Fussell scored on a 12-yard power run, while sophomore Gavin Wilson broke off a long run up the gut of Leesville's defense.

The Trojans appear to have some options but they have very much the look of a young team. At times, they look unsure of where they're supposed to be. Then at other times, there was four or five guys breaking through the line and busting up plays in the Pride backfield.

I'm off to the event at Southeast Raleigh this evening and will post updates on West Johnston and Southeast's efforts later in the weekend.