APEX - A.J. Clanton rushed for 133 yards and teammate Juwan Moye added a 53-yard punt return for a touchdown to help lead Garner to its first victory of the season, a 26-16 win over host Middle Creek.

The Mustangs led 9-7 at halftime, but the Trojans (1-2) scored three times in the third quarter.

Clanton scored on an 18-yard run on Garner's first possession of the second half to make the score 14-9, following Anthony Harris' interception of Middle Creek quarterback Garrett Leatham.

The Trojans forced three interceptions and two fumbles in the second half.

Connor Torruella kicked a 23-yard field goal to put Garner ahead 17-9 with 57 seconds left in the third, and then after a Middle Creek three-and-out Moye fielded the punt and broke free for the game-breaking touchdown.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Garner head coach Nelson Smith, whose Trojans started the year with two close losses to Millbrook and Broughton. “We could have folded the tent after those games, but I’m proud of the way these kids played.”

Smith was also pleased that Garner managed to be effective in all three phases. The Trojans ran 37 times for 193 yards, their defense limited the Mustangs to just 49 yards on the ground, and then their special teams came up big.

Garner junior Nighee Walker played quarterback for the injured Riley Gallaher, and threw a 20-yard touchdown to Bryan Watkins for the Trojans first points in the opening period.

Leatham led Middle Creek with 361 yards passing, completing 30 of 55 passes. Kevin Jones (7 receptions, 136 yards) and Jon Moore (6-48) combined for nearly half the Mustang receptions. Middle Creek fell to 2-1 after opening the season with wins over Northern and Southern Durham.

Leatham's 55 attempts are the 4th-most in state history for a single game.