Tigerville – North Greenville won its first game of the
Nate Garner era on Saturday with a 41 – 28 win over Barton in the first Conference Carolinas football game in 51 – years.
A big first quarter propelled the Trailblazers to the win, holding off a feisty Barton Team which clawed back to within two scores of NGU after trailing 24 – 0 early in the game. A quick three – and – out forced by NGU defenders led to the first score of the game for NGU as
Eric Rasheed took the first punt of the game 61 – yards to the house.
Cillian Bonner added a field goal and RJ Glassgow picked off a Barton pass and returned it 28 yards for the score, his first career interception return for a touchdown. North Greenville's offense got in on the offense next as
Dylan Ramirez found
Taivon Derisma from 34 – yards out to extend the lead to 24.
The Bulldogs got things rolling shortly thereafter scoring the next 14 – points to trim NGU's lead to 10. The Bulldogs finished the game with just 240 – yards of total offense with two turnovers forced by NGU defenders. They tacked on 14 – points in the third quarter but were shutout in the final period.
North Greenville's offense was sparked by the connection of Ramirez to Rasheed. Rasheed, who returned the punt for a touchdown in the first quarter reeled in a pair of touchdown passes from
Dylan Ramirez including a 22 – yard score and one from 70 – yards out. His second score of the day put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter.
The Trailblazers finished with 485 – yards of offense including 198 – rushing and another 287 through the air for Ramirez.
Reggion Bennett led the rushing attack with a game and career high 117 yards on 20 – carries. Rasheed finished with 92 – yards on two catches and three total touchdowns.
Bradley Russ-Martin and
Jackson Sims led North Greenville with seven tackles on defense.
Ashton Howard had NGU's only sack of the night while
Damon Early had four hurries.
Jamie Downing Jr. recovered a fumble for the Trailblazers.
Next Up
North Greenville welcomes #5 West Florida to Younts Stadium for a 7 PM kickoff.
