What We Saw: Garner-Middle Creek Offensive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was able to get out to a showdown of talented teams on Friday as Garner Magnet hosted Middle Creek. I identified this game as a great litmus test for two decent-to-good teams looking to make the jump. Though the scoreline ended up a bit lopsided, I came away impressed with both teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've already written about the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/what-we-saw-standout-garner-middle-creek-defenders/">defensive standouts</a> for each team. Here, I'm looking at the offensive side of the ball. Which offensive players stood out in Garner-Middle Creek?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Offensive Standouts in Garner-Middle Creek</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What We Saw</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It took both teams some time to settle in offensively. Even though Garner hit a few chunk plays to build an early lead, Middle Creek's defense initially looked up to the task. But the Garner playmakers were too good on the outside, and the Trojans got a few mismatches that led to explosive plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle Creek took time to settle in, but found a rhythm in the second half. Ultimately, it was too little, too late. However, I wasn't underwhelmed by the Middle Creek offense. Instead, I thought Garner did a superb job making tackles, and the Mustangs were often just off. On another day, the Mustangs could have scored more and kept it closer. Going forward, I think both of these teams can compete in difficult conferences.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Middle Creek Offensive Standouts</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It all starts with quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1328747' first='Lex' last='Sevilla']</strong>. I keep forgetting he's just three starts into his varsity career, but there were some hiccups along the way on Friday. Garner sent so many twists and stunts (while limiting the run game) that Sevilla was uncomfortable in the first half. When the game was within reach in the second half, though, Sevilla looked incredibly dangerous, hitting a number of digs, slants, and seams across the middle of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stat line is misleading, as two of his interceptions were when he was pushing the ball down the field at the end of a 41-17 Garner win. He showed solid arm strength, decision-making, and looked fairly comfortable in the pocket, even against a fierce pass rush. He was at his best when he was willing to break the pocket and run, and he had Middle Creek's biggest offensive play of the night, a 49-yard scramble</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658593' first='Jayden' last='Spencer']</strong> found little room to run as Garner stacked the box, but showed good patience and a willingness to break tackles at the line of scrimmage. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663791' first='Tracy' last='Harrington Jr.']</strong> got behind the defense a few times, drawing a pass interference and breaking open on a potentially long touchdown just as the pass rush got home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604115' first='James' last='Han']</strong> is a future offensive guard, in our opinion, but played well at tackle, anchoring well against a fierce group of edge rushers. Interior lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1880897' first='Stanley' last='Petrovich']</strong>, a sophomore, flashed in a couple of one-on-one reps, finishing blocks and seeking out defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Late in the game, the physically impressive <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='701262' first='TJ' last='Ali']</strong> caught a pass. He has the size and length to be a matchup nightmare for defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Garner Offensive Standouts</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garner has always had playmakers, but this year, they've seemed to take a huge leap forward, possibly because the big boys up front have improved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1625015' first='Christian' last='Ormandy']</strong> had time to throw against a good Middle Creek front. And while he missed a few early throws, he hit on a couple of difficult deep balls, specifically one in the second quarter to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='369167' first='Eric' last='Chisley']</strong> for a 30-yard touchdown. Chisley did a great job, even at just 5'7", to shield the defender and make the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ormandy got off to a slow start, but once the offense started to roll, he found more time, and his accuracy was on full display. In the second half, he had a beautiful fake on a triple option to send a defender sprawling before he showed off his speed on a long touchdown run. He's taken that next step as a passer and a runner. The progression has been obvious and it's encouraging to see him look as comfortable as he did on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plenty of guys touched the ball as rushers, as <strong>Aiden Gore</strong> got in on the action, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225217' first='Amir' last='Wallace']</strong> did a nice job of wearing down the defense, finishing with 112 yards on 21 carries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the Trojans needed a big play, though, it was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1656365' first='Tayden' last='McPhatter']</strong> who provided the spark in all three phases of the game. He had a first-half interception, two long punt returns, and 200 yards on offense. I was impressed with just how electric he was in the open field, something that is making me lean towards liking him best on the offensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/whelms21/status/1964120905367384464","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/whelms21/status/1964120905367384464 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think this offense can continue to get better, as even in a huge win, they missed a couple of opportunities and could have done even more offensively. It's encouraging, as the schedule only gets harder down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Player of the Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can't pick anyone other than <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1656365' first='Tayden' last='McPhatter']</strong> here, as he had a career day. In fact, he eclipsed his total rushing yardage from last season. If he continues to give the Trojans an explosive rushing element to the offense, they'll be a threat in one of the toughest conferences in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He can help on both sides of the ball and colleges need to guive this young man a call.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Which games should we attend this season? Let me know on Twitter (@<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">whelms21</a>)</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->