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Mesquite Horn's 28-point first quarter too much for Garland, 42-14

Horn QB Destri White throws for 2 scores, runs for another in first-quarter explosion

GARLAND — Mesquite Horn quarterback Destri White’s success against the Garland secondary gave his team a first-quarter edge that held up for a 42-14 5A Region II bi-district playoff victory Friday night at Williams Stadium.

Horn (9-2) advanced to next week’s area round, where it will face Allen, which routed Lake Highlands, 63-6. Garland finished 5-5.

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White, who passed for 187 yards and three touchdowns, completed five of his first six passes as Horn scored on three consecutive possessions in the first quarter. His first two completions were touchdown passes to receivers Del’Michael High and Jarrison Stewart, who were roaming free in the Garland secondary.

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On Horn’s third scoring drive, White completed passes of 24, 20 and 21 yards, and scored on a 2-yard run to help his team go ahead 21-7.

Garland fielded the ensuing kickoff deep, got out to its 11, but it only got worse. On the next play, the Horn defense bull-rushed the left side of Garland’s line and forced Joshua Jackson into a backfield fumble that Darreon Jackson returned 4 yards for a touchdown.

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“It’s important when you get in the playoffs to start strong,” Horn coach Mike Overton said. “We just exploded out the chute both offensively and defensively.

“It was a complete first half.”

Garland coach Jeff Jordan offered no excuses.

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“They’re a lot better than we are,” he said. “And they played well, and we didn’t.”

Early in the second quarter, Horn defensive back Karlos Arthur Jr. picked off Garland quarterback Luther Kirk’s pass and returned it to the Garland 38.

Six plays later, Jordan Shavers juked two defenders on an 11-yard run to give Horn a four-touchdown lead with 8:51 left in the second quarter.

Garland scored three plays into the game. On third down, Kirk found Devonte Hayden open on a 72-yard pass and run. Five plays later, Horn answered with White’s first scoring pass to High.

Horn rolled up 406 yards of total offense, including 219 on the ground behind the 1-2 punch of Shavers (83 yards rushing) and Justyn Oliphant (81 yards).

Against Allen, Overton realizes his team will have its hands full.

“Obviously, anytime you’re playing the No. 1 team in the country, and the state of Texas, it’s a great challenge,” he said. “I know I’m excited about playing in the Cotton Bowl.”