South actually outscored the Titans, who had beaten them 11 straight times, 28-0 in the second half, playing flawlessly on both sides of the ball.

“Finally,” said coach Rick Vanhoy. “We played the way we’re capable of playing. We got on a roll and there just wasn’t much West could do to stop it.”

But the jubilation of South fans and players turned to stunned silence when running back Keith Garrett became dizzy in the huddle in the fourth quarter, went down and was hauled away by ambulance to a hospital.

“We were scared,” said Raider fullback Jeremy Basinger. “We thought he’d broken his neck.”

No one in red and black breathed again until the favorable diagnosis came back: Garrett had sustained a mild concussion.

“I sort of thought that’s what it was,” said Garrett. “It turned out I was back at practice after one day. No big deal.”

The 5-6 Garrett isn’t just putting on a tough-guy act. He doesn’t have to. He is a tough guy.

He wrestled for the Raiders at 119 pounds last year, and proved he’s one of the best around. For football season, he beefs all the way up to 140. A lot of folks think that pound for pound, he might be the county’s best player.

Garrett says South’s coaches were astonished when he first arrived at the school and came out for football.

He couldn’t be as fast as he looked, could he?

He could.

“They put the stop watch on me. They were sort of amazed that I could run 4.5 in the 40,” says Garrett.

That speed, coupled with his no-holds-barred wrestling mentality, has led him to second place among the county’s rushers, right behind West Rowan’s Scooter Dalton. The mighty mite has piled up 655 yards and averages 5.7 yards per carry.

And then there are those kickoff returns. Twice, Garrett’s gone the distance. Another dozen times, he’s given his team great field position.

“On kickoffs, I just get behind Tore’ and follow his block,” said Garrett.

Tore’ is Garrett’s fellow junior, Tore’ Girty, another running back, and maybe it’s time to bring Girty’s name into the conversation. Because Garrett and Girty are most definitely a team.

They share the credit as much as they share the carries.

“We know if just one of us got all the carries, we’d have a bunch of yards, but it’s more fun to spread it around and not have all the responsibility,” said Girty.

Garrett and Girty have combined for 1,113 rushing yards which makes them the county’s No. 2 combo behind Dalton and Jonathan Diggs.

Friday night was the shining moment for the “G-Men.” They gave South two 100-yard rushers in the same game for the first time since the second game of last season when Andre Brown and Darryl Childers turned the trick in a victory over West Rowan.

Garrett picked up 115 yards — his third 100-yard effort of the year— while Girty scored three TDs and came through with 107 yards. Girty now has 458 yards, sixth best in the county.

“No doubt, Girty had his best game,” said Vanhoy. “He caught passes, he ran hard and he blocked. Garrett blocked well too.’’

Garrett and Girty have had to pick up their production after another of South’s running backs, Ernie Wiggins, was lost for the season with a broken arm. Now, Garrett and Girty are on the field every play in South’s wishbone set. But neither is upset about the increased workload.

The pair survives by offering a constant change of pace to opponents with contrasting running styles.

“Keith’s gonna rely more on making moves because of his size,” said Vanhoy. “Girty, he’s gonna go straight ahead.”

Girty, 5-11 and 175 pounds, played defensive back last year, and is still getting adjusting to the wishbone, but he’s not shy with a football under his arm.

“I try to pulverize people,” he says. “I strive for every yard. I try never to go down on the first hit.”

Girty performs his relentless magic under the watchful eye of his dad, Felix, a Raider assistant.

“It’s good that he’s out here” says the younger Girty. “I know he’s looking at me so I make sure I always do what I’m supposed to do. I don’t ever let up.”

Neither of the “G-Men” does.

It’s been a difficult year but nights like last Friday make it all worthwhile.

“That was by far the most fun we’ve had,” said Garrett.

“We just got a feeling,” chimed in Girty. “Everyone was pumped up. The defense, was great, (quarterback) Tim (Cook) played well, the offensive line was opening huge holes.

“We saw West Forsyth’s guys drop their heads, and we just kept going on and going on.”

And the best news of all for Raider fans is that both backs will still be going on and on in 2000.

“My goal is to rush for 1,000 yards,” says Girty.

“My goal,” says Garrett with a huge grin, “is just to stay healthy.”