custom search results

This one is kind of tough. (for me at least)

I need to display 2 sets of search results on the same page. The first set will be with search in description turned off and the second with it on.

The reason is that when people type a model number (say 1234) into the search box, it currently lists all products which have 1234 in their description. This is great, but I want to place the exact matches at the top and format that area as the main search result.

The other area will be formatted as "related products"

My specific question is this:

Where does the search query get sent to the database so it can grab all of the results to populate the table with in "tpl_tabular_display.php". I just want to do this 2 times, with the search_in_description toggled on each one.

As I write this I'm saying to myself there must be an easier way and perhaps I've been looking at the code too long.