GAFFNEY @ UNION COUNTY RECAP

What a difference it can make in the results of winning or losing a football game when you don't turn the ball over on offense and you force turnovers on defense. The Gaffney Indians did just that last night in front of a packed house at Union County Stadium. The Indians did not turn the football over and their defense forced five Union County turnovers that led to the Tribe blowing out the Yellow Jackets 48 to 14.

The Indians led 7 to 0 at the end of the first quarter with dominating defense and a six yard TD run by QB DeEdward Burris. The Gaffney defense did not allow the Jackets offense to record a first down through the first quarter of action.

The Indians pretty much put the game away in the second quarter as they scored 28 points led by TD passes from Burris to Quinshad Davis of 52 and 18 yards, a 10 yard TD run by Wookie Littlejohn and an interception return of 21 yards for a TD by Jaquan Barnes. The Yellow Jackets lone score of the first half occured when the Gaffney secondary had blown coverage and Union County QB Keiston Smith hit a wide open Victor Ruth for a 74 yard TD pass. The Gaffney defense forced four Yellow Jacket turnovers and held them to one first down as the Tribe led 35 to 7 at the half.

The second half would be more of the same, as the Indians forced a fumble on the second half kick-off, which set up the Gaffney offense with a short field. The Tribe would score a few plays later on a 14 yard run by RB C.J. Miller. The Indians led 41 to 7 after three quarters.

The forth quarter started with Gaffney in the middle of a 98 yard drive that would take a total of 10:00 off of the clock. The impressive thing about this drive was Gaffney had their second string offense in the game. The drive started in the 3rd quarter and ate up most of the 4th quarter before back-up QB Joey Copeland would end Gaffney's scoring with a 6 yard TD run. Union County would put together a late scoring drive, against the Gaffney reserves, scoring on a 28 yard pass with less than a minute to go in the game. The final score of the game was Gaffney 48 Union County 14.

My View From The Stands..... (1) I saw a very focused Gaffney football team that was determined to turn their season around. (2) I saw a Gaffney offense that has a lot of weapons and can be very potent, if they cut out the turnovers and mistakes that plagued them the first three games. (3) I saw a defense that was very dominant, as they held Union County to 4 first downs and 12 yards rushing. (4) I saw a young Gaffney football team that has a ton of potential and will only get better and better as the season goes along.

Until Next Time.