WEEK 3 GAFFNEY @ UNION COUNTY PREVIEW

After Week 2 of the High School football season the Gaffney Indians have one win against other schools and two wins against themselves as they beat themselves with turnovers for a second consecutive week. The Tribe fell to Greenwood 10 to 7 to fall to 1 and 2 on the season. (The High School league won't let them count the two games they beat themselves in the win column). So we are to game 4 of the season for the Tribe as they travel down to Union County to face the old rival Yellow Jackets. Lets look at this weeks game.

Gaffney @ Union County

The Union County Yellow Jackets have been a little snake bit so far this season, as they lost a close game against Spartanburg in Week 1, as the Vikings had a late goal line stand to preserve a 27 to 19 win. Then in Week 2 the Jackets came out a little flat against Broome and dropped another close game 20 to 13. Which Yellow Jackets team will show up this week?

The Jackets have five starters returning on offense and seven returning on defense from last season when they finished strong and won their Region Title. They lost most of their offensive fire power from last season and they have changed their offense to the spread to try to capitalize on their team speed and athleticism. They have some young receivers that can really run and they have a QB Keiston Smith who can run it or throw it. The offensive line has pretty good size, but they are young. Their offense as a whole is very young.

The Union County defense should be their strength as they are led by Division 1 prospect DE Desmond Floyd. They also have an outstanding LB named Jordan Sims. So far through the first two games the defense has been a little inconsistent. The Jackets are a team like Gaffney that gets better as the season goes along.

The things that the Gaffney Indians need to do this week are NO TURNOVERS ON OFFENSE AND FORCE SOME TURNOVERS ON DEFENSE!! The Gaffney offense moved the ball very good last week against Greenwood as they put up almost 400 yards. Turnovers, penalties and bad clock management at the end of the first half cost them points. The QB DeEdward Burris was very sharp, as he completed passes to six different receivers and passed for 306 yards. They need to continue distributing the ball around to different players and try to improve the running game.

The Tribe's defense has played pretty well this season, considering the position the offense has put them in with the turnovers and the injuries that they have had, but they do need to tackle a little better and tighten up against the run. They have had a bend but not break mentality so far this season. They need to be more aggressive an try to force some turnovers. They still have some starters out on defense as DL Edward Bigbe is still out as is DB Snoop Byers.

Keys to the game for Union County..... (1) Come out with a lot of intensity and get their crowd in the game. (2) Score early to give their young offense some confidence. (3) Force the Gaffney offense to turn the ball over.

Keys to the game for Gaffney..... (1) DO NOT TURN THE BALL OVER! (2) FORCE SOME TURNOVERS ON DEFENSE! (3) Tackle better on defense.

Game Prediction..... I see the Indians going on the road and playing their best game of the young season. Gaffney will come home with a much needed confidence building victory..... Gaffney 26 Union County 17

GO INDIANS!!!!!

Check out the Gaffney @ Union County Recap on Saturday.

Until Next Time.