WEEK 4 BYRNES @ GAFFNEY PREVIEW

The Gaffney Indians showed last Friday night what they are capable of when they don't turn the football over on offense and they force turnovers on defense. The Tribe was +4 in the giveaway takeaway category against Union County. The Gaffney defense forced five Yellow Jacket turnovers and their offense turned it over once. The Tribe put together their best game of the season to date, as they defeated the Union County Yellow Jackets 48 to 14. The competition gets even stronger this week as the hated rival Byrnes Rebels come to The Reservation. Lets preview this monster match-up.

Byrnes @ Gaffney

The Byrnes vs Gaffney rivalry has really heated up in the last eight years. It has become one of the most anticipated games of the High School football season. The game reached national interest in 2006 as the game was nationally televised by Fox Sports Net. The game in 2006 featured Byrnes' highly regarded QB Willy Korn and Gaffney's QB Malcolm Long. The Indians won the game 28 t0 15. The Tribe also won a second round playoff meeting with the Rebels, in 2006, by a score of 16 to 13. Both games were played at The Old Reservation. The Indians would go on to finish 15 and 0 and win their 16th State Championship. The last three meetings in the series has been all Byrnes, as they have outscored Gaffney 151 to 35.

This Friday night's game with Byrnes should be a dandy. The Rebels lost a lot of talented players off of last years team, but they are still a very good football team. The Rebels have six starters returning on offense including four on the offensive line. They are led on offense by their Sr. QB Zach Blair and a very good Jr. RB Shakeem Wharton. The Rebels always have an abundance of receivers to throw the ball to and this year is no exception. Their top pass catcher is Soph. Akia Booker.

The Byrnes defense returns three starters, but they are still extremely fast and aggressive. The defense is led by Sr. LB Andre Brewton and Jr. DB Davon Terry. The Rebels are always strong in the kicking game.

The Gaffney Indians regained some confidence last week with their blowout win over Union County. The Indians were able to improve their running game, their defensive aggressiveness and their giveaway takeaway statistic. The addition of Wookie Littlejohn at RB gives the Tribe another offensive weapon. Indians QB DeEdward Burris had another strong game as did back-up QB Joey Copeland.

The Gaffney defense intercepted three passes and LB Jaquan Barnes returned one for a TD. The Indians are very excited about the game with Byrnes and they have worked very hard to get ready. The Tribe owes the Rebels after the way they ran the score up last season.

Keys to the game for Byrnes..... (1) Jump out front early and take the Gaffney fans out of the game. (2) Intimidate the young Indians into making mistakes. (3) Put pressure on Gaffney's young secondary and make them make plays. (4) Make Gaffney's offense one dimensional.

Keys to the game for Gaffney..... (1) Go into the game believing they can win the game. (2)
Do not let Byrnes intimidate them. Remember they put their pants on just like we do, one leg at a time. (3) DO NOT TURN THE FOOTBALL OVER!! (4) Make the tackle on defense. (5) Disrupt their timing on offense.

Game Prediction..... I see the young Indians getting off to a good start and their confidence building as the game progresses. Gaffney forces a couple of turnovers and they make enough plays to get it done. The Tribe gets their swagger back..... Gaffney 20 Byrnes 17

Tribe Facts..... The Gaffney Indians lead the overall series with Byrnes 11 to 10.

Former Indian Update..... Gaffney's Joe Craig, a Freshman at Clemson, is going to red shirt this football season.

Check out the Byrnes @ Gaffney Recap on Saturday.

Until Next Time.

GO INDIANS BEAT THOSE REBELS!!!!!!