WEEK 13 (2011) DORMAN @ GAFFNEY

Round 1 of the 2011 4A Division 1 Playoffs are in the books. The Tribe won big over West Ashley 52 to 27, but they played the game with very little intensity. The only other game this season that the Tribe played with a lack of intensity was the Clover game. They won that game 55 to 3. So far even a lack of intensity can't stop the Tribe. Things start getting a little tough this week, as they face the Dorman Cavaliers for a second time this season. The Tribe won the first meeting 35 to 14 back in week 1 of the regular season. Let's look at this Round 2 Playoff Game.

Dorman @ Gaffney

The Cavaliers come into this game with a 7 and 5 overall record. They finished the regular season as the 3rd place team in Region 2 4A. They are the Number 9 seed in the Division 1 4A Playoffs and they defeated Number 8 seed Sumter 46 to 21, on the road, in Round 1. The Indians come into this game with a 12 and 0 overall record and they finished the regular season as Region 3 4A Champions. The Indians are the Number 1 seed in the Division 1 4A Playoffs.

The Dorman offense is led by RB Raymond Smith. He is their leading rusher with 188 carries for 1,788 yards and 30 TDs. He is also their leading receiver with 21 catches for 215 yards and 3 TDs. As Raymond Smith goes so goes the Dorman offense. Their QB is Trey Robinson and he has passed for 1,146 yards and 8 TDs. He also has 701 yards rushing and 5 TDs. The Cavaliers have scored 401 points for an average of 33.4 per game. They are averaging 263.2 yards per game rushing and 110.0 per game passing. So they are averaging 373.2 yards of total offense per game. They have a very strong running game and play-action passing game.

The Dorman defense is small, but they are very quick. They are led on defense by Ron Ogelsby, DeAndre Long and Sevelt Thompson. They have given up 190 points for an average of 15.8 per game. They are giving up 148.5 yards per game rushing and 106.6 yards per game passing. So they are giving up 255.1 yards per game in total offense.

The Gaffney offense continues to be led by QB Joey Copeland with 40 TD passes and 20 TD runs. He has thrown for 3,340 yards with a completion percentage of .690 and only 6 INTs.
He also has 508 yards rushing. WR Quinshad Davis has 86 catches for 1,644 yards and 22 TDs. They have also gotten very good production from WR Brandon Bevis with 37 catches and 4 TDs and WR Ryan Frock with 31 catches and 7 TDs. They are led in rushing by C.J. Miller with 840 yards and 12 TDs. Miller has also been productive in the passing game with 13 catches. The Tribe has scored 618 points for a per game average of 51.5. They have averaged 178.7 yards per game rushing and 309.4 yards per game passing. So the Tribe has averaged 488.1 yards per game in total offense.

The Gaffney defense continues to be dominant, as they are giving up an average of 232.0 yards per game in total offense. They are led by LBs Quan Weeks, Savon Dukes and DLs Jaylin Miller, Edward Bigby and DBs Snoop Byers, Cobby McDowell and Marquise Brannon. They have given up only 128 points for an average of 10.7 per game. The starting defense has only given up an average of 6.0 points per game. The defense has been sort of overshadowed by the powerful Gaffney offense.

Keys To The Game For Dorman..... (1) They must be able to run the football. That is what they do best. It will also help with time of possession in keeping the Gaffney offense off the field. (2) They must force some turnovers. (3) Make it a 4th quarter game. Gaffney has not had a game all season that was still in doubt in the 4th quarter.

Keys To The Game For Gaffney..... (1) They must contain Raymond Smith. They are not going to stop him, but they can't let him run wild and take over the game. (2) DO NOT TURN THE BALL OVER!! They can't beat themselves with turnovers. (3) Play with the intensity and fire of a champion. They can't play flat like they did last week. (4) Execute on offense. The only team that can beat Gaffney is Gaffney.

Game Prediction..... This is Round 2 of the playoffs and Round 2 against Dorman this season. It is much more difficult to beat a team twice in a season. I see the Indians playing with the intensity that we are used to seeing and I see the Indians winning round 2 and advancing in a big way..... Gaffney 42 Dorman 14

TRIBE FACTS..... The Tribe is 7 and 2 against Dorman in the Division 1 Playoffs.

TRIBE FACTS..... Gaffney's last playoff victory over Dorman was in 2005. Their last playoff game against the Cavaliers was a loss in the semi-finals in 2009.

You can check out my Dorman @ Gaffney Recap on Saturday.

Until Next Time.