WEST ASHLEY @ GAFFNEY RECAP (2011)

Even A Lack Of Intensity Can't Stop The Indians, as they pound West Ashley 52 to 27. They got two TD passes from Joey Copeland from 3-yards to Quinshad Davis and 30-yards to Ryan Frock to lead 14 to 0 after their first two possessions. The scores were set up by the Gaffney defense holding the Wildcats to two three and outs forcing two short punts and giving the offense a short field. The Wildcats put together a drive to eat up the remaining 6:50 off of the 1st quarter clock. The Tribe led 14 to 0 after the 1st quarter.

The 2nd quarter started with West Ashley capping their long drive with a 1-yard TD run by QB Karon Eady. The score was a surprising 14 to 7 early in the 2nd quarter. The Indians came right back down the field and scored on a 31-yard TD pass from Copeland to Davis. The Tribe's next possession ended with a Copeland TD run of 7-yards. They would then get a 30-yard yard field goal from Victor Ramirez to close their 1st half scoring. The Tribe scored on all five 1st half possessions to lead 31 to 7 at halftime.

The 3rd quarter started with the Tribe scoring, on their second possession, on a 2-yard run by Copeland to go up 38 to 7 with about half the quarter remaining. The intensity level really started to disappear for the Tribe at this point in the game. The Wildcats got a 56-yard TD pass from QB Thomas Woodhead to cut the lead to 38 to 13. The Indians ended the quarter with a 5-yard TD pass from Copeland to Frock and a 7-yard fumble return for a TD from LB Savon Dukes. The score after the 3rd quarter was 52 to 13 in favor of the Indians.

The 4th quarter started with Gaffney making wholesale substitutions. The Wildcats put a scoring drive together late in the quarter to make it 52 to 20. Then with a couple of minutes left in the game they got a pick six from David Campbell when he intercepted back-up QB Luke Lancaster to end the games scoring. The Final Score in Round 1 of the Division 1 4A playoffs was Gaffney 52 and West Ashley 27.

Game Stats Summary

First Downs Gaffney 21, West Ashley 15
Yards Rushing Gaffney 113, West Ashley 140
Yards Passing Gaffney 190, West Ashley 98
Total Yards Gaffney 303, West Ashley 238
Turnovers Gaffney 1, West Ashley 3

Individual Game Stats Summary

QB Joey Copeland was 19 of 24 for 188 yards and 4 TD passes, 40 yards rushing and 2 TDs.
RB C.J. Miller had 17 carries for 70 yards rushing, 3 catches for 15 yards.
WR Quinshad Davis had 8 catches for 99 yards and 2 TDs.
WR Ryan Frock had 3 catches for 42 yards and 2 TDs.
WR Brandon Bevis had 4 catches for 28 yards.
K Victor Ramirez had a 30 yard field goal.
LB Savon Dukes had a fumble recovery and return of 7 yards for 1 TD.

My View From The Stands..... (1) The intensity was not as good with the team, as it had been all season. (2) The Gaffney offense scored on their first five possessions of the game. (3) The offense was taking what the defense was giving them. The Wildcats defense was taking away the deep ball. (4) The intensity was not there with the fans as well. After winning the Region Championship, over rival Spartanburg, last week it is understandable that the team and fans would be a little flat playing a team you are suppose to beat handily.

It's on to Round 2 of the Playoffs next week, as the Tribe plays Dorman.

Until Next Time.