GAFFNEY VS BYRNES STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (2011)

The Gaffney Indians defeated the Boiling Springs Bulldogs 35 to 7 and the Byrnes Rebels defeated Blythewood 31 to 0, to set up the highly anticipated match-up between the Indians and Rebels for the 4A Division 1 (Big 16) State Championship. The game will be played at Clemson's Death Valley at 3 PM on Saturday. Let's take a closer look at this HUGE GAME between hated rivals.

Gaffney vs Byrnes

The Byrnes Rebels come into this showdown 12 and 2 and riding a 10 game winning streak. The last team to beat the Rebels was the Tribe back in week 4 by a score of 35 to 13. The Rebels are led on offense by QB Shuler Bentley, WR Akia Booker and RB Shakeem Wharton. They have scored 642 points for an average of 45.9 per game.

The Rebels are led on defense by DL Rashad Dillard, DL Jamaal Johnson and DB Shane Samuels. They play a 3-3-5 on defense and they try to pressure the QB with their three down linemen. They have a boat load of sacks and the defense forces turnovers. The Rebels defense also scores points. The Byrnes kicking game is topnotch led by K Kaleb Patterson. Anytime they get within 50-yards they are a threat to score a field goal. They have given up 155 points for an average of 11.1 per game.

The Indians come into this game 14 and 0 and ranked Number 1 in the state and as high as Number 2 or 3 in the nation. As Tribe fans know, the offense is led by QB Joey Copeland with 42 TD passes and 25 rushing TDs, RB C.J. Miller with 1,065 yards rushing and 13 TDs and WR Quinshad Davis with 100 catches and 24 TDs. They have scored 686 points for an average of 49.0 per game.

The Indians are led on defense by DL Edward Bigby, DL Jaylin Miller, LB Quan Weeks, LB Savon Dukes, DB Snoop Byers and DB Cobby McDowell. They have given up 138 points for an average of 9.9 per game. The Gaffney kicking game has been good led by K Victor Ramirez.

Keys To The Game For Byrnes..... (1) Keep the Gaffney defense off balance by mixing up the run and the pass. (2) Get off to a fast start and make the Indians play from behind. (3) Put pressure on QB Joey Copeland. (4) Force some turnovers and score a TD on defense or special teams.

Keys To The Game For Gaffney..... (1) Do what Gaffney does offensively, try to be balanced and take what the defense gives them. (2) Get off to a fast start. (3) DO NOT TURN THE BALL OVER. (4) Put pressure on QB Shuler Bentley and get him rattled.

Game Prediction..... The Tribe with 16 State Titles and Byrnes with 10 State Titles. It don't get any better. It is the third game in a row that Gaffney has to play a team that they have already beaten during the season. They beat both Dorman and Boiling Springs for the second time and the Byrnes Rebels are next..... Gaffney 28 Byrnes 17

You can catch my State Championship Game Recap on Monday.

Until Next Time.

GO INDIANS BRING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BACK TO TITLETOWN!!!