GAFFNEY @ RIVERSIDE 2012 PREVIEW

STUNNER AT THE RESERVATION..... The Gaffney Indians, left for dead just three weeks ago after an embarrassing loss to a bad Wade Hampton team, pulled off a stunner Friday night at the Reservation by defeating the nation's 3rd ranked team the Byrnes Rebels 22 to 18. The Tribe got an outstanding defensive performance with 8 sacks of Rebels' QB Shuler Bentley and they also had several hurries and knock downs as well. The defense also intercepted the Jr. signal caller twice. They were very disruptive in knocking off the timing of the Byrnes offense. The Gaffney offense got another strong rushing performance from their offense with 221 yards and three rushing TDs. QB Shaq Davidson had another strong game with 155 yards rushing and 1 TD run which came on an electrifying 47-yard run in the 4th quarter. Davidson was also able to keep plays alive with his elusiveness all night and he was able to pass for 116 yards on 12 of 21 passing attempts. RB Hyleck Foster had a very good game also with 63 yards rushing and 2 TD's including the game winning score with 44-seconds left in the ball game. Foster also ended the game with an interception of an overthrown pass while playing deep safety in the Indians late game prevent defense.

My View From The Stands..... (1) The Reservation was rocking Friday night. (2) The Gaffney team, especially the offense, is playing with more passion and confidence since the change at QB. The threat of the athletic Shaq Davidson at QB has really opened up the rushing game for Gaffney. (3) The short yardage "Chop" formation the Indians use has really started  to pay dividends, as they scored two TDs with it Friday night. (4) The Rebels had no answer for the Gaffney defense or QB Shaq Davidson on Friday night. (5) The Indians now control their own destiny for winning the Region 2 4A Championship. They win out and they are the champs, as they hold the tiebreaker with Dorman and Byrnes.

GAFFNEY @ RIVERSIDE PREVIEW..... The Riverside Warriors come into this game with a record of 1 and 7 and struggling big time. They run an option offense and a 4-2-5 set on defense. Their big problem this season has been turnovers. They average four a game. One positive I can say about them is they play hard even though they don't have the talent to compete day in and day out in 4 A football.

The Tribe comes into this game with a record of 5 and 3 and 3 and 1 in region play. They control their destiny for winning the region championship. They have turned their season around when people were saying three weeks ago that they might not even make the playoffs. I know that after a huge win like they had Friday night there is always a chance for an emotional let down. The Tribe has been through this already this season. After their big win over 6th ranked Dorman they were not emotionally ready to play at Wade Hampton and they were upset 17 to 10. I know the coaches have talked to the kids about this but, as we know 15, 16 and 17 year old kids tend to not listen. I do expect a let down but, what I also expect is for the Tribe to take care of business and come out of this game with a win.

Game Prediction..... I really expect the Indians to come out and play well and take care of business this week. They are playing with a chance to reach their goal of winning the region. Since they fell flat against Wade Hampton they will get it done this time..... Gaffney 42  Riverside 0

TRIBE FACTS..... Friday night was not the first time a Nationally 3rd ranked Byrnes team came to Gaffney and left with a loss. At the old Reservation in 2004 a Willy Corn led Byrnes team came in with the lofty ranking only to go home with a loss. The same thing happened in 2006 as well. This was the biggest win for Gaffney at The New Reservation.

Until Next Time.