3RD ROUND PLAYOFFS 2012 PREVIEW

TRIBE OUT PHYSICALS KNIGHTS..... Gaffney used a strong physical defense and a strong physical running game to defeat the Stratford Knights 28 to 12 to advance to the Upper State Championship Game this Friday night at The Reservation. Jr. RB Hyleck Foster continued his strong running with 103 yards and two TDs. Jr. QB Shaq Davidson had a strong game with 92 yards rushing and 100 yards passing. The Gaffney defense was led by Sr. DE Jaylin Miller with 2 sacks and the defense also had 2 interceptions. The Tribe is where they wanted to be in the Upper State Championship Game and practicing on Thanksgiving. The Indians will face rival Byrnes for the second time this season.

My View From The Stands..... (1) There were not a lot of fans that made the trip up from Goose Creek in support of the Stratford team. (2) The Indians defense played very well against the highly recruited QB Jacob Park. They put a lot of pressure on him and held him to a bad completion percentage, as he went 15 for 44 in the game. (3) After a slow start the Gaffney running game took over the game in the second half, as they outscored Stratford 21 to 6.

3RD ROUND PLAYOFFS PREVIEW..... BYRNES @ GAFFNEY..... All we can say about this game is BRING IT ON! Two hated rivals, the two best programs in the state, a combined 27 State Championships, Gaffney with 16 and Byrnes with 11, and two rabid fan bases. It don't get any better than this in High School Football. Gaffney has won 3 of the last 4 games between these two rivals including a 22 to 18 victory at The Reservation about 6 weeks ago. The only game that Byrnes has won in the last 4 meetings was in the State Championship Game last December.

Keys To The Game For Byrnes.....  (1) Get off to a fast start. The Rebels feed off of a fast start and their fans feed off of it as well. (2) They must get more production from their running game. Can't be pass pass pass all the time. (3) Force some turnovers. In the State Championship Game last season turnovers were the difference in the game.

Keys To The Game For Gaffney..... (1) Keep the Rebels from getting off to a fast start. The Indians have done a good job of this in the previous 4 meetings. (2) Gaffney must make some plays in the passing game. The Rebels will be keying on the run. (3) Gaffney must win the turnover battle. (4) Put pressure on Byrnes QB Shuler Bentley. (5) Make Byrnes one dimensional. Don't let them get yards on the ground.

Game Prediction..... Something has to give in this game. It is hard to beat a very good team twice in one season. The Indians have won 40 home playoff games in a row. The last time Byrnes lost to a team twice in one season was to Gaffney back in 2006 and both of those games was in Gaffney as well..... Gaffney 24  Byrnes 21

Until Next Time.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM TRIBE BLITZ!!