Gaffney’s Ventae Tate (14) zeroes in on Dorman quarterback Mychal Belcher.

Ledger Sports Editor

The Indians’ defense has been dominant for most of the season. Now, it has a shutout to prove it.

“This is a great way to start the playoffs,” said Gaffney defensive coordinator Dan Jones following the Indians’ 28-0 victory over Dorman Friday. “(The players) know that Gaffney has a history of playing well in the playoffs. And we played with a lot of emotion.”

The Indians did a great job of controlling Dorman quarterback Mychal Belcher, who accounted for nearly 300 yards of total offense when the teams met to open the season.

This time, Belcher gained just 25 yards on 13 rushes and threw for just 81 yards. He was picked off three times.

For the game, the Cavaliers gained just 81 yards passing and only 40 on the ground. Derrick Miller, the Cavaliers’ second-leading rusher, had just 14 yards on seven carries.

But Jones said stopping Belcher was the key.

“We wanted him to step up into the pocket,” Jones said. “We didn’t want him to get to the edge.”

The Indians used defensive back Ventae Tate to shadow Belcher.

“We had some little games going and they seemed to work,” Jones said.

In addition to Tate, the Indians also got solid efforts from defensive back Rashawn Harris, who kept the Cavaliers off the scoreboard by taking a pass out of the hands of a Cavaliers receiver in the end zone; linebacker Julius Wilkerson and defensive end Daniel Ellis.

Jones said Ellis’ leadership and understanding of the game allows the defense to do more creative things.

“He’s like (Antwan Sarratt) was last year. He’s a coach on the field,” he said.