JULIUSWILKERSON ...had three interceptions, including one for a 35-yard touchdown. Gaffney linebacker Julius Wilkerson had never had a game like this before.

Wilkerson entered Friday’s game with Boiling Springs with only one career interception. He tripled that total against the Bulldogs.

Wilkerson’s first two picks came in the second quarter. His first came on a slant route.

“I just read the quarterback’s eyes on the first one,” Wilkerson said.

The second interception happened late in the second quarter when he stepped in front of the receiver, who was running a curl route.

His third interception and most memorable came in the third quarter when he beat the receiver to the football and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown.

“I was just dropping back into coverage and they had their best wide receiver on the left side,” he said. “When (Slater) threw the ball, I just broke on it. I saw daylight, so I knew I could score.”

Wilkerson played free safety before he was switched to linebacker early last season. He said the defensive back skills have helped him in pass coverage as a linebacker.

Wilkerson missed the second game of the season with a sprained knee, but he says he’s nearly fully recovered.

“It’s a lot better now. I’m 95 percent right now,” he said.

Although the defense played well on Friday, Wilkerson knows Byrnes will be a stiffer challenge on Friday.

“We are going to have to put pressure on their quarterback,” he said. “It’s a kind of game that you want to play in.”