LEDGER PHOTO BY LARRY B. LITTLEJOHN Gaffney’s Quinton Hemphill (9) breaks a tackle for a huge gain against Dorman Friday night. Hemphill shredded the Cavalier defense for 206 rushing yards. It was billed as a showdown between two Gaffney native quarterbacks. Instead of Nick Melton vs. Malcolm Long, Gaffney Indian tailback Quinton Hemphill stole the show.

Hemphill ran for 201 yards and three touchdowns to propel the Indians to the Big 16 state championship game with a 35-21 dismantling of Dorman Friday at The Reservation.

Hemphill scored on runs of six and 12 yards and had rolled to 123 yards on 23 carries by halftime.

“He just did a great job for us,” Gaffney coach Phil Strickland said.

It was Hemphill’s second straight 200-yard performance. He rushed for 206 yards in the Indians’ thrilling win over Spartanburg.

With the victory, Gaffney extended its home playoff win streak to 30 games and advanced to play Summerville for the Big 16 title Saturday at 2 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium. Gaffney will be seeking its 15th state championship. Legendary Green Wave coach John McKissick has won 10 state titles.

“This is a great feeling. I’m real proud of the kids. They have been through a lot of adversity this season.” – GHS coach Phil Strickland “This is a great feeling,” Strickland said. “I’m real proud of the kids. They have been through a lot of adversity this season.”

Most of Long’s work Friday came from handoffs. He attempted just eight throws, completing six for 119 yards.

Melton, who was under center for the Indians for a portion of last season before transferring to Dorman in June, wasn’t particularly precise. But he completed 13 of 28 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 49 yards, including a 6-yard TD run late in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.

But it was Hemphill who dictated the direction and outcome of the game. Hemphill carried six times on the Indians’ opening drive, including a 6-yard touchdown run that capped the 11-play march. A bobbled snap cost the Indians’ the extra point.

The Cavaliers answered quickly when wide receiver Chad Peake hauled in a 41-yard touchdown pass when cornerback Garrett Bridges mistimed his jump on the play. Wyatt Rosenland put the Cavs on top, 7-6, with an extra point.

But it would be the Cavs’ only first-half highlight.

For the rest of the half, the Indians’ offense would sustain long drives while Gaffney’s defense would deliver constant pressure on Melton and stop the running game.

The Indians went up 14-7 on Ventae Tate’s 4-yard run with 4:40 left in the second quarter. After the Cavaliers failed to pick up a first down on their third straight possession, the Indians had good field position at their 46. On first down, Long hit tight end Richard Good for a first down. Hemphill carried on the next three plays, with his final carry as a 12-yard TD run to increase the lead to 21-7.

The Indians put the game away early in the third quarter. Cameron Tate picked off Melton’s first pass on the opening series of the second half. On the next play, Hemphill scampered in from 24 yards out to put the Indians up 28-7.

The rout was on when Long capped a 60yard march with a 1-yard keeper to make it 35-7 midway through the third quarter.

The Cavaliers scored the final two touchdowns a 39-yard TD pass from R.J. Reeder to Travis Simpson and a 6-yard Melton run to make the final tally more respectable.

The victory was costly for the Indians, as outside linebacker Rashuan Harris broke his arm and defensive tackle Greyson Gentry suffered a knee injury.

Smoke signals ... For safety reasons, Gaffney transfer Nick Melton was escorted from the field by police before the end of the game ... Quinton Hemphill is just 21 yards short of rushing for 1,000 yards this season. He’s averaging an impressive 6.9 yards a carry.