Summerville coach John McKissick probably doesn’t consider himself a soothsayer. But he has used his five decades of coaching experience to get this point across to his team they’ll have to elevate their play to beat the Gaffney Indians in Saturday’s Big 16 championship game.

“You just hope in a game like this that you don’t get kicked around too bad like (Gaffney) did to Dorman,” said McKissick, the country’s all-time winningest coach who will be seeking his 11th state title. “Like in most games, it’s going to be the team that doesn’t make the turnovers.”

Both Gaffney (11-3) and Summerville (12-2) have been tested in the playoffs.

The Indians needed a fumble by Spartanburg quarterback Nick Prochak to rally for a 2-point win over the Vikings in a second-round playoff matchup. The Green Wave got a late interception from A.J. Green to preserve a 10-6 victory over Stratford in the lower state final last Friday.

Both teams have also been wellgrounded this season. The Indians are averaging an impressive 172 yards a game on the ground. The Green Wave are no slouches either toting the ball, rolling up an average of 166 yards a game.

Quinton Hemphill has emerged as the Indians’ most effective rusher, gaining a team best 979 yards and averaging nearly 7 yards a carry. Ventae Tate and Charles Smith are also capable runners.

The Indians’ defense can stop the run, holding opponents to just 78 yards a game.

“They have outstanding linebackers that do a good job against the run,” McKissick said.

The Green Wave have a pretty good rushing attack, too, led by Dominique Meyers, who has rushed for 1,408 yards on 221 attempts.

The teams can also throw when they have to.

Gaffney quarterback Malcolm Long is completing 50 percent of his throws for 1,909 yards and 19 touchdowns. He’s been picked off just 11 times. His favorite target is Cameron Tate with 56 receptions for 898 yards.

For the season, Summerville quarterback Justin Cramer has completed 133 of his 215 passes for 2,100 yards and 22 touchdowns. His go-to guy just might be the best wide receiver in the state, sophomore A.J. Green, who has 68 catches this season for 1,298 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Gaffney coach Phil Strickland said Green reminds him of former Gaffney all-stater Sidney Rice.

“He’s a game-breaker,” he said.

Green will also play safety on defense and is a dangerous punt returner.

The teams are no strangers to state championships or playoff success. Summerville, which has captured 12 state crowns, is 44-20 in the Big 16 playoffs. Gaffney is seeking its 15th state title and is 48-20 in Big 16 playoff action.

The Green Wave’s last crown came in 1998 against Gaffney. The Indians are just two years removed from a state title.

“This is an ideal matchup,” McKissick said. “Two teams with tradition.”

Strickland agrees.

“Two teams with storied histories,” he said. “I do feel honored being across (from McKissick). He has set a record (with 531 wins) that can’t be broken.”

Defensively, the Green Wave entered the season with 10 new starters on defense. The unit is giving up 155 yards a game on the ground and another 108 through the air.

“They’re coming along,” McKissick said.

The Green Wave defense is led up front by tackle Lenard Mazyck, nose guard Andrae DeWeese and ends Willie Thomas and Reggie Henry, who has recorded 58 tackles and 52 assists.

Rich Glover and Matthew Kingdom, the team’s leading tackler, have been solid at linebacker.

The Indians’ defense has been a strength all season, with North-South selection Clay Champion anchoring the line. Defensive tackle Greyson Gentry suffered a knee injury in a win over Dorman last week and isn’t expected to play.

The defense took another hit last week when outside linebacker Rashuan Harris broke his arm.

Despite the injuries, Strickland said he expects his defense to play well Saturday.

“They’ve done it all year,” he said.

The defense’s main goal Saturday will be to stop the dangerous Green, he said.

“We have to know where he is.”

The teams have solid kicking games. Summerville’s David Behr has connected on 7 of his 11 field goal attempts, while Gaffney’s Justin Harris has made 7 of his 9 field goals, including a 32-yarder.

Gaffney holds a 6-5-1 edge in the alltime series.

SUMMERVILLE (12-2) VS. GAFFNEY (11-3)

Players to Watch: Gaffney QB Malcolm Long, RB Quinton Hemphill, WR Cameron Tate, C Brett Irvin, LB Bryce Smiley, LB Julius Wilkerson. Summerville QB Justin Cramer, RB Dominique Meyers, WR A.J. Green, DT Lenard Mazyck, NG Andrae DeWeese, LB Matthew Kingdom.

What the Indians must do to win control the ball on offense and take a shot deep against the Summerville secondary.

What the Green Wave must do to win stop Gaffney tailback Quinton Hemphill and force the Indians to the air.