Indians must maintain focus against Hillcrest

"The kids have to understand we can't have a letdown heading into the toughest part of our schedule." - Phil Strickland Gaffney head coach Gaffney coach Phil Strickland's message this week has been simple: don't look ahead.

But it may be easier said than done.

Next week, the Indians host nationallyranked Byrnes as the Nike High School Game of the Week. Today, Gaffney travels to winless Hillcrest.

"The kids have to understand we can't have a letdown heading into the toughest part of our schedule," Strickland said. "We have to go play Hillcrest and not look ahead."

The teams couldn't be headed in more opposite directions. The 0-7 Rams are coming off a humbling loss at Byrnes, while the Indians enter the game off an impressive win over a pesky York team.

First-year Rams coach Andy Hallman knew this season would be a struggle.

"We knew with the amount of young kids, it would be difficult," Hallman said. "We've made a lot of mistakes, with interceptions and turnovers."

When the Rams have been able to eliminate their mistakes, they have played competitively against the likes of Spartanburg.

Strickland said the key will be to jump on the Rams early.

"With an opponent like this, you don't want them to be hanging around," he said.

Strickland and Hallman are good friends. They first met when Strickland was head coach at Ridge Spring-Monetta and Hallman served as an assistant at Barnwell High School.

"(Hallman) is an excellent coach," Strickland said. "They are struggling right now, but I know what kind of coach he is."

Hallman said his offense has been plagued by turnovers and problems along the offensive line.

"We haven't been doing a real good job (on the offensive line)," he said. "We have just two starters back. We just have to work hard everyday to get better."

The Rams are unsettled at quarterback, with three players seeing time under center. Hallman said Eric Capon will likely get the start today. A.J. McDaniel is more of a running threat.

"We are too predictable," he said. "When Eric is in the game, we throw the ball and when A.J. is in, we tend to run it."

Chris Merrill has been a bright spot at running back.

"He's a first year player and the point guard on the basketball team," Hallman said. "He's done a good job for us."

"Hillcrest has two quick running backs that hit the hole hard," Strickland said. "You give them a step and they can go."

Defensively, linebacker Mike Hill and defensive linemen Jaquan Tolbert and Dustin Ledford have been solid for the Rams.

But the Rams aren't as tough as Hallman would like them to be.

"We aren't as physical as we want to be yet," Hallman said.

The Rams' defense will be tested by the Gaffney offense, Hallman said.

"The impressive thing is how balanced they are," the Hillcrest coach said. "They throw well and run well."

Hallman said he's watched Gaffney's Malcolm Long develop into a quality quarterback.

"He just continues to be impressive," Hallman said.

Hallman said he's also wary of Gaffney's size. In order to stay close he said the Rams' offense must control the clock.

"We want to have the ball," he said.

Gaffney (7-0, 3-0) at Hillcrest (0-7, 0-3)

Players to Watch - Gaffney QB Malcolm Long, RB Jeremiah Cochran, OL Kevin Brockman, DL Greyson Gentry, DL Romeo Adams, LB J.B. Shippy, S Johnny Woods. Hillcrest QB Eric Capon, RB A.J. McDaniel, DL Jaquan Tolbert, DL Dustin Ledford.

What the Indians must do to win - go for some quick-strike scores and force three and out for the Hillcrest offense.

What the Rams must do to win - hit some big plays early to discourage the Indians