GHS offense churns out yards and touchdowns

Ledger photo by LARRY LITTLEJOHN Gaffney wideout Rodney Love hauls in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Malcolm Long. For the first time this year, the Irmo Yellow Jackets used their two safeties to defend against the long pass.

That was fine with Gaffney offensive coordinator Greg Lawson.

"The game plan was to throw the ball," Lawson said. "But we changed that with the defense (Irmo) played. They did something they hadn't done all year and that's go to a cover 2 defense. They tried to take away the deep pass, but then you have to move somebody else to guard the flats. That means they took a player out of the box."

That strategy opened up the running game for the Indians, who gained 197 yards on 45 attempts.

Senior Anthony Tyus led the team in rushing with 69 yards on eight carries. Tyus is normally the backup but got the start because he is a senior, Lawson said.

Running backs coach Larry Irvin) said he's a senior and he thought he should start," Lawson said. "We were able to use his speed to run the draw."

Lawson credited Gaffney quarterback Malcolm Long for efficiently directing the offense.

Lawson said Long had to make the decision at the line of scrimmage what play to call. Long completed 16 of his 20 passes for 262 yards. And most importantly, he didn't throw an interception.

"It's something that we've practiced a little bit," Lawson said. "We give him that chance to put us in the right play. And I thought he did an excellent job."

"Malcolm has gotten better and better," Lawson added. "He checked down to the second and third wide receivers. And even on one play, he checked down to the fourth receiver."

Wide receiver Tyson Petty was Long's favorite target, with six catches for 161 yards and one touchdown.

"Tyson has worked harder than any other kid to get better," Lawson said. "He came to me and said 'I want to get better.'" I told him to get tennis balls and to play with the tennis balls to improve his hand-eye coordination."

Lawson said he was surprised the Indians scored 45 points - the second most points scored by the Indians this season.

"All the credit goes to the kids," he said.