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Indians power past Union
Last week, the Indians scored two late touchdowns but it wasn't enough in a 21-14 loss at Greenville. On Friday, Gaffney exploded for three fourth-quarter touchdowns, including one by the defense, to down visiting Union County, 27-7. The Indians scored on their first possession of the fourth quarter when Steffen Foster scored from 31-yards out on a draw. Two plays later, cornerback Cameron Smith picked off Union quarterback Kestin Stevens and returned the interception for another touchdown. With less than a minute left in the game, Foster capped another drive with a punishing run that left four Union defenders lying crumpled on the ground. After the game, Gaffney coach Phil Strickland pointed to the opening drive of the fourth quarter that snapped a 7-7 tie as the momentum changer. "We told them that we have to have this drive," Strickland said. "We took control of the game after that." Strickland said he expected the Yellow Jackets to gang up on the run, so the Indians planned to go to the air. That game plan had to be tweaked a bit when starting wideout Jeffery Brown left the game in the second quarter with an injured collarbone. The other starting wide receiver, Emison Hughes, was sidelined for the game with an injured ankle. Backups Tim Dawkins and Joe Craig ably filled the void with a combined three catches for 32 yards. "The (injuries) blew our game plan, but the young receivers did a good job," Strickland said. The Indians used the combination of Bo Davidson and David Dewberry under center. Both quarterbacks were efficient. Davidson completed five of seven passes for 27 yards. Dewberry was nine of 14 for 74 yards. Strickland said he was pleased with the quarterback play. "We mixed it up," he said. "David gives us another option. He throws the ball well." He can also run. Three plays after Jeremiah Cochran, who was held in check last week, had a 44 yard run, Dewberry crashed in from the 5 to put the Indians up 7-0 after the extra point. It stayed that way until the third quarter when Union drove the ball 99 yards to tie the game on a 17-yard pass from Stevens to Kierre Smith. The drive followed a goal line stand by the Yellow Jackets and was aided by three uncharacteristic personal foul calls on the Indians. Defensive lineman Levor Ross was flagged for one of the penalties and was ejected for the game for throwing a punch. Ross will receive an automatic one-game suspension for his actions. The Indians broke the tie, driving 67 yards on nine plays. Josh Harris' extra point sailed wide, leaving the Indians with a 13-7 lead. On the Yellow Jackets' ensuing possession, Gaffney's Cameron Smith sealed the win with his interception return for a touchdown with 7:06 left in the game. After Union failed to pick up a first down on its next possession, Gaffney chewed up most of the remaining time with a 59 yard drive that resulted in a 7-yard run by Foster. Gaffney, 2-1, hosts T.L. Hanna Friday. Indian Stats
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