Indians knock off York

Photo by LARRY HILLIARD Gaffney running back Jeremiah Cochran finds some running room against York on Friday. Cochran rushed for more than 100 yards in the Indians' win. A season of offensive problems has become one of promise for the Gaffney Indians.

The Indians once again mixed the pass and run to rack up more than 300 yards of total offense to down an outmanned York team, 41-14.

Steffen Foster and Jeremiah Cochran both topped the 100-yard mark as the Indians piled up 287 yards on the ground. Quarterback David Dewberry was effective, completing 11 of his 23 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Dewberry didn't throw an interception for the second straight week.

"People have to think twice about putting so many people in the box," said Gaffney coach Phil Strickland of Dewberry's effort. "It helps us to be a little more balanced."

Strickland said the reason for Dewberry's stellar play of late is his improved mechanics.

"He's a quality quarterback," the Gaffney coach said. "He had to learn some things, mainly his footwork. He's getting better."

Gaffney clung to a 14-6 lead at the half after blowing some early scoring chances, but put the game with three unanswered touchdowns in the second half.

"In the second half, the kids came out and took care of business," Strickland said. "I was pleased with the effort in the second half. We talked at halftime about the scoring on the first drive. We didn't do it on the first drive but we scored on the second."

The second-half scoring flurry began after John Michaels recovered a fumble at the York 22. On the next play, Emison Hughes made a diving catch in the end zone for a 21-6 lead after the extra point.

York fumbled on its next possession and the Indians capitalized when Cochran capped a 62-yard drive with a 2-yard run with 5:38 left in the third quarter. Cochran added another touchdown on a 3- yard run early in the fourth quarter to extend the Indians' lead to 35-6.

After York scored on a 33-yard pass from Adrion Crawford to wide receiver Charlie Mobley, reserve tailback Kenard Lipscomb capped the Indians' scoring with a 5-yard run with 1:39 remaining.

The Indians drove deep inside York territory on their first two possessions but came away empty when they failed to convert a fourth-down and missed a field goal.

On the Cougars' ensuing possession, York's Bryce Dudley broke through the middle of the Gaffney defensive line and outraced the Indians' secondary for an 85-yard score.

Foster energized the Indians with a long kickoff return to set up a Dewberry 19-yard scoring toss to Jeff Brown.

Foster then put the Indians on top 14-6 with an 8- yard run midway through the second quarter.

Gaffney will host Hillcrest Friday for homecoming.