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Indians make a stand
The hard-hitting Gaffney defense allowed just 228 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers in a 7-0 win over the host Cavaliers. Gaffney (8-2, 4-1) clinched second place in the region and a first-round home playoff game. The Cavaliers fall to 8-2 overall and 4-2 in Region II-2A. "Our defense was embarrassed last week," Gaffney coach Phil Strickland said. "They had some great licks." Especially on Dorman running back Christian Graham, who entered the game with more than 1,200 yards and a 7.2 yard average per rush, but was held to just 52 yards on nine carries. The Gaffney defense also battered Dorman quarterback Johnny Foster, who gained just 57 yards on 17 carries. Foster played sparingly after injuring his leg after a hard hit in the second half. Despite the stellar play of the Gaffney defense, it took some bizarre bounces of the football and some missed scoring opportunities by Dorman for the Indians to exit the stadium with a victory. The Cavaliers lost three fumbles, including one by wide receiver Christopher Graham, who fumbled at the Gaffney 5 after a long pass reception. The Dorman field goal kicker also slipped on the turf as his 35-yard field goal attempt fell well short on the last play of the first half. Dorman wide receiver Charon Peake let a sure touchdown drop through his hands early in the fourth quarter. But the ball bounced the Indians' way for the only score of the game. Dorman fumbled to give the Indians possession at the Cavalier 34. After a clipping penalty moved the ball to the 44, Steffon Foster fumbled. The ball squirted out of the pile and bounced toward the Dorman end zone, where Gaffney wide receiver recovered it at the 7. On the next play, Jeremiah Cochran, who gained 102 yards on 17 carries, rambled into the end zone virtually untouched. Josh Harris' extra point made it 7-0 with 5:14 left in the third quarter. The Cavaliers tried to answer the score after Gaffney's Cameron Smith fumbled a punt at his own 25-yard line. On a second-and- 10, Foster hit Christian Graham, whose fumble was recovered by Gaffney safety Johnny Woods. Fittingly, the Gaffney defense preserved the win with one last stand. Dorman had the ball at their own 13 with 4:50 left to play. The Cavaliers drove to the Gaffney 35, but Foster's fourth-down pass fell incomplete. Starting Gaffney quarterback David Dewberry had a rough game, completing 2 of his 10 passes for 22 yards. He was replaced by Bo Davidson after throwing an interception on a third-and-goal at the Dorman five in the second quarter. Davidson, whose presence seemed to calm a jittery Gaffney offense, completed 2 of his 3 throws for 16 yards. Davidson left the game on the first play of the fourth quarter with an apparent separated shoulder.
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