3-peat within reach
GHS scores on long-sustained drives to upend Gamecocks
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

Photo by JOE HUGHES II Gaffney's Jeremiah Cochran runs through a hole during second-quarter action Friday.

The Gaffney Indians got the best of Sumter - again.

Jeremiah Cochran rushed for two touchdowns and the defense held the high-powered Gamecock offense to only 161 total yards as the 2-time defending state champion Indians advanced to the Class 4A Division I semifinals with a 21-14 win on Friday.

Gaffney, which holds a 10-1 edge in the overall series with Sumter, travels to Summerville on Friday.

The Indians used a methodical running attack to dominate time of possession by more than 13 minutes and keep the Gamecock offense and 1,300-yard rusher Roderick McDowell off the field.

The Indians' two first-half drives came on 13- play drives. Gaffney needed 11 plays to go 36 yards for its final touchdown.

"That was the game plan to keep the ball on the ground," Gaffney coach Phil Strickland said.

Gaffney went to the air just 12 times. Sophomore Joe Craig, who replaced Bo Davidson after the first series, was quietly efficient, completing 6 of 11 passes for 78 yards.

Craig said he's feeling more at ease at quarterback.

"At first, I didn't feel like I fit in," Craig said. "This is the first year I've played quarterback, but I'm getting more comfortable."

Craig praised the running backs and offensive line for controlling the game. Steffen Foster had 69 yards on 19 carries, while Cochran added 55 yards on 15 carries.

"The running backs ran hard and the offensive line stepped up," Craig said.

The Gamecocks showed how explosive they could be, marching 50 yards on just two plays on their first possession to go up 7-0 on Steven Lewis' 23-yard run.

The Indians quickly regrouped and went 64 yards on 13 plays to tie the game at 7 on Cochran's 1-yard run with 5:03 left in the first quarter. Craig had the key play in the drive, completing a 14-yard pass to Emison Hughes on a third-and-12 from the Gamecock 35.

The Gamecocks appeared poised to take the lead, but were whistled for holding on a thirdand 6 at the Indians' 11-yard line. O'Brian Sanford stopped the threat with a fourth-down sack.

Gaffney took over on downs and marched 62 yards on 13 plays to take the lead for good on another Cochran run. Foster converted a fourth-and-1 to keep the drive alive.

The Indians struck quickly in the second half, recovering Lewis' fumble at the Sumter 36. Eleven plays later, Craig and Hughes hooked up on a 7-yard scoring toss with 6:16 left in the third quarter.

Sumter drove to the Indians' 8, but came away with no points when David Chambers' missed a 30-yard field goal.

The Gamecocks' offense failed to move the ball the rest of the game, but the special teams came up big when Travis Freidmon returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown with 2:24 left to play.

Gaffney recovered the onside kick and - fittingly - ran out the clock with its ground game.