Unselfish attitude key to Indians' win streak
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

Quarterback Bo Davidson and his teammates have demonstrated a team-first attitude this season.

No Sidney Rice. No Malcolm Long. No problem for this year's Gaffney Indians.

Gaffney coach Phil Strickland said the secret to this year's team success has been its ability to come together as a team and not rely on an individual superstar to make the game-changing play.

"I think they've learned to play as a team," said Strickland, whose Indians will travel to Summerville on Friday with a trip to Columbia on the line. "We don't have a lot of superstars. We just have a lot of hard-nosed football players."

Strickland said the team adopted its unselfish attitude about three or four games ago.

"I think that's when they realized that if they play together and everybody contributes, then we have a chance to win," he said.

Strickland describes his team as blue-collar and winners.

"Everytime they step on the field, they think they are supposed to win," he said.

Although he considers each team special, Strickland admits this edition is unique.

"They are a special group," he said. "Each team has their own makeup, but I like the makeup of this team. They aren't a selfish bunch. They just like to win.

"They just play together. There isn't a lot of griping. They just forget about it and move on."

Strickland said another key to the team's recent success has been the development of the offense.

The offense is controlling the ball on the ground and not turning the ball over, he said.

In its second-round playoff matchup against Sumter, the Indians didn't commit a turnover and committed just two penalties.

"We are getting more consistent," he said. "That's what we need to do. We aren't going to score 50 points. If we control the ball, we have a chance to beat anybody."

That includes Summerville and its outstanding receiver A.J. Green.