"If we don't stop the option, it will be a long night." - Phil Strickland The only difference in this year's Gaffney team is the place where they call home, Dorman coach Dave Gutshall says.

"They are really the same old Gaffney," said Gutshall, whose Cavaliers travel to the new Reservation for an 8 p.m. kickoff today.

That means the Cavaliers must brace themselves for a stout defense, a punishing running game and a new offense. But Gutshall isn't concerned about the Indians' new no-huddle scheme.

"It's not a big change," he said. "We do it and and our defense sees it everyday. Obviously, it creates a substitution problem, though."

Surprisingly, last year's matchup turned into a defensive struggle with Gaffney earning a hardfought victory.

Don't expect a repeat today if the preseason is any indication. The Indians have moved the ball effectively in two jamborees and a couple of scrimmages, while five Cavaliers scored in a convincing season-opening 47-10 victory over Spartanburg last Friday.

Gutshall thinks the Indians have several dangerous offensive weapons.

"We can't let them have the big play. Obviously, they have one of the best running backs (Jeremiah Cochran) in the state," the Dorman coach said. "They also have a huge offensive line."

The Cavaliers also boast talented and big-play offensive performers, according to Gaffney coach Phil Strickland.

"They just have weapon after weapon," Strickland said.

Here's a few - quarterback Johnny Foster, who threw for 994 yards a year ago and eight touchdowns in 2007; wide receiver Charon Peake, who caught 24 passes for 530 yards a year ago; and running back Ash Butler, who rushed for 113 yards in the team's win over the Vikings last week.

The Cavaliers also return five starters on the offensive line.

To stop the Cavaliers' vaunted option offense, the Indians must play mistake-free on defense.

"You have to play assignment football," Strickland said. "They will run the football, but they aren't afraid to pass."

That's a concern for the Indians, who are still unsettled at two of the three secondary positions.

"No doubt that's a worry for us," the Gaffney coach said. "But they have gotten better."

It appears that Bo Davidson will start at quarterback for the Indians. Davidson battled Joe Craig and DeEdward Burris for the job during the preseason.

"It was a heckuva competition," the coach said. "All three are very talented. (Davidson) has worked his butt off and he doesn't like to lose."

An offseason program has strengthened his arm, according to Strickland.

Davidson will likely have to go deep to loosen up the Cavaliers' defense, which will crowd the line to stop the run. But Davidson won't have it easy against Dorman cornerbacks Walt Canty and Taylor Sowell, who form one of the top tandems in the state.

Gutshall also believes the Cavaliers, who attempted just five passes against Spartanburg, will likely have to throw the ball to move the chains against the Indians.

Turnovers will play a key role in today's outcome, according to Gutshall. For Strickland, the Indians must do one thing if they want to smile after the game - stop the option.

"If we don't stop the option, it will be a long night," he said.