Off and grounded

Ledger Photo by CODY SOSSAMON Dorman Andrew Bailey grabs the uniform of Gaffney running back Jeremiah Cochran during Friday's opening game at the new Reservation. Gaffney produced a number of firsts in Friday's regular-season christening of the New Reservation.

Jeremiah Cochran ran for three yards on the first play from scrimmage.

Wide receiver Joe Craig caught the first pass.

Quarterback Bo Davidson recorded the initial first down.

Unfortunately, Dorman's Walt Canty scored the game's first - and only - touchdown to beat the Indians 6-0 in overtime.

The Indians missed a 27-yard field goal on their first possession of overtime. When the Cavaliers got possession, they got into their signature short-yard offense with Canty in the shotgun. Two plays later, Canty was in the end zone, igniting a post-game celebration from the Cavaliers and their fans.

The Indians and their fans had to deal with the bitter disappointment of losing the first regular season game in their new home.

After the game, Gaffney coach Phil Strickland second-guessed his strategy of going for a field goal on a fourth-and-three at the Dorman 9 early in the fourth quarter rather than going for the first down. Josh Harris' 26-yard field goal was blocked.

"It's a long season and we have 10 more games," Strickland said. "Maybe we should have went for it. We tried to draw them offside. But Dorman played well enough to win."

The loss spoiled a heroic effort by the inexperienced Gaffney defense - which returns only two starters but never quit.

But that was the end of the good stuff. Gaffney's new no-huddle offense, which looked sharp in the preseason, sputtered Friday, producing only 16 first downs and less than 300 total yards. Bo Davidson was 10 of 16 for 98 yards, but failed to complete a long pass against a Dorman secondary that gave the Indian wideouts plenty of cushion at the line of scrimmage.

"It just seems like it was one thing everytime," Strickland said. "But everything we did can be corrected."

Dorman's Ash Butler led all rushers with 108 yards on 15 carries. Dorman used three quarterbacks, who combined to complete only 3 passes in 11 attempts.

Craig also saw time at quarterback for the Indians. He tried just two passes, completing one for 11 yards. He did rush nine times for 55 yards.

After Gaffney missed on its field goal in the fourth quarter, Dorman took over at their own 10 and moved to the Gaffney 18. But Sammie Kennedy lost two yards on a thirdand 5, setting up a field goal miss from 38 yards midway through the fourth quarter. Neither team threatened the rest of the fourth quarter.

Dorman drove to the Indians 25 on their opening possession but missed a 42-yard field goal. Gaffney crossed midfield twice in the first half, but didn't generate any points.

Gaffney (0-1) hosts Greenville on Friday. Dorman, which improves to 2- 0, has a bye this week.