"(Union County) is extremely quick." - Phil Strickland Gaffney coach Phil Strickland sums up today's opponent, Union County, in one word - "quick."

"They are extremely quick," Strickland said.

Union County coach Dave Lipsey prefers a less enthusiastic word to describe his team - inexperienced.

The Yellow Jackets return only four starters.

"We are just very inexperienced and we are making mistakes," Lipsey said.

That inexperience was evident Friday in an embarrassing 31-0 loss to Spartanburg.

Lipsey pointed the finger at his defense, which has struggled in adjusting to a new coordinator.

"We didn't tackle well or play well," he said. "We are struggling and giving up too many big plays."

Strickland knows how he feels. The Indians have struggled with the transition to new passing coordinator Perry Woolbright's offense.

Gaffney is averaging only 11.5 points and 145 yards through the air a game this season.

"We just had a breakdown on every play," Strickland said. "We had missed blocks and we would run the wrong routes. We hadn't make that many mistakes in the preseason. But we have a lot of kids who haven't been out there and hadn't played. We just broke down in a lot of places. We can't rely on defense to score for us."

Both teams enter the game with 1-1 marks. Union County edged Chester 32-31 in its season opener, while the Indians were shut out by Dorman 7-0 in week one before rebounding with a workmanlike 23- 13 victory over Greenville last Thursday.

Lipsey said he expects the impressive Gaffney team that beat Greenville to show up against his Yellow Jackets.

"I'm just very impressed with them," said Lipsey, who was able to scout the Indians in person since the Indians moved their game with Greenville from Friday to Thursday. "They have a good football team."

Lipsey likes the Indians' offensive line, especially huge bookend tackles Denzelle Good and James Costello..

He also is leery of Indian running back Jeremiah Cochran, who is averaging 5 yards a rush this season; and quarterback Bo Davidson, who is completing 60 percent of his passes.

"(Davidson) makes them go," he said. "He can pass and run the ball. I'm impressed with them."

Lipsey said he's concerned the Indians will wear down his undersized defense.

"We have to worry about the depth of their offense," he said. "We don't have a lot of size."

Because of their lack of size, the Yellow Jackets will likely blitz frequently to disrupt the Indians' offense.

Strickland has his share of worries about the Yellow Jackets, namely on offense. Quarterback Keiston Stevens is an elusive runner and dangerous passer. Dion Thompson and Jeremy Porter are a couple of sure-handed receivers.

As usual. the Yellow Jackets possess a talented running back in Lamont Edney, who topped the 100- yard mark in each game this season. Strickland said his defense must limit Edney's big plays.

The Yellow Jackets will rely on the homefield advantage for a boost. Union was undefeated at home last season.

"We just seem to play better at home," Lipsey said.

Gaffney took advantage of its home crowd last season to beat Union 27-7.

"It's always a good game," Strickland said.