Gaffney tries to remain on roll at Hanna

"They (Hanna wideouts) are both tall and they can just throw it up to them." - Phil Strickland You'd think the T.L. Hanna Yellow Jackets would possess one of the most feared passing games in the state with two Division I prospects at wide receiver.

You'd be wrong.

First-year Hanna coach Kenya Fouch said the talented wideout duo of Quinton Payton, who has verbally committed to N.C. State and Martavis Bryant, a junior who has committed to play for Clemson, haven't gotten the ball enough.

"They have been doubleteamed and we haven't done a good job of protecting the quarterback," Fouch said.

Expect that trend to continue when the highly-ranked Gaffney Indians travel to Hanna today.

"We are going to have to raise our level of play," Fouch said. "They are really good."

The teams enter today's game headed in different directions. The Yellow Jackets have lost two straight, including a one-point setback last Friday to Mauldin, after a season opening win over Westside. After dropping its opener, Gaffney has rolled to wins over Greenville and Union.

"We are starting to play a little harder," Gaffney coach Phil Strickland said. "The kids are learning what they are supposed to do. I think we are headed in the right direction."

Strickland said he's concerned about Hanna's wide receivers.

"They are both tall and they can just throw it up to them," he said.

Strickland said the Yellow Jackets are just a play or two away from being undefeated.

"They've been in every game," he said. "They had two touchdowns called back against Mauldin."

Fouch said his team needs more consistent play from sophomore quarterback Dajun Martin.

"He is a good athlete who can run and throw but he has to start throwing to the right place," Fouch said.

The offensive line, which graduated all five seniors, is another problem spot.

"They haven't played well," he said. "We have all new starters."

Both teams use the spread offense. In fact, Fouch said the teams are a mirror image of each other on offense.

"They run the same offense we do," he said.

Strickland agrees.

"They are a lot like us," the Gaffney coach said. "They should be easy to prepare for."

The teams also run the same defensive scheme. Although, Fouch points out the Indians like to use a 3-man front.

The strength of the Yellow Jacket defense is its inside backers Joey Farmer and Jake Nicolopulos. Defensive end Garrett Boulware and free safelty Devin Stowers also are talented players.

Strickland said the Indians must block the Hanna linebackers to open up lanes for the running game.

For Fouch, the Yellow Jackets' formula for success centers on the play of its offensive line.

"We have to protect the quarterback and open up space for the running game," he said. "Gaffney has a real aggresive defensive line that likes to get after it."