Defense has its way with heralded stars

Photo by LARRY HILLIARD The GHS defense swarms a Hanna ball carrier during first-quarter action Friday. Hanna's Dajon Martin was where no quarterback wants to be - facing the stingy Gaffney defense.

The Gaffney defense harassed Martin, who completed 12 of his 26 throws for only 62 yards.

Most of his throws were fade routes to Hanna's tall wide receivers Martavius Bryant and Quinton Payton. But Gaffney cornerbacks Stephon Adams and Jordan Manning were up for the challenge, each scoring a touchdown and outplaying the more heralded wide receivers.

Adams scooped up Payton's fumble and returned it 43 yards for the game's first touchdown.

Manning scored on a 30-yard touchdown return.

That's far more production than either Payton and Bryant.

Payton, an N.C. State commitment, had one catch for minus three yards. Bryant, who has given a verbal commitment to Clemson, had one catch for four yards.

"Most of the time they were one-on-one with them," Gaffney defensive coordinator Dan Jones said. "They got good position and knocked the ball away."

Stephon Adams Adams was particularly impressive when Hanna drove to the Indian 27 late in the third quarter. The drive stalled when Adams knocked away two straight passes intended for Payton in the end zone.

In addition to Adams and Manning, Jones also said the defensive line had a huge game, pressuring Martin into mistakes.

"The defensive line had to step up and put pressure on the quarterback," Jones said. "Hanna had some good athletes, but probably the weakest part of their team was their offensive line."

Jones quickly put Friday's outcome in the past and began to focus on the highlyexplosive Byrnes Rebels.

"They have a bunch of returners. And on paper they are better than us, but our kids are looking forward to it," he said.

Jordan Manning