Byrnes fan 'invades' Harold's on the day of rivalry game

Greg Tarver takes a ribbing for his Byrnes football apparel Friday from Harold's employee Sheila Hanvey. Tarver, a Byrnes football fan, ate in the Gaffney restaurant to honor a promise made to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. Greg Tarver walked into Harold's Friday proudly decked out in his latest Byrnes football gear and braced for the negative reaction.

Tarver knew he was headed into enemy territory as he honored a company bet made for the annual Gaffney- Byrnes football rivalry. The vice president challenged employees at The Robert Allen Group to raise $500 this week towards the Gaffney company's contribution to Relay for Life. Employees raised nearly $900 in one of many fundraising activities the company does annually for the American Cancer Society.

This prompted Tarver to wear an anti-Gaffney football shirt into Harold's underneath a bright blue Byrnes football jacket.The wardrobe choice was a natural fit for Tarver, whose son Travis is an offensive lineman on the Byrnes football team. He commutes to work in Gaffney each week from his home in Moore in Spartanburg County.

Tony Lipscomb and Greg Tarver "Our company has done a fundraiser in connection with the Gaffney-Byrnes football game for the past four years. It usually involves putting me in harm's way in some way," Tarver said. "When we played here two years ago, I had to sit on the Gaffney home side and watch the game in my Byrnes outfit. I had a lot of fun with the Gaffney fans, but it was a little rough."

This time Tarver had to eat his lunch in one of Gaffney's most popular restaurants. Opening in 1932, Harold's is well known nationally for its chili burgers, hot dogs and southern dishes such as pinto beans. Harold's owner Tony Lipscomb noted customers from all 50 states have eaten in his restaurant since it was featured on the Food Network last year.

Lipscomb was more than happy to serve one Byrnes football fan, even if came before a big rivalry game.

"Harold's is very supportive of Relay for Life and how it helps our community," Lipscomb said. "We think it's a great cause."

Former Gaffney linebacker Billy Richards accompanied Tarver into Harold's. They ate their lunch under a large Gaffney football banner.

County councilman Quay Little was among several Indians fans who stopped beside the table to have a few words with Tarver.

The Byrnes football team had the last laugh on the field with a 42-14 victory over Gaffney on Friday, but the real winners are the many cancer survivors helped with research funded through local support of Relay for Life, Tarver said.

The overnight event helps raise money for cancer research to help the American Cancer Society in its effort to fight the deadly disease.

"Cancer touches every family. It has hit home for me this year, especially with my wife battling cancer," Tarver said. "I just want to help out any way I can. This lunch was just a way I could have a little fun with it before the big game."