Improved Vikes renew rivalry with Indians

"(Spartanburg) has gotten better each week." - Phil Strickland Straining to see every play until the final seconds almost has been required of fans when Gaffney and Spartanburg meet on the football field.

Gaffney edged the Vikings, 14-7, last season. The two storied programs renew their rivalry today at the Reservation.

First-year Spartanburg coach Freddie Brown is aware of the rivalry.

"I've been around here since 1988, so I know about the rivalry," Brown said. "Right now, it's Byrnes. But it's still Gaffney and Spartanburg. It's a heavyweight fight and it's special."

Spartanburg (3-2) enters the game on a 2-game winning streak beating Sumter and Greenwood. The Vikings opened the season with a loss to Dorman before a shutout victory over Union County.

"We've gotten better each week," Brown said.

Brown, the former Wofford assistant coach and head coach of Woodruff, prefers the spread offense. And he has a talented quarterback to run it - Conelius Jones.

"He has a lot of talent," Brown said. "He's a first-year starter who has had his ups and downs."

Markeith Hailstock is the Vikings' leading rusher. "He's doing a good job," Brown said.

Brown also had praise for an improving offensive line and receiving corps.

"They have gotten better each week," he said.

The Vikings have some playmakers on defense, as well, with Kelvin Wilkins and Darren Foster at safety.

"They have made some plays," Brown said.

Gaffney also enters the game at 3-2 after Friday's humbling 42-14 loss to No. 1-ranked Byrnes.

"We have to come out and play with the intensity we are capable of playing with," Gaffney coach Phil Strickland said. "We have to put a whole game together."

The Indians failed to do that against Byrnes. They fell behind 20-0 at the halftime before pulling within 27-14 in the third quarter.

"We played half-heartedly in the first half and played tentatively," Strickland said.

Strickland said the team can't afford a similar first-half effort against the surging Vikings.

"They started out not too swift but have come back to play good football," Strickland said. "They are on a roll and are playing with a lot of confidence."

Strickland said a key to the game will be to stop the versatile Jones.

"We have to keep him in check," he said. "We can't let him have a big game."

Strickland is impressed with the Vikings' running game. The Indian defense is giving up an uncharacteristic 171 yards a game on the ground.

"They are blocking better and their running back is running harder," he said.

Defensively, the Vikings don't blitz much out of their 4-man front. But Strickland said that could change after the Vikings review the Byrnes game tape.

Brown said the Vikings will have to play their best to be competitive against the Indians.

"This is a traditional Gaffney team," Brown said. "They are big and strong."

Brown said the Indians are adjusting quickly to their new no-huddle offense.

"They are doing the right thing," he said. "It just takes time to perfect it. Every coach will tell you that they want their team to be playing their best later in the season."

Despite replacing eight starters, Brown said the Indian defense has the potential to develop into a formidable unit.

"They are young enough that they can grow to become a great defense," Brown said.

Brown said the Vikings hope to continue on their roll. But to do that, they must avoid turnovers and mistakes in the kicking game.