A lot at stake for Indians

Ledger Photo by LARRY HILLIARD GHS linebacker John Michaels (24) and the defensive unit to be tested against Clover and Northwestern. Despite posting a shutout and limiting Fort Mill to a meager 108 total yards, Gaffney defensive coordinator Dan Jones was hestitant to praise his unit too much.

That's because the unit's toughest tests are yet to come.

"I hope our kids are excited," said Jones referring to Friday's game against Clover and the regular season ending matchup with Northwestern on Nov. 7. "I hope they realize the importance of it."

To say a lot is at stake for the Indians would be an understatement.

The Indians would lock up one of the top four seeds in the Class 4A Division I playoffs with victories over Clover and Northwestern.

That's signficant since the USA Today's former No. 1 team, the Byrnes Rebels, will likely be a No. 5 or No. 6 seed after their loss to Dorman on Friday.

But Jones said his unit must focus on the Clover Blue Eagles and their potent Wing-T offense rather than the playoffs.

"This will be a physical game," Jones said. "They will challenge our kids. Clover is going to come right at you. It will be a lot of one-on-one challenges and that's what football is all about."

"The game will be all about who wants to be the tougher team," he added.

The defense seems to be peak- ing at the right time. The defense has allowed 20 points in its last three games. The Indians pass defense has been especially stingy.

For the season, the Indians are allowing an average of less than 85 yards through the air. Fort Mill quarterback Danny Till completed only 5 of 16 passes for 42 yards.

Lineman Coby Beckham had a big game Friday with four tackles for losses and a sack. Linebacker Quincey Jackson also chipped in with a couple of sacks.

"They were standouts on defense," Jones said. "(Fort Mill) caught us a little bit on the option, but after we adjusted the unit as a whole played well."