File Photo Former Gaffney High linebacker J.B. Shippy (4) zeroes in on a tackle in last year's game wtih Summerville. The Green Wave scored a last-minute touchdown to down the Indians, 23-22, to earn a spot in the title game. Who will have the last laugh this time?

Gaffney (6-5) and Summerville (9-2) , the two most storied prep programs in South Carolina which have combined for 28 state championships, renew their rivalry in today's opening round of the Class AAAA Division I playoffs. And if recent history is any indication, no one will be leaving early.

In last season's semifinal game, Reid McCollum threw a touchdown pass with 1:01 remaining to give the Green Wave a dramatic 23-22 victory.

In the 2005 state championship game, the Indians rallied from a 12-point, fourth-quarter deficit to earn a thrilling 33-32 victory.

Neither team is expected to get that far this year. But that doesn't mean there won't be any last-second heroics.

"I hope we have another good game," Summerville legendary coach John McKissick said.

The No. 3 seeded Green Wave enter the game on an 8-game win streak. But McKissick cautioned not to read too much into the team's impressive record.

"We aren't playing very good," he said.

Summerville had its hands full against winless Colleton County before escaping with a 19-14 win this past Friday.

"We only played two good games all year," McKissick said. "We beat Goose Creek (38-22) and Beaufort 27-6) other than those games we are just getting by."

Despite McKissick's candid assessment, the Green Wave are just a couple of points away from being undefeated.

The Green Wave dropped its opener 21-20 to Conway and lost to Irmo 16-14.

McCollum is gone but Donny McElveen has proved to be an able replacement. The Shrine Bowl quarterback is leading an offense that is averaging 24 points a game. McElveen is completing 63 percent of his passes for 1,327 yards and six touchdowns. He has been intercepted eight times.

Gaffney coach Phil Strickland said what worries him the most about the Green Wave offense is its balance.

"They can throw and run the ball," Strickland said. "They started this year in the spread but now they are more of a conventional I-team."

There's no big-play threat like AJ Green, but Tyler Veronee is a reliable receiver with 29 receptions.

DeAngelo Henderson leads the team in rushing with 672 yards.

The Green Wave defense is another concern for Strickland. But it appears to be susceptible to the run, giving up an average of 150 yards a game on the ground.

"It's a real solid defense," Strickland said. "They have really good down linemen."

Strickland said the Green Wave likes to crowd the line of scrimmage to stop the run.

"If they are going to put seven in the box, we have to be able to beat that," he said.

Defensive back Michael Varner leads the team in tackles with 64.

Unlike the Green Wave, the Indians are on a 2-game losing streak. Strickland said the team missed opportunities on offense and missed too many tackles on defense against Northwestern.

But Strickland said the team must look forward.

"Right now, it's anybody's ball game," he added. "You can throw the regular season record out."