Long may be sidelined for Bulldogs' playoff run

South Carolina State will make its first playoff appearance in 26 years after clinching the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship. S.C. State (9-2) may have to make their playoff run without the services of starting quarterback Malcolm Long.

Long, a former Gaffney star, has not played the past two weeks since injuring his shoulder in a game against Deleware State.

Long, who has thrown for 1,600 yards, has been held out of action while recovering from a sprain to his non-throwing shoulder. His status for the rest of the season is uncertain.

SC State will close out the regular season Saturday against North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, NC. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m.

Former Gaffney linemen Kevin Brockman and Lavar Ross play Saturday in the Eagle Bowl in Oakland, Calif.

Brockman and Ross are freshmen on the Feather Ridge Community College football team. Brockman is an offensive lineman and Ross plays on the defensive line. Feather Ridge (6-4) will play Laney College in the Eagle Bowl.

Tusculum 34,

Albany State 22

Linebacker Jarvis Littlejohn (Gaffney) had 10 tackles to key the defensive effort in a comeback win over Albany State in the first of the playoffs.

The 23rd-ranked Tusculum College football team rallied with 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Pioneers defeated Albany State University.

Appalachian State 24,

Elon 16

Appalachian State University became just the fourth program in Southern Conference history to win four-consecutive football championships with a win over No. 11 Elon on Saturday afternoon at wintry Kidd Brewer Stadium.

Starting center Brett Irvin (Gaffney) and his offensive line teammates helped true freshman quarterback DeAndre Presley lead the Mountaineers on a 12-play, 68- yard drive to extend the lead to 24- 16.

Wofford 28,

Samford 7

Senior wide receiver Andy Strickland made his mark on special teams. Strickland (Gaffney) returned two punts for 20 yards. He touched the ball only twice on offense, gaining a yard. Wofford finishes the regular season Saturday against Furman.

Liberty 30,

Gardner-Webb 10

Former Gaffney wide receiver Tyson Petty returned two kickoffs for 37 yards as Gardner Webb closed out its season. Petty had one carry for seven yards on offense. Liberty took advantage of five Gardner-Webb turnovers in the win. Gardner-Webb finished with a 5-6 record.