THE TOP 10 stories of 2008

Despite inclement weather, thousands of fans flocked to the opening of the new home of the beloved Gaffney Indians. 1. Out with the old and in with the new, stadium, that is.

Despite some delays and anxious moments, the new 8,250-seat, $9 million home of the Gaffney Indians was completed in time for the team's season opener against Dorman on Friday, Aug. 29.

A ceremony to capture the passing of the torch from the Indians' old home, venerable Brumbach Stadium, to the new facility was televised on the new football stadium's video scoreboard.

With outstretched arms, the Indian mascot paid tribute to the hallowed grounds of the former Reservation, its teams and players who made the stadium so memorable.

He then fell to his knees and began digging in the grass near midfield to unearth a football. He also gathered some of the dirt on the field and placed it in a pouch.

After one last yell, he stepped into a waiting helicopter with ball and dirt in tow for the short trip to the Indians' new Reservation.

Mickey Moss As the fans spied the advancing helicopter, they rose and cheered. Not even the whipping helicopter rotors could drown out the noisy throng.

When the helicopter landed at midfield, the mascot disembarked with the football high over his head.

His job nearly complete, he sprinkled the dirt of the old Reservation onto the sod of the new Reservation with hopes the spirits, good fortune and string of state championships follow the team to its new home.

Unfortunately, the good fortune didn't follow the Indians this year, as they posted a 2-4 mark in their new home.

2. Native son returns.

School trustees unanimously hired Blacksburg native Mickey Moss to be the new Blacksburg High football coach in February. Moss came with good credentials, compiling a 163-137 record at four schools, including Wren High School. He led East Clarendon to four region titles and a Class A state championship in 1985. He also coached at Lake City and Saluda high schools. Lake City made the playoffs in 10 of his 13 season.

Moss brought several members of his Wren staff with him.

Malcolm Long Despite some rocky times and only two wins this season, Moss did guide the Wildcats to a rare playoff appearance.

Moss followed Robbie Blanton, who announced his resignation in January. Blanton continued as the school's athletic director.

3. No huddle.

Nothing captivates the county like Gaffney High football. And this year was no exception. A significant coaching change and the move to the no-huddle offense kept the football chat going during the spring.

The resignation of offensive coordinator Charlie Patterson to become the head coach at Hanahan High School, prompted head coach Phil Strickland to hire former Appalachian State quarterback and coach Perry Woolbright, who assumed the duties as the team's new passing coordinator. Longtime offensive coach Donnie Littlejohn was named the team's running coordinator.

Woolbright was hired, in part, to install the team's new no-huddle offense, which was implemented to better attack opponents' changing defenses.

It took some time for the team to adjust to the new offense but the team was hitting its stride at playoff time. The Indians upset No. 3 seed Summerville 40-10 in the first round of the playoffs but were denied another trip to the championship game with a controversial overtime loss to Sumter in the second round.

AZ Reid 4. Success breeds success.

Former Gaffney High standouts continued to make news at the next level. And in the case of Sidney Rice and Rocky Mcintosh, in the pros.

Andy Strickland, son of Gaffney High football coach Phil Strickland, was named to the Coaches All-Southern Conference Second Team.

At the time of the announcement, he led the Terriers in receiving with 31 catches for 594 yards and seven touchdowns. He completed his career fifth on the school's alltime list in receiving yards and third in receiving touchdowns.

Malcolm Long, the state's former Mr. Football, completed more than 60 percent of his passes to lead South Carolina State to its first playoff appearance in 26 years.

Another former Indian standout, Jarvis Littlejohn, received second team defensive honors on this year's All-South Atlantic Conference team.

Justin Sarratt On the hardwood, Appalachian State's Donald Sims was selected to the all-freshman team.

On the professional level, McIntosh had a solid season with more than 80 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception for the Washington Redskins.Rice, who battled injuries this season, had 15 catches and four touchdowns for the playoff-bound Minnesota.

5. Italy bound.

Gaffney native AZ Reid had just boarded a plane home from Italy when he got a phone call that could change his life.

Reid signed a six figure contract in August to play for Veneza against other European teams in the Italian basketball league.

Reid, a former Gaffney High standout, earned the opportunity with his performance playing at the guard and shooting guard positions in the Italian summer league. He averaged 19 points and 7 rebounds.

Reid helped Gaffney High win two state championships in basketball in 2003 and 2004 and followed that up by becoming the 2-time Big South Player of the Year and the league's all-time rebounder at High Point University.

Although he wasn't drafted by the NBA, he did work out for Golden State, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Charlotte Bobcats.

6. The next big thing.

While the Gaffney baseball and softball teams did qualify for postseason play, the Gaffney golf team made the biggest news by finishing second at the 4A state tournament. Playing with the poise of battletested seniors, the Indians, featuring one senior, two juniors, a pair of sophomores and a seventh-grader shot a 936 to finish second to Dutch Fork.

The Indians were in second after a solid first round 307, but slipped to a tie with Easley after a second round 318. They regrouped to shoot a steady, if unspectacular final round 310.

The Indians were led by Matthew Hopper, who finished second overall. Other team members Rogers, Daniel Whisenant, Will Coggins and Trey Taylor.

7. Tracking the Indians.

Joe Craig never ran on one. Neither did former Olympian Timmy Montgomery.

After years of competing on foreign tracks because the Gaffney Indians had no competition worthy home track facility, work was completed this year on a $1.33 million 8- lane competition rubberized track at the high school.

The track was built on the soccer field.

The home track will make its debut this spring - just in time for what is expected to be a stellar season for both the boys and girls track teams.

8. Diamond gems.

In July, we added all-star starter to the growing list of accomplishments for former Gaffney High baseball standout Justin Sarratt.

Sarratt, a reliever for Clemson University, was named the starting pitcher for the Coastal Plains All-Star Game.

At the time of his selection, he was 5-1 with the Thomasville Hi-Toms with an ERA of 1.37, the fourth best in the CPL.

He also was selected as the Rawlings Coastal Plain League's Co-Pitcher of the Week three times.

Another former Gaffney High baseball standout, Ben Dollar, made news by signing a professional baseball contract in July with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was signed following a tryout.

He was assigned to the Diamondbacks Single A affiliate in Yakama, Washington.

9. The Next Tiger

Former Gaffney High golfer Josh Gallman continued to put up impressive numbers at USC Upstate in 2008.

Gallman captured four tournaments and was named the conference's player of the month three times.

10. Georgia on their minds

In July, the Blacksburg All- Stars received an invitation to play in the Cal Ripken League Southeast Tournament for ages 12 and under.

Team members include Jake Morgan, Adam Lawhorn, Jacob Gibson, Brooke Hope, Tyler Cobb, Tyler Camp, Lance Moore, Andrew Pennington, Jay Batxer, Alex Raines and Brandon Scruggs.