Photo by LARRY HILLIARD Gaffney's Joe Craig takes a break after running back the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown at Friday's Border Showcase Classic at Crest High School. The Chargers scored two late touchdowns to beat the Indians, 16-14. Gaffney's Joe Craig created warm 'n' fuzzies when he ran the opening kickoff back for a 95 yard touchdown.

But Indian emotions turned a tad cooler when Crest rallied for two late touchdowns and a 16-14 victory at Friday's Border Showcase Classic at Crest High School on Friday.

The Indians dominated play in the first quarter and held a comfortable 14-3 lead after DeEdward Burris, who was recognized after the game as the team's most outstanding performer, found Khris Brown in the end zone for a touchdown.

But Gaffney head coach Phil Strickland said the Indians left some points off the board.

"The way we moved the ball and we only punted one time, you are supposed to score more than 14 points," he said.

Gaffney turned the ball over twice - both inside the Crest 35 yard line.

Buoyed by a home crowd and familiar surroundings, the green-and-gold clad Chargers refused to pack it in.

They scored on a long touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-10 with 5:09 left in the second quarter.

Crest got the ball back after its defense forced a three and out.

Crest quarterback Reggie Wilkins converted a huge fourth-and-three at the Indians' 38. A facemask penalty after the long gain moved the ball inside the 2 yard line.

The Indians' defense didn't budge on the first two plays, but wide receiver Patrick Bowman found an open spot in the middle of the end zone for a touchdown with only :8.9 left in the game.

No time ran off on the kickoff because of a timer error, but the Indians never threaten on their last several plays.

Strickland said the late-game situation could be learning experience for his team.

"It's always good to play in a situation like that late in the game," he said. "Hopefully, we'll grow from this and learn you can't sit on a lead."

Spartanburg blanked Polk County, 13-0, to open the event. In the second game, the nationally-ranked Byrnes Rebels topped Shelby, 21-7. Quarterback Chas Dodd looked sharp, connecting on 9 of his 12 throws for 141 yards, including a 75-yard TD strike on the game's first play.