Photo by LARRY HILLIARD Wide receiver Joe Craig is a rarity on this year's Gaffney team - he's a senior. Gaffney coach Phil Strickland calls this team the youngest he's had at Gaffney. Gaffney coach Phil Strickland firmly believes his Indians have the talent to compete with anybody in the state.

Friday would be a good time to prove it.

The Indians travel to Dorman, a team expected to compete for the state Class 4A state championship.

Last season, the Indians proved they could beat teams they were favored against. But they struggled against elited teams like Dorman, Byrnes and Northwestern.

Now, it's time for the Indians to rejoin the elite teams by beating an established power like the Cavaliers.

"I think we do (need to beat the elite teams)," Strickland said. "We have the talent to compete against anybody."

But just how fast this year's Gaffney team can make that jump to the next level will be determined by the development of their talented freshmen and sophomores.

"There is a lot of nuances to football," Strickland said. "Our job (as coaches) is to get them to learn it. A lot of the mistakes we've made in the preseason have been mental. You can coach but it's hard to put every scenario out there for them."

The Indians could start as many as three sophomores, two freshmen and several juniors on defense.

Let's not forget that despite his extraordinary skills, quarterback DeEdward Burris is just a junior with only a handful of varsity starts under his belt.

"This is the youngest team we've had here," Strickland added. "But they are really talented players. Now, they just have to learn how to play. You just have to throw them into the fire. I don't like to play freshmen, but they are really talented."

Despite its youth, Strickland said he's excited about the season.

"I have a really good feeling about the team," he said. "The coaches are working hard."