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Blacksburg battles veteran Indian Land
They weren't the winning lottery numbers but they put a big smile on the face of Indian Land head coach Mike Mayer.
The Warriors completed 10 of their 16 passes for 136 yards - six yards less than the team ran for in a win 14-7 win over Buford on Friday.
"We try to be balanced on offense but that's probably as balanced as we've been since I've been here," said Mayer, the former longtime Gaffney High assistant whose team hosts Indian Land in a 7:30 p.m. nonregion game today.
Both teams enter the game off a win. The Wildcats topped Southside Christian 29-7 to even their record at 1-1. In that game, Lennal Dasher, who had his elibility reinstated by the High School League the day before, rushed for 227 yards.
"The kids worked hard and it was good to get a win," Blacksburg coach Mickey Moss said.
And Dasher played a big role in the win.
"He's a good player with a lot of intensity," Moss said.
Dasher and the Wildcats will need that intensity against the experienced Warriors, who have 22 seniors on the roster.
"They have 22 seniors so they've been building for this year," Moss said.
The Warriors have experience - and talent.
Josh Camerire is a three year starter at quarterback.
"He has really learned the offense," Mayer said.
Rondreus Truesdale is another weapon. He rushed for 101 yards against Buford.
Defensively, the Warriors may lack that headline grabbing star but they are brimming with solid football players. Case in point - four players had 10 or more tackles in last week's game.
But Mayer said the unit must improve its tackling, especially against the run-oriented Wildcats who possess a strong and big offensive line.
Last week, several Wildcats were stricken with flu-like symptoms. This week, Mayer said he expects a healthier bunch of Wildcats, who also return quarterback Joseph Upchurch who was suspended for a game by the South Carolina High School League for coming to the aid of a teammate.
Mayer said the keys to the game are simple.
"We must stop the run and finish our own drives."
That was a problem last week for the Warriors, who turned the ball over three times inside their opponents' 20 -yard line.
Freshman Treyvon Parker stepped in for Upchurch last week and played well. Moss said it's uncertain who will start under center today.
Moss knows his defense faces a tough challenge against the balanced Warrior offense.
"They can run the ball and have a good passing game," he said.
But Moss is optimistic the Wildcats will find a way.
"Everyday we are getting better," he said. "The biggest thing has been the kids' attitude. Their attitude has been great."
GAME AT A GLANCE
WARRIORS VS. WILDCATS
Blacksburg (1-1) at Indian Land (1-0)
Players to Watch: Blacksburg QB Treyvon Parker, RB Chase Hames, DL Alex Campbell Indian Land QB Josh Camerire, RB Rondreus Truesdale .
The Wildcats will win - if they limit their turnovers and build on the confidence they got from a win over Southside Christian last week.
The Warriors will win - if they move the ball consistently on the Wildcats and finish off scoring drives.








