Player Profile

"They thought they needed me on the field some place. " - Khris Brown

Good thing Gaffney's Khris Brown has broad shoulders because he's shouldering more responsibility this season.

A starter at safety a year ago, Brown learned this summer the coaching staff wanted to take advantage of his sure hands at wide receiver, as well.

As challenging as playing both wide receiver and safety might be, Brown feels ready to make the most of this opportunity.

"I was working out this summer and coach (Perry) Woolbright told me I'd be playing both ways," Brown said. "I like being on the field. I just do my best to help the team to get back to the state (championship game)."

In fact, Brown said his experience at defensive back will make him an even more polished wide receiver.

"I can figure out what the defensive back is doing and take advantage of that," he said.

Through two games, Burris has become the team's go-to receiver with five touchdown catches, including a jaw-dropping 47-yard diving TD reception against Greenville last Friday.

Brown's performances have even the normally guarded Gaffney coach Phil Strickland gush that, (Brown) "is just a heckuva football player."

Brown has always been about either catching or intercepting passes.

A fixture at wide receiver on the middle school and ninth-grade teams, he was prepared to play wide receiver on the junior varsity last season when he learned the varsity coaches had other ideas.

With the graduation of some key defensive backs, the coaches were looking for a safety. His speed and instincts for the game made him a promising defensive back.

"They thought they needed me on the field some place, so they found me a spot," Brown said. "And I made the most of it."

Brown traces his sure hands to endless hours of playing catch in his backyard.

"When I was younger all my dad (Willie Brown) did was throw the football to me," he said.

But Brown scoffs at the notion that he's nothing more than a sure-handed, possession receiver. He insists he has big-play ability, too.

"I have the speed now," he said. "I can move the chains and get deep."

It also helps that he has a strong off-thefield relationship with quarterback DeEdward Burris that translates into an on-the-field rapport.

"He knows my speed and how I am," Brown said. "We had an outstanding year together when we were both on the ninth-grade freshmen team."

Despite the loss of wideouts Jeff Brown and Emison Hughes, Brown is confident the Indians' passing game with wideouts Joe Craig, Quinshad Davis and himself will be just as potent this season.

"We have lost some talent but we have the confidence," he said. "We have speed, height and hands."

With that speed, height and hands, the Indians may be making a return trip to the state championship game, according to the confident Brown.

"We have the talent," he said. "We just all have to work together and we'll have a good season."