It doesn’t take much for Gaffney head coach Phil Strickland and his football team to get amped up about tonight’s matchup with Byrnes.

After all, the winner in each of the past six matchups has went on to claim one of Class 4A’s two state titles.

However, past games and statistics will be the farthest thing from Strickland’s mind as his team visits the Rebels to renew acquaintances with one of the Indians’ most bitter rivals.

The coach is too busy looking for chinks in Byrnes’ armor that would give his team some sort of advantage in tonight’s contest.

“It’s apparent that they are a mighty talented team with a lot of athletes,” Strickland said. “Byrnes has a lot of weapons on both sides of the ball and we are going to have our hands full.”

Especially against a vaunted Rebels attack that includes running back Marcus Lattimore and quarterback Chas Dodd, who has thrown only one interception thus far this season.

“(Dodd) throws the ball pretty well, and will make you pay if you’re out of position,” Strickland said. “Match that with Lattimore, and a bunch of talented receivers and you have quite a lot of things to look for on defense.”

Strickland said the Indians hope to slow down the Byrnes offense by giving Dodd different looks on defense.

“We’re going to play our defense, we’re not scrapping anything at this point,” Strickland said. “But we hope to maybe put a nickel back out there, and possibly mix between a three and four man front just to give him a few different looks. We’re not going to sit in one defense and let him pick us apart.”

Underrated on defense, the Gaffney coaching staff is expecting the Rebels to play a lot of gap control defense, mostly in an effort to confuse the opposing quarterback and offensive line.

“Byrnes definitely does a lot of gambling on the defensive side of the ball,” Strickland said. “They keep you guessing and play very fast. It’s up to us to make sure we play sound, assignment based football and make sure each gap is covered.

When two teams play each other on an annual basis, there are few secrets between them. This rivalry is no different, as Strickland said he sees very little change in what the Rebels have done in the past, and what they are doing now.

“Obviously little has changed,” Strickland said. “We know what offense they like to play and what defense they like to line up in.

“Everyone is pretty familiar with what the other is doing; the team that executes will be the one that wins tonight.”

It’s still a toss up for two of Gaffney’s leading rushers this season as Kenard Lipscomb (high ankle sprain) and Rodney Rogers (groin) are still being bothered by the injury bug.

Both are listed as questionable to play tonight, according to Strickland.

“They’re nearing 100 percent but won’t be at that point for the Byrnes game,” Strickland said. “It would definitely be nice if they are able to go in this one.” GAFFNEY (3-1) at BYRNES (4-0)

Kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

at Nixon Field, Duncan

Players to Watch: GAFFNEY: QB DeEdward Burris, WR Joe Craig, DL Jaylen Miller, LB Robert Grandy. BYRNES: QB Chas Dodd, RB Marcus Lattimore, WR Nick Jones, DB Davon Terry.

The Indians will win if ... able to survive Byrnes' initial flurry. The Rebels get on the board ... fast. If Gaffney can survive the initial wave, it can keep the game close due its own explosive offense.

The Rebels will win if ... able to consistently run the ball with running back Marcus Lattimore. If he is able to be productive it allows Byrnes to be balanced, opening up opportunities for quarterback Chas Dodd to burn the Indians through the air.