Gaffney coach Phil Strickland sees plenty of similarities between the Indians and archrival Spartanburg.

Both teams have played tough schedules. Both teams have been plagued by inconsistency. And most importantly, both teams are badly in need of a win.

The Vikings enter the game with a 2-3 mark after losses to Dorman, Sumter and

Greenwood, while the Indians are 3-2 after a humiliating 60-7 rout by Byrnes this past Friday.

“(Spartanburg) has

been a lot like us,”

Strickland said. “They have struggled from time to time. But other times they have looked very good.”

Spartanburg second-year coach Freddie Brown likes the way his defense has played, but his offense needs to become more productive.

Quarterback Cornelius Jones, who has verbally committed to Michigan, has been up and down this season.

“He’s the lynchpin of all we do,” Brown said.

Strickland insists Jones is target No. 1 for his defense.

“We have to stop him,” the Gaffney coach said.

Jones, who led the team in both rushing and passing last season, has several new receivers to throw to in addition to returning Quan Fuller. He has a familiar face at running back in Markeith Hillstock, who rushed for nearly 400 yards last season, and Mykelle Jones.

Strickland said his defense must be ready for anything from the Viking offense, which will use a variety of formations.

“They definitely like to mix it up,” he said. “They’ll use four wides, three wides and the shotgun and run the Wofford Wing-T.”

On defense, the Vikings are athletic with a nose for the football, according to Strickland.

Linebacker Andre Whitmire is among the leaders in tackles in the area.

Chris Gary and Lamar Young are a couple of defensive ends with speed to rush the passer.

Brown said his Vikings will be competing against a typical Gaffney team - athletic, big and talented.

“It’s just another typical Gaffney team,” he said. “They have size and they are athletic.”

They are also fortunate to have an exceptional talent like DeEdward Burris at quarterback, Brown said.

“He just does a great job,” he said. “He runs very strong. He’s just an athlete.”

Defensively, Brown said the Indians are improving despite playing a lot of young players.

Brown said it’s just a few plays that determines the outcome of a football game and he hopes his Vikings are the team to make them today.

Strickland this week needed to be part coach and motivational speaker to restore his team’s confidence after the team’s poor performance against Byrnes.

Strickland said he stressed the Byrnes’ debacle is in the past.

“That game is over and done with,” he said. “We challenged them after the game and in practice on Monday that people with character bounce back. We’ll see how the kids react in the last tune-up before the region. We need to get back on track.”

GAME AT A GLANCE

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at Gibbs Stadium

Players to Watch: Spartanburg QB

Cornelius Jones, RB Markeith Hillstock, WR Quan Fuller, LB Andre Whitmire.. Gaffney QB

DeEdward Burris, WR Joe Craig,

RB Kenard Lipscomb, DL Jaylen Miller.

What the Vikings must do to win - establish a running game to avoid third-and-long passing situations and contain Gaffney qb DeEdward Burris.

What the Indians must do to win - stop the Viking running game and force the Vikings to the air.

Score touchdowns when they move the ball into the red zone.