The York Cougars aren’t your typical 1- 5 football team. Most teams would be reeling with that record, but the Cougars are actually a confident bunch as they head into today’s region opener at the Reservation.

The reason? The Cougars gave nationally ranked Rock Hill a tough tussle last week before falling 30-21 at home. In fact,

the Cougars and the Bearcats were deadlocked at halftime.

“We played well againt Rock Hill and we have to feel good

about the way we

played last week,” York coach John Barrett said. “Everybody is in the same boat now (with the start of the region). We like our chances as good as anybody’s. It’s a chance to redeem ourselves.”

The Indians (4-2) got a little redemption for its lopsided loss to Byrnes with a hard-fought 14-7 win over Spartanburg this past Friday. But Gaffney coach Phil Strickland isn’t ready to declare his team a championship contender.

“We are still making too many mistakes,” he said.

And the mistakes aren’t just coming from the many freshmen and sophomores who are playing.

“We have seniors who are making too many mistakes, too,” the Gaffney coach said.

Those mistakes must be corrected if the Indians want to beat an improving Cougar team that likes to establish the run and control the clock to keep a suspect defense off the field.

The Cougars topped the 200-yard mark against a normally stingy Rock Hill defense on Friday.

Talented Quaston Walker is York’s leading rusher with nearly 600 yards. Matthew Haynie and Corey Dover will both see time under center.

The Cougars don’t have a problem moving the ball between the 20s, but they’ve had trouble putting points on the board, according to Barrett.

Although the Cougars think run first, Strickland said the Indians can’t fall prey to play-action passes.

Defensively, the Cougars have been vulnerable to the big play. But Dover is the team’s big-play defender with six interceptions.

Barrett is impressed with the Gaffney Indians, especially quarterback DeEdward Burris who made an immediate impression in last year’s game.

“I asked somebody who (Burris) was in the warmup and they said you’ll find out about him during the game. He’s just a very explosive player.”

Speaking of explosive, so is wideout Joe Craig, Barrett said.

Making the Indians earn their yards and stopping the big play will be the key to the game, according to the York head coach.

Strickland, on the other hand, said his offense must control the game to allow his defense to take some breaks - which have been far and few between the past two weeks.

“We have to be more consistent on offense to keep our defense off the field,” the Gaffney coach said.

Sophomore wideout Quinshad Davis, who is among the team leaders in receptions, is nursing a pulled groin and is questionable for the game.

Fortunately, the Indians have plenty of depth at the wide receiver position.

GAME AT A GLANCE

GAFFNEY (4-2) vs. YORK (1-5)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at The Reservation

Players to Watch: York RB Quaston Walker, QB Matthew Haynie, S Corey Dover, OLB Kent Thompson. Gaffney QB DeEdward

Burris, WR Joe Craig,

RB Kenard Lipscomb, DL Jaylen Miller.

What the Cougars 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 Cougar running game and force their two quarterbacks to the air.

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