If facing the surging 5-2 Gaffney Indians wasn’t enough, Nation Ford coach Rusty Jester has struggled just to put enough players on the field for practice this week.

Jester said as many as 14 starters have been battling flu-like systems this week. Nation Ford officials had contemplated postponing the game but decided

Thursday the game would be played as scheduled.

“We got five starters back today, but three starters definitely won’t be back,” Jester said.

The (3-4) Falcons were decided underdogs even before this week’s developments.

“They will be a tough opponent and a big challenge for us,” Jester said. “Gaffney has a bunch of athletes.”

And some momentum. The Indians are coming off their most complete game of the season in a 55-7 win over York in their region opener this past Friday.

“We played a lot better obviously against a lesser opponent,” Gaffney coach Phil Strickland said.

Especially in the passing game that gained nearly 300 yards. Quarterback DeEdward Burris was sharp, completing 10 of his 18 throws for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Tim Ellis, Mike Wood and Joe Craig, who received the player of the week award, each totaled more than 70 receiving yards. Wideout Khris Brown also made a contribution with a 63-yard touchdown reception.

“The passing game was more focused downfield,” Strickland said.

Jester said his defense must stop Burris, who passed for 115 yards and rushed for 64 in the Indians’ 44-6 victory over Nation Ford last season.

“He definitely presents some problems,” Jester said.

Nation Ford has been susceptible to the big play. But it’ll be linebacker Patrick Shropshire and Logan Daughtry’s mission to prevent that from happening today.

Both teams operate out of the spread, but the Falcons will run some Wing-T - an offense similar to York’s.

Thomas Condron is the Falcons’ fiery quarterback. One thing that can be said about the Falcons’ offense is that it’s balanced. Nation Ford is averaging about 150 yards both in the air and on the ground.

Will Ford and Nick Damon are a pair of dangerous wideouts when the Falcons go to the air, while Jackson Gibson and T.J. McCollough are the Falcons’ leading rushers.

Strickland said the Falcons can move the ball.

“They do a good job with the Wing-T,” he said. “And No. 21 (Gibson) is extremely talented.”

Unlike the Indians, the Falcons are entering today’s game off perhaps their worst performance of the year in a lopsided loss to 2-5 Northwestern.

Nation Ford’s biggest problem was its failure to pressure Trojan quarterback Justin Worley.

Strickland said the Indians can’t be overconfident against the Falcons.

“We just want to keep on getting better,” the Gaffney coach said. “It’s a region game and we can’t overlook a region game if we want to realize our goal of winning the region. It’s a very important game for us.”

GAME AT A GLANCE

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at Nation Ford High

School

Players to Watch: Nation Ford LB Patrick Shropshire, FS Jordan Callahan, FS Casey Snipes, QB Thomas Condron. Gaffney QB DeEdward Burris, WR Joe Craig, RB Kenard Lipscomb, DL Jaylen Miller.

What the Falcons 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 Falcons running game and force their quarterback to the air. Score touchdowns when they move the ball into the red zone.