Photo by LARRY HILLIARD Gaffney running back Rodney Rogers took a pitch from quarterback DeEdward Burris and scored on an option play against Nation Ford on Friday. It’s as if the Gaffney Indians have opened a 1995 circa time capsule.

The option offense, run so successfully by the Indians in the 1990s, has been added to the Indians’ offense playbook.

The Indians used the play successfully against Nation Ford, including a 26-yard touchdown run by Rodney Rogers who took the pitch from quarterback DeEdward Burris.

Gaffney coach Phil Strickland said the coaches installed the option play to exploit a defensive ploy by the Falcons.

“They were stunting the outside linebacker away from the back. We felt like (running the option) would put them in a bind. And it worked when we did it.”

Strickland said there are other advantages to running the option.

“It gives the defenses we face something more to practice,” he said.

The option also utilitzes Burris’ unique running skills.

“He’s a running type quarterback and he does a good job of picking out the hole,” he said. “Just to give him the pitch option gives offenses more to think about.”

Strickland said it’s not unusual for the Indians to add to their playbook this late in the season.

“Every week we game plan to exploit what the other team is doing,” he said. “We’ve done it every year since I’ve been here. If everybody sits on what you are doing, you have to change things up.”

With three games remaining in the regular season, Strickland said the Indians are improving but they still aren’t a finished product.

“We are getting better, but I’m not satisfied,” he said.

Strickland said the offensive line is still struggling to pick up some blitzes.

“We are still making some routine-type mistakes,” he said. “We are missing picking up stunts. But that is something that can be corrected.”

The Indians face Fort Mill on Friday before showdowns with Clover and Northwestern to close out the region schedule.

According to a mock playoff format, the Indians would be seeded sixth and would play Blythewood in the first round of the Division I playoffs. But Strickland said it’s too early to be concerned about the playoff seedings.