Woolbright returns home as a winner

Gaffney offensive coordinator Perry Woolbright had a successful return to his alma mater on Friday. It wasn’t just another game for Gaffney co-offensive coordinator Perry Woolbright.

Woolbright grew up in Clover and played quarterback for the Blue Eagles but he made no secret where his allegiance stood when the Indians traveled to Clover for a key region game Friday.

“A man from Gaffney came up to me and said I was in a bad position because if Clover won the Gaffney fans would be unhappy and if Gaffney won the Clover fans would be upset. But I told him I’d much rather that Clover fans be upset and we get a win,” Woolbright said.

The Indians did just that - thanks in large measure to Woolbright’s play calling that took advantage of a suspect Blue Eagle secondary.

“We saw that Northwestern passed on them and they don’t get a chance very much to see passing in practice, so we had an advantage throwing the ball,” he said.

Gaffney quarterback DeEdward Burris had a season high 27 pass attempts, including 15 in the first half.

The Indians were especially successful throwing down the middle of the field.

Woolbright said the middle was wide open because Clover linebacker Trey Latta was shadowing Burris.

“He didn’t help out in the pass and left the middle wide open,” Woolbright said.

The Indians played without starting wideout Joe Craig but Woolbright said Tim Ellis was a capable replacement.

Ellis had three catches for 32 yards. Woolbright said Friday’s game was important because it showed the Indians can move the ball through the air if teams crowd the line to stop the running game. .