Gaffney quarterback DeEdward Burris is tripped up by a host of Northwestern tacklers during first-half action Friday. Burris accounted for nearly 350 total yards, but the Trojans claimed the region crown with a 30-23 victory. Photo by LARRY HILLIARD All eyes were on Gaffney quarterback DeEdward Burris, but it was the hands of Robert Joseph that stole the show as the Northwestern Trojans captured their second straight Region III-4A championship with a 30-23 victory at The Reservation Friday.

Although Burris didn’t disappoint with 204 passing yards and 144 more on the ground, Joseph set a new state record with 22 receptions for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Joseph’s receptions were two better than the nine-year mark set by Lamar’s Derrick Higgins.

Northwestern quarterback Justin Worley’s 36 completions were one short of a state record.

All in all, it was a horrible night for the Gaffney defense, which allowed Northwestern receivers plenty of room and failed to generate a consistent pass rush.

“We gave (Worley) too much time to throw. (Northwestern) has a good quarterback and (Joseph) is a quality receiver,” said Gaffney coach Phil Strickland in the understatement of the day. “I thought we needed to score in the neighborhood of 30 points to win and we didn’t get there.”

Despite the loss which dropped them to a No. 7 seed, the Indians (8-3, 4-1) appear to have a favorable path to the lower bracket championship game. Gaffney will host tenth-seeded Stratford (7-4) on Friday. A win Friday would set up a rematch with Summerville in the second round. A season ago, the Indians routed the Greenwave in a first-round playoff game.

Strickland was already thinking about the playoffs moments after Friday’s loss.

“We just have to put this behind us. You just throw the records out in the playoffs,” he said.

That was the mantra of Gaffney Shrine Bowl offensive tackle James Costello as well. “Everybody is 0-0 now,” Costello said. “Gaffney shows up for the playoffs.”

Although Strickland wouldn’t say it, if the Indians intend to go far in the playoffs, they must shore up a defense that has struggled mightily against the better teams on the schedule and re-invirogate an offense that managed just one second half touchdown on Friday.

Trailing 16-14 at halftime, the Trojans seized the momentum on their second drive of the third quarter. After Worley found Stewart Hunt for a 31- yard gain, Worley scored on a 1-yard keeper to put the Trojans on top, 21-16.

Ryan Foster tacked on a 39- yard field goal to increase the Trojans’ lead to 24-16 with 4:05 left in the third quarter.

Joseph then scored the second of his two touchdowns on a 34-yard reception that put the Trojans on top 30-16.

After three straight three and outs, the Indians’ offense got clicking with Burris finding wide outs Khris Brown and Quinshad Davis for first downs to keep the drive going. On a second-and-8 from the 17, Burris hooked up with Mike Wood for a touchdown to bring the Indians within 30-23 after the extra point with 7:10 left to play.

On their next series, the Trojans picked up one first down but were forced to punt, giving the Indians the ball at their own 39 with 4:54 on the clock.

The Indians moved to midfield but Burris was stopped short of first down on a fourthand 12. The Trojans took over at their own 42 but had to punt when Worley was sacked on third down.

But the Indians were pinned deep after Worley’s punt rolled dead at the 2 with 2:20 left. A poised Burris hit Brown for gains of 11 and 23 yards. Burris picked up 26 and 13 yards on scrambles to move the ball to the Trojan 26.

On the next play, however, Burris rolled out and his pass was picked off by Denetri Hemphill, who returned it 60 yards to ice the Trojans’ victory.