Gaffney running back Rodney Rogers and the Indians host Stratford today at 7:30 p.m. in a first-round playoff game. Photo byLARRY HILLIARD There are two distinct defensive philosophies to stop Gaffney quarterback DeEdward Burris. and both styles will be used when Stratford (7-4) travels to The Reservation for a first round Class 4A Division I playoff game today.

There’s the blitz approach, meaning the Gaffney offensive line must be alert to the change in blocking schemes. There’s also the rush three or four and drop everybody else in hopes of frustrating Gaffney’s junior quarterback.

Longtime successful Stratford coach Ray Stackley said the Knights must mix it up to try to contain Burris.

“We’ll mix it up,” he said. “The game plan will be to zone blitz a little, but he’ll get his yards.”

Burris got his yards last week but the Indians (8-3) fell short of a region championship with a loss to Northwestern.

It’s been an up-anddown year for the Knights, as well. While the Indians can trace their inconsistency to youth, Stratford has been hit hard by injury. As many as six starters, including two offensive linemen, have been lost for the season with injuries.

The team’s best rusher, sophomore Devin Washington, has gained 975 yards but has missed the past two games with an ankle injury and is not at 100 percent for the game.

Since Washington’s injury, the Knights, who are averaging 26 points a game, have gone to the air more behind quarterback Chris Hanna, who has thrown for more than 1,700 yards. Hanna likes to throw to Francis Lloyd, who was named to the North-South All-Star game. But Lloyd is more of a possession receiver rather than a deep threat.

Gaffney coach Phil Strickland said keeping Lloyd in check is a key to the game. That might mean trouble for the Indians, who struggled against Northwestern’s air attack. Justin Worley passed for 375 yards and Robert Joseph caught a state record 22 passes in the Trojans’ win this past Friday.

Whereas the Indian defense has been vulnerable to the pass, the Knights could have problems stopping the

Stratford at Gaffney 7:30 p.m. at Reservation

 Key Players: Gaffney QB DeEdward Burris, WR Quinshad Davis, RB Rodney Rogers, DE Jaylen Miller. Stratford QB Chris Hanna, FS Brant Salley, LB Ian Thompson, WR Francis Lloyd.

 Reserved parking and seating will still be recognized for the game. Reserved seat holdes must purchase a ticket and bring their stub. Tickets are $6 and wil be sold from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. today at the high school

Stackley described the Knights’ defense, which is giving up 18 points a game, as “scrappy.”

The unit is led by North-South All-Star selection Ian Thompson, a smallish linebacker who runs well to the ball.

Burris and the Indians want to avoid throwing in free safety Brant Salley’s direction. The Shrine Bowler has seven picks. But he hasn’t had an interception lately because teams have avoided throwing down the middle.

Stackley said his team’s focus early will likely dictate the outcome of the game.

“We have to get off the bus ready to play,” he said. “We can’t let them get up on us early.”

Strickland said the team must forget about last Friday’s defeat and come out with great intensity.

“We have to compete for 48 minutes and play with intensity,” the Gaffney coach said.

The teams’ last meeting was in 2006 when the Indians edged the Knights to earn a trip to the state championship game. The overall series

is tied at 4-4.