Gaffney linebackers Matt Varner (43) and Savon Dukes (5) hustle to the Greenwood ball carrier. It’s hard to find fault with a defense that gave up just 10 points and is shorthanded because of injuries, but Gaffney co-defensive coordinators Kevin Phillips and Ben Fuller will be the first to admit that their unit could have been more effective against Greenwood’s run-based option offense.

The Eagles racked up 227 yards on the ground and - more importantly - controlled the clock, especially in the second half.

“We just had to get off the field,” Phillips said. “But at critical times, we couldn’t get off the field.”

Most of the Eagles rushing yards came on the dive play. Phillips said stopping the drive was emphasized in practice, but the linemen didn’t stay low enough coming off their blocks.

“The dive hurt us the most,” Phillips said.

The defense also had to prepare for quarterback D.J. Dunlap, who broke off a couple of outside runs.

The coordinators praised the play of linebackers Savon Dukes and Jaquan Barnes along with Snoop Byers, who was moved from cornerback to free safety for the game.

Mammoth Tim Davis also played well, including making the key tackle on the Eagles’ failed fourthand inches late in the game.