Gaffney quarterback DeEdward Burris is wrapped up by Greenwood lineman Jamison Chalmers during first-half action Friday at Greenwood. Photo by LARRY HILLIARD With a large number of underclassmen playing key positions, Gaffney coach Dan Jones has no doubt the team’s long-term prospects are bright.

The team’s immediate success, however, is less clear if the Indians continue to lose the turnover battle.

Through three games, the Indians are a minus 8 in turnover margin. That’s not playing winning football, Jones said.

“We are just turning the ball over too much,” Jones said. “We are able to move the ball. But it’s the same old story.”

It’s easy to point fingers at an offense, which had three more turnovers in Friday’s loss at Greenwood, but Jones said the defense must begin forcing turnovers. In three games, the defense has forced only one fumble and has yet to have an interception. Jones pointed out that a Gaffney fumble on Friday was the result of an attempt by a Greenwood defender to strip the ball.

“We work on stripping the ball in drills but the main thing is to get people flying to the football,” he said. “We need to fly around, get penetration and hit the running back and quarterback.”

Jones was happy with the way quarterback DeEdward Burris played, calling it his best game. Burris read his progressions and even hit a couple of swing passes.

“He stepped up in the pocket and completed the passes.”

Jones also was pleased with the times Burris decided to tuck the ball and run.

All that may be true, but the Indians only found the end zone one time.

Two of Gaffney’s three turnovers came on drives inside Greenwood territory.

Notes: Free safety Snoop Byers was taken to the hospital on Tuesday after experiencing an abnormal heart rate Monday evening. His availability for Friday's game is up in the air. Defensive lineman Edward Bigby had arthroscopic surgery on his knee last week and is expected to return in a few weeks.