If it’s possible, today’s contest between rivals Union County and Gaffney has taken on even more significance.

That’s because both teams are in need of a victory.

Gaffney (1-2) is coming off back-to-back losses to Dorman and Greenwood. The Yellow Jackets have opened the season 0-2 after losses to Spartanburg and Broome.

“We’re 1-2 and the expectations from the players and the fans are higher than that,” Gaffney coach Dan Jones said. “We are young, so we have to get a win.”

Jones traces the two losses to turnovers. For the season, the Indians are a minus 8 in turnover margin.

“We have to quit turning the ball over,” Jones said.

But that is not the coaches’ only concern. He said the running game must become more productive and the defense must begin making key stops to change the momentum in the game.

Jones is very impressed with Union County’s athleticism.

“They have a big, strong quarterback with some big targets,” the Gaffney coach said.

The Yellow Jackets run a spread attack, which is similar to the Indians. Sophomore Keiston Smith is at quarterback for the Yellow Jackets. He was 12 for 23 for 78 yards and three interceptions against Broome.

Jones also sees a similarity in the defenses.

“It is like a mirror image. They run a 4- 2-5.”

The Yellow Jackets led 13-3 at halftime over the Centurions, but were outscored 14-0 in the fourth quarter in the 20-13 loss. Both fourth-quarter scores by Broome were a result of Union County turnovers.

Jones and the Indians have had their own turnover woes. The Indians turned the ball over on three of their first eight plays against defending state champion Dorman before committing three more fumbles in a loss to Greenwood this past Friday.

Jones is clear he’s more focused on correcting the Indians’ mistakes rather than on Union County.

“The main thing is not what Union County does but what we do,” Jones said. “We have to take care of our own things and that’s hanging on to the football and knocking the ball loose (to force turnovers.)”

Gaffney quarterback DeEdward Burris, who left the Greenwood game with a hip injury but practiced all week, is coming off his best game this season, completing 23 of his 34 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown.

Jones said Burris made good reads and decisions, especially when to run the ball when the protection broke down.

“There are times when we want De to run the ball,” Jones said.

As for injuries, defensive linemen Rod Oglesby and Edward Bigby are out. Oglesby has yet to play this season because of a knee injury. Bigby had his knee scoped last week and is expected to return within a couple of weeks. Free safety Snoop Byers, who returned two weeks ago after suffering a thigh injury, is back on the shelf with an abnormal heart rate. It’s unknown when he will return.

GAME AT A

GLANCE

GAFFNEY (1-2) vs. UNION COUNTY (0-2)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at

UNION COUNTY STADIUM

Players to Watch: QB Keisten Smith, DE Desmond Floyd, RB Michael Johnson. Gaffney QB DeEdward Burris, DL Jaylen Miller, WR Quinshad Davis, RB C.J. Miller.

What the Yellow Jackets must do to win - eliminate the mistakes that have plagued the team in its first two losses and contain Gaffney quarterback DeEdward Burris.

What the Indians must do to win - stop the Yellow Jackets' running game; eliminate costly turnovers. Score touchdowns when they move the ball into the red zone.