Gaffney among four Palmetto State squads listed in this week's edition of the RivalsHigh 100 poll

Photo by JOE L. HUGHES II

Gaffney's Quinshad Davis was not able to haul this pass in during the team's season opening victory over Boiling Springs, but the Indians have not missed out on much thus far in 2011, outscoring opponents to the tune of 82-14.

Impressive wins over Boiling Springs and Dorman undoubtedly earned the attention of pundits throughout the Palmetto State.
Little did the team know it also had observers nationwide admiring their body of work thus far in 2011. The Indians debuted at No. 45 in the RivalsHigh 100 poll Monday, used by Rivals to rank the top 100 football programs nationwide.
“Gaffney has been a pleasant surprise,” said RivalsHigh senior analyst Dallas Jackson. “ The defense is very stout and fast, and very physical. But their improvement fundamentally has definitely made them that much tougher to beat.”
Playing before a national audience, Gaffney trounced a good Cavaliers squad 35-14, much of it by the arm and legs of senior quarterback Joey Copeland, who had four touchdowns in the rout. Through two weeks, the Copeland-led offense has outscored opponents 82-14, with the man under center accounting for 10 touchdowns.
However, with Greenwood coming to The Reservation on Friday and a trip to Byrnes lurking over the horizon, Jackson said the Indians will have ample opportunity to prove they are worthy of their lofty status.
“They have been particularly impressive; but with Greenwood and Byrnes on the schedule, the ranking could quickly be increased or evaporated,” he said.
Defending Class 4A “Big 16” titlist Byrnes is the highest ranked team in South Carolina according to the RivalsHigh 100 poll, coming in at No. 18. Lexington is a spot in front of Gaffney, ranked at No. 44.
“I saw Byrnes over the summer, and though they do not have the national cache as they have in recent years, they have plenty of good, unsung players,” Jackson said. “As for Lexington, I have received much grief for that choice, particularly due to the success of Upper State teams in head to head match-ups with their peers in the Lower State. But Lexington has some explosive pieces on offense, and though defense is their biggest concern the Wildcats seem primed to make the next step.”
Not to be forgotten following a 51-7 beating of Irmo, Goose Creek was tabbed at No. 66 in this week’s poll. On the outside looking in is Greenwood, looking to return to the RivalsHigh 100 after being bounced before even taking the field week 1 though earning a preseason national ranking.
“We’ve taken a different philosophy when it comes to scouting teams now; summer practices and scrimmages mean a lot,” Jackson said. “If in pads and your offensive line can’t block during scrimmages, your offensive line just can’t block. Making changes based on what we saw actually prompted us to make some changes from our initial poll.