News Summary
In a nail-biting finish, the Gaffney High School Indians overcame a 24-7 deficit to defeat the Spartanburg Vikings 27-24 in their Region 5-AAAAA regular-season finale. Senior receiver Shane Davidson was instrumental, catching three touchdown passes, including two in a decisive fourth quarter. Junior quarterback Jayvon Gilmore contributed significantly with 254 passing yards. The victory improves Gaffney’s record to 8-1, setting the stage for their upcoming SCHSL playoffs after conducting rigorous practice in preparation.
Gaffney, SC — The Gaffney High School Indians secured a thrilling comeback victory against the Spartanburg Vikings with a final score of 27-24 in the Region 5-AAAAA regular-season finale. The game took place on the football field in Gaffney, where the Indians rallied from a 24-7 deficit entering the fourth quarter.
Senior receiver Shane Davidson played a pivotal role in Gaffney’s success by catching three touchdown passes, two of which were crucial in the fourth quarter as Gaffney attempted to regain control of the game. Junior quarterback Jayvon Gilmore led the charge for Gaffney, completing 18 of 31 pass attempts for a total of 254 yards and three touchdown passes.
The game began with a strong start from Spartanburg, as Justin Rice caught a touchdown pass within the first minute. However, Gaffney’s focus and determination paid off as they scored 20 points in the final quarter. The comeback culminated in a game-winning rushing touchdown by running back Jaiden McDowell with just 45 seconds left on the clock.
With this victory, Gaffney improved their record to 8-1, while Spartanburg’s record stands at 7-2. Gaffney’s coach, Dan Jones, expressed pride in the team’s performance throughout the game, describing the thrilling finish as “fulfilling.”
In the lead-up to this match, Gaffney participated in the Upstate Football Showcase on September 22, which featured talent from nine other schools and aimed to provide exposure for high school athletes to more than 30 colleges. Coach Donnie Littlejohn emphasized the critical need for high school players to showcase their skills due to recent changes in college recruitment restrictions. Gaffney conducted practice sessions in preparation for the showcase, utilizing various drills including individual drills, 1-on-1 passing drills, and team drills.
Gaffney will enjoy a week off following their victory against Spartanburg before they commence the SCHSL playoffs. This comes after a successful 10-2 season in 2024, where they reached the 5-A Division 2 state semifinals.
The Indians are set to face off against fellow contender Spartanburg High School in Week six of Friday Night Rivals on September 26. A pre-game show will begin at 7 p.m. on My40, with the kick-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Fans can also catch the live-streaming coverage on various platforms, including News 13’s Facebook page and YouTube.
Looking ahead, Gaffney’s 2025 schedule features key matchups, including a jamboree against the three-time defending state champion Dutch Fork and an opening game against Independence, a prominent team from Charlotte. The upcoming challenges are anticipated to test Gaffney’s skills as they aim for continued success in the season ahead.
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Additional Resources
- WLOS – Friday Night Rivals
- Gaffney Ledger – Indians Hope to Show Out
- Go Upstate – SC High School Football Updates
- Wikipedia: Gaffney, South Carolina
- SI – Gaffney Football Schedule Released
- Google Search: Gaffney High School football
- On3 – South Carolina High School Football Rankings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Education
- Greenville Online – SC High School Football Predictions
- Google News: Gaffney Indians football
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
