Entering the game as heavy underdogs, the Gaffney Indian football team hopes to avenge a homecoming loss to Northwestern as it travels to take on the Trojans in the opening round of the AAAAA State Playoffs on Friday. The Indians suffered a 46-2 shellacking from the Trojans on September 23 at the Reservation. However, Friday’s game will be played under much different circumstances. Gaffney enters the game on Friday having lost four out of its last six games. The Indians were a perfect 4-0 when they met Northwestern earlier this season. The Tribe was also minus starting quarterback Tyshun Sarratt who missed the entire second half of the game with a concussion. The well oiled machine, known as the Northwestern Trojans, enter the game riding a nine game winning streak after dropping the first game of the season to South Pointe.

Beating Northwestern at District 3 Stadium has been a tall task for the Indians in years past as Gaffney has not won a game against the Trojans in Rock Hill since 1991. The world was much different in 1991; a gallon of gas was just $1.12, the DOW Jones topped 3,000 for the first time, both Mike Tyson and Jeffery Dahmer were arrested, and 911 emergency number was tested in northwestern cities. The 1991 season was somewhat similar to this season. Gaffney lost to Northwestern at home 21-14 then went on the road to meet the Trojans again in the playoffs. The Tribe would win that decision by a final score of 14-6.

A Gaffney win would hand the Indians their first playoff victory since the 2012 State Championship. The Indians have made first round exits the past three seasons. Regardless of the outcome, the Tribe will finish this season with a winning record for the first time since 2013. Kickoff from District 3 Stadium in Rock Hill is set for 7:30 tonight.