Published: Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009 / Updated: Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009 01:38 AM

Northwestern 30, Gaffney 23

GAFFNEY -- After starting the season with four straight losses, the improbable is now fact.

The Northwestern Trojans are Region 3-AAAA champs.

Northwestern quickly erased a 16-14 halftime deficit with a touchdown and a field goal in the third quarter, then held on for a 30-23 win Friday at The Reservation. The Trojans, 6-5 overall and 5-0 in region play, will go into the playoffs as a No. 1 seed.

“Incredible. Absolutely incredible,” Northwestern coach Jimmy Wallace said. The coach rarely has trouble putting words together, but after this game he labored.

“To be 0-4 and now region champ speaks volumes for the work ethic of these kids,” he finally mustered.

Gaffney took a 16-14 lead late in the first half on a 32-yard field goal by Josh Harris. The Indians stopped Northwestern on a third-down play when linebacker Chris Adams sliced into the backfield to sack quarterback Justin Worley for an 8-yard loss.

Northwestern sent Worley back to punt. The snap was low and skipped between Worley's legs. Three Gaffney players surrounded the ball and the Indians took over at the Trojans' 32-yard line.

Four plays later, Gaffney (8-3, 4-1) booted the go-ahead field goal.

Northwestern was determined to regain the lead after intermission. A 31-yard pass play from Worley to Stewart Hunt set up the go-ahead touchdown. Worley dove into the end zone two plays later.

Worley threw for 380 yards and two scores. His main target was Robert Joseph, who racked up 22 catches in the game, two of which went for touchdowns.

Joseph knew he caught a lot of balls. He guessed 17.

The junior wide receiver now has 108 catches this season. His goal for the year was to get 1,000 yards receiving. He couldn't imagine 100-plus catches.

“I'm just trying to get this team to State,” Joseph said while getting congratulatory slaps on his shoulder pads. “We had to win this game. We've been counted out all year.”

Gaffney quarterback DeEdward Burris gave Clover fits last week in the Indians' 35-28 win. He ran for 99 yards and passed for 244.

It was more of the same for the crafty QB on Friday against the Trojans. Burris ran for 145 yards and a touchdown. He threw for 217 and two more scores.

Northwestern senior linebacker Brandon Williams was able to get to Burris three times in the first half. The Shrine Bowl selection was given the responsibility of containing Burris.

In the second half, Williams and the Trojans defense forced the potent Gaffney offense into three straight three-and-outs.

“We said at halftime we needed to contain (Burris) more,” Williams said.

Burris led Gaffney to a touchdown with 7:10 left in the game. He hit Mike Wood with a 17-yard TD pass to make it 30-23.

The Indians forced Northwestern to punt with about 2 minutes on the clock. Worley's punt settled at the Indians' 2-yard line.

Burris went to work. He completed passes of 11 and 23 yards to Khris Brown. Burris scrambled for 26 and 13 yards. Gaffney was suddenly at the Trojans' 28-yard line.

Burris threw on the run toward the Northwestern sideline. Senior defensive back Denetri Hemphill saw that the throw was short and picked it off. He raced some 60 yards before being tackled. His interception sealed the win.

“The only thing I was thinking about was to hang onto the ball,” Hemphill said.

Northwestern looked like the 2008 Trojans on offense and defense. Wallace and his staff might have done their best coaching work this season even though a 6-5 record doesn't sound like much.

“We have good coaches,” Hemphill said. “They kept us motivated and we've all worked so hard to get here.”

NORTHWESTERN 30, GAFFNEY 23

Northwestern ..... 7..... 7..... 10..... 6.....--..... 30

Gaffney..... 7..... 9..... 0..... 7.....--..... 23

SCORING SUMMARY

N -- Sanbobis McCleod 1 run (Ryan Foster kick)

G -- DeEdward Burris 17 run (Josh Harris kick)

N -- Robert Joseph 5 pass from Justin Worley (Foster kick)

G -- Quinshad Davis 13 pass from Burris (kick failed)

G -- Harris 32 FG

N -- Worley 1 run (Foster kick)

N -- Foster 39 FG

N -- Joseph 34 pass from Worley (kick failed)

G -- Mike Wood 17 pass from Burris (Harris kick)

TEAM STATISTICS

..... NHS..... GHS

First downs..... 24..... 24

Rushes-yards..... 21-66..... 36-179

Passing..... 380..... 217

Comp-Att-Int..... 36-45-1..... 16-31-1

Fumbles-Lost..... 1-1..... 1-0

Penalties-Yards..... 4-32..... 6-55

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Northwestern: Sanbobis McCleod 15-69, Justin Worley 5-(-2), Robert Joseph 1-(-1). Gaffney: Robert Gandy 5-30, DeEdward Burris 28-145, Rodney Rogers 3-4.

PASSING -- Northwestern: Worley 34-43-1-345. Gaffney: Burris 16-31-1-217.

RECEIVING -- Northwestern: Robert Joseph 22-232, Cody Craven 2-16, Stewart Hunt 4-78, Brandon Lewis 2-21, McCleod 3-24, Demario Wilson 2-6, Tyler Blake 1-3. Gaffney: Quinshad Davis 4-52, Mike Wood 2-29, Khris Brown 5-105, Tim Ellis 2-29, Rogers 3-4.

RECORDS: Northwestern 6-5, 5-0 Region 3-AAAA; Gaffney 8-3, 4-1.