GAFFNEY — Two turnovers the first four times Gaffney handled the ball foreshadowed a futile offensive evening as the Indians lost 34-19 to York Friday in a lackluster performance.

The Cougars outscored the hosts 21-6 in the second half behind three touchdown passes by Spencer Carroll, the last two going to Markel Castle.

Castle’s second scoring catch came with 11:07 remaining in the game to seal the victory as Gaffney’s offense continued to struggle. The touchdown was set up on a 63-yard interception return by York linebacker Shamal Sanders who picked off quarterback Luke Lancaster on a second-and-7 from York’s 18-yard-line.

Gaffney then posted one of its many three-and-outs with three consecutive incomplete passes before York took over on its own 37 and drove to Gaffney’s 5. Linebacker Reco Smith gave his team a puncher’s chance with an interception in the end zone.

However, Gaffney had two more incomplete passes and then was sacked to give the ball back with zero result.

The Indians fumbled away the opening kickoff on their own 35, but Carroll was picked off by Cobby McDowell two plays later. After two runs gained five yards, Lancaster was intercepted by Lee Wright, who easily trotted 20 yards unscathed into the end zone for a 6-0 lead just 1:36 into the game after the PAT was missed.

Gaffney tailback Jo Jo McGill made a fantastic run after a short reception in going 56 yards on third-and-14 before being knocked out-of-bounds at York’s 4. The Indians had a false start penalty and lost yards on two of three runs, the last a negative-1 on a reverse by McGill. Victor Ramirez kicked a 27-yard field goal to make it 6-3.

Another long Gaffney pass play on a 46-yard reception by Shaquille Davidson set up the Indians on York’s 6-yard-line, but once again they went backward, losing 11 yards on a run and pass before Ramirez converted a 29-yard field goal to tie it at 6-6.

The teams traded touchdowns over the final 2:50 of the opening half. Gaffney’s Joseph Leach recovered Carroll’s fumble caused by Jaylen Miller on York’s 22, which led to Hyleck Foster’s 20-yard touchdown run up the middle.

York got a short field when Foster was penalized for celebrating and Ryan Moore rambled 46 yards from his own 41. On third-and-7, Carroll tossed the first of his four touchdown passes on a 10-yarder to Josh McCoy in the right corner to tie it at 13-13 heading to the break.

Gaffney’s Eddie Studyvance caught a 27-yard touchdown for a 19-13 lead with 7:39 left in the third before York took the lead for good on Lamin Yansanah’s 29-yard scoring pass from Carroll.

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