Gaffney Wins 10 Football Games As Veteran Coach Dan Jones Retires
Gaffney's Jamarcus Smith, a Shrine Bowler, their leading receiver with 984 yards on 65 catches and 8 touchdowns.
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Gaffney—The High School Sports Report offers a special salute to Gaffney High head football coach Dan Jones who is retiring after the Indians had an outstanding 10-2 season in 2024.
Coach Jones is a former defensive end at his alma mater and he has coached more than 30 seasons total.
The 2024 Gaffney team closed out their season with a hard-fought 56-42 loss against eventual Div. II state champion Northwestern in late November.
Against the Trojans junior quarterback Jayvon Gilmore (6-4, 200) completed 30-of-49 passes for 424 yards and one touchdown. Gilmore is committed to Arkansas. Gilmore finished the season completing 177-of-292 passes for 2,531 yards and 25 touchdowns.
The top receivers for the Indians were Jamarcus Smith, a Shrine Bowler, who led the team in receptions with 984 yards on 65 catches and 8 touchdowns. Shane Davidson added 25 catches for 479 yards and 10 touchdowns. Chas Smith (16-221), Eli Falls (18-204) and Brady Smith (13-195) were the other top receivers this season.
Junior running back Jaiden McDowell was hampered by injuries all season and only played in six games. The prospect netted out 302 yards on 70 carries with five touchdowns.
Place kicker Evan Olson made 31-of-36 PAT’s including three field goals during the season.
Among the top defensive players was senior LB Andrew Ruppe who was chosen to the North-South all-star game in December. Other top tacklers were junior linebacker Zyon Ratchford, senior LB Irmani Foster-Boyd, and LB Kendarius Bailey and LB Daquan Croker.
Two offensive linemen had very good seasons for the Indians. Sheldrick Sarratt (6-5, 310) made the Shrine Bowl and he has signed with South Carolina. Junior OL Scotland Dover (6-4,290) has committed to Appalachian State as well.
