Top Ranked Gaffney Focused On Bringing The School A “19th” State Championship
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Gaffney—After two impressive Gaffney wins, to start the 2026 season, over Spartanburg (24-20) and J.L. Mann (43-10) it just felt right to rank the realigned Class AAAA Indians number one until further notice.
This week the Indians are hosting Lancaster (2-0) team who have wins over Chester (49-21) and York to start the season (30-23).
“Lancaster is on a roll having defeated two quality teams,” said head Gaffney coach Donnie Littlejohn, starting his second season as the head coach at his alma mater. “We are anticipating a very competitive game with them. “
Coach Littlejohn is a native of Gaffney and former outstanding player for the Indians. “We know what the expectations are from our very supportive community and it is our goal to win the class room first and foremost, win in the weight room, and then go win on the football field,” said Coach Littlejohn. “It is our strong goal to keep working hard and getting our 19th state championship trophy on display at Gaffney High School is our focus this season. We just need to stay healthy and keep believing.”
Coming into the season Gaffney was looking for a new QB due to graduation losses. Coach Littlejohn has been very pleased with sophomore Corey Taylor (6-0,170) who transferred from Goose Creek to Gaffney two years ago. “He is doing a great job managing the game and while he is more of a drop back passer, he does run a 4.7, and he can use his feet when he needs to,” said Coach Littlejohn. “We have playmakers around him so we are not asking him to feel like he has to win a game by himself. We just need for him to not put us in negative plays and to not do something that will cause us to lose a game.”
The transfer of former Irmo RB Amire White (5-11, 200) filled a need in the back field for the Indians. After two games White has rushed for 212 yards on 32 carries with two TD’s.
Coach Littlejohn is the chairman of the Kendarius “Peanut” Bailiey (6-0,215) appreciation club. “I am getting ready to nominate him for the AAAA Defensive Player of the Week for his play against JL Mann last week,” said Coach Littlejohn. “He makes plays on either side of the football. When he makes up his mind to shut you down, on either side of the ball, he is going to blow up plays. I still say he is the best football player in the state of South Carolina.”
Bailey is a running back on offense and a LB on defense. Against J.L. Mann, Bailey had four solo tackles, two assists, 1 pile on –got to the ball on every play, 1.5 sacks, q pass break-up, 1 QB KO, 1 Big hit, 4 QB pressures, 0.5 Big play for a total of 29 defensive points.
Gaffney’s top WR’s after two games are junior with TE Hank Davidson with four catches for 89 yards and two TD’s. Senior HB-TE Trason Smith has three catches for27 yards and junior RB Dylan McKey has 9 catches for 40 yards.
The Gaffney OL is anchored by senior LT CJ Brooks (6-5, 320) who is committed to UAB. The RT is senior Landon Bailey, and the RG is junior Raashad Fitzpatrick. The LG is junior Derrius Littlejohn (6-0,250) who has been a three-year starter. The center is senior and three- year starter Tre Dawkins. Sophomore Tripp Peltry also sees a lot of action in the OL.
The defensive line is a three- man front. Senior Marquell Smalls (6-5, 260) is one DT, Jeronte Kimbrough is a nose guard, while Sidney Lattimore (6-0,215) is a DE. Soph Kiante Morgan is a key reserve on the DL.
The linebackers are AJ Logan, TY McGill, Peanut Bailey, and senior Karein Good. The secondary is led by highly touted junior Zion Dawkins (5-11, 175) who currently holds offers from Virginia Tech, Duke, and Syracuse among others. Money Monroe, Kareem Shaw, and Ayden Montgomery round out the back end.
Gerado (Gu Gu) Segura is the teams place kicker while Shaw is the punter.
Coach Littlejohn also wanted to give a shout-out to two number varsity assistant coaches. They are RB coach Jason Winstead, formerly head coach at Goose Creek High along with new specialty team coach Brandon Thoms.
Gaffney also has one of the best football stats perrons in the state in veteran Kinnett Phillips.
