I think last night's game should have been 21-7 Gaffney. Freedom's long TD pass getting called back because two guys were mixing it up in the backfield was the sort of call that makes your face twitch for days afterwards. Legitimately the game could have been as close as 21-14 if Freedom comes down with a TD pass that was dropped on the goal line in the first half (it's possible a defender got a hand in). There was one TD Gaffney scored where Freedom had multiple shots at a tackle and couldn't bring the kid down, which was another face twitcher.
But Gaffney made mistakes as well and it could have been as bad as 45-0 if they executed well. There were a couple of turnovers inside Patriot territory that could have led to more points for the Indians, so consider that as well. Ultimately the young Patriot team showed me something by not being overwhelmed by an athletic team in an intimidating environment (lots of small colleges don't have a stadium as nice as "the reservation"). I'm hopeful going forward after last night.
But Gaffney made mistakes as well and it could have been as bad as 45-0 if they executed well. There were a couple of turnovers inside Patriot territory that could have led to more points for the Indians, so consider that as well. Ultimately the young Patriot team showed me something by not being overwhelmed by an athletic team in an intimidating environment (lots of small colleges don't have a stadium as nice as "the reservation"). I'm hopeful going forward after last night.