Gaffney vs. Green Wave one to watch

It just might be the biggest night of high school football that Lowcountry fans have seen in quite some time.

Clash of the titans, potential backyard brawls, revenge factors and SCISA state championships. Tonight's menu has it all.

First up on the grid smorgasbord is a Division I-AAAA showdown between the state's most storied programs: Gaffney vs. Summerville. The Indians, owners of a state record 15 state championships, travel to McKissick Field for the third straight year to play the Green Wave, owners of 12 state titles. The showdown is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The lineup in Division II-AAAA could produce a Berkeley County bonanza next week if No. 1-seeded Berkeley manages to defeat No. 8 seed Greenwood at Bonner Stadium, and No. 4 seed Goose Creek can survive No. 5 seed North Augusta in a game that will be contested at Fulmer Field. If that scenario becomes reality, Goose Creek will travel to Berkeley next weekend with a berth in the state championship on the line. But Berkeley coach Jerry Brown and Goose Creek coach Chuck Reedy are too experienced to let their teams lose focus of what is on the agenda tonight.

In Class AA, Timberland travels to Dillon with revenge and a berth in the Lower State championship at stake. The Wolves have been nearly flawless the past two seasons, posting a 24-1 record. The only loss, a 28-27 double-overtime decision in the third round last year, dealt the Wolves' state championship dreams a fatal blow. Dillon has won the last three playoff games against Timberland, including two decisions in the third round.

North Charleston travels to Myrtle Beach in Class AAA and James Island travels to South Pointe in Division II-AAAA.

Northwood Academy goes after its second SCISA Class AA title against Hilton Head Christian tonight, while Palmetto Christian goes after its first Class A title against Dillon Christian.

Summerville will have revenge as a motivating factor when the Indians invade Flowertown. The schools have played some memorable games, but John McKissick's crew would like to forget last year's 40-10 loss in the first round of the playoffs. Summerville won the 2007 playoff game by a 23-22 margin over the Indians.

Perhaps the most memorable game between the two schools was the Big 16 state championship in 2005. Summerville let a 26-7 halftime lead slip away against Gaffney. The Green Wave lost a heartbreaker, 33-32, when Gaffney running back Quinton Hemphill caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Malcolm Long with 21 seconds left in the game to cap a 90-yard drive and a 20-point fourth-quarter.

McKissick enters tonight's game with 576 career victories and 10 state championships.

Three of the state titles came against Gaffney. Summerville beat Gaffney in the 1998, 1986 and 1983 titles games.