Gaffney’s versatility a plus for Trojans

<p>The most difficult position Brian Gaffney plays for Center Grove is the one drawing the least amount of attention.</p><p>Gaffney is in his third year as the starting long snapper for punts, field goals and point-after kicks. He’s also grown into a starting defensive tackle role — and recently, he’s also found a spot in the offensive backfield as a blocker or runner in short-yardage situations.</p><p>Every Friday night is a little offense, some special teams and a lot of defense.</p><p>“Long snapping is definitely not easy, and it’s by far the most nerve-wracking thing I do,” said Gaffney, a solid 5-foot-10, 220-pound senior who’ll lead the seventh-ranked Trojans into tonight’s Class 6A sectional opener at home against No. 6 Columbus North.</p><p>“If I had a bad snap it could completely sway the momentum of the game. I grew up playing running back and linebacker, so they’re easier for me.”</p><p>Gaffney’s baseball background — he’s a right-handed pitcher for the Trojans — immediately made him a candidate to handle long snapping shores. Center Grove coach Eric Moore said pitchers often make good long snappers because of the strength they usually have in their wrists.</p><p>The coach said Gaffney could play just about anywhere, though. He’s good at throwing, catching and even punting the football.</p><p>“If he was 6-4 he could go to any college in America,” Moore said. “Brian is just a great athlete and a great football player. He’s so tenacious and has such a good work ethic in the weight room, which allows him to play in the trenches. He’s a good technique tackler.”</p><p>The game in which Gaffney best showed his versatility was Center Grove’s 38-17 victory at Lawrence North on Oct, 5. He scored on a 5-yard touchdown run, sacked the Wildcats’ quarterback three times and finished with nine tackles.</p><p>He leads the team in sacks overall with five and tackles for loss with 9.5.</p><p>The touchdown was Gaffney’s second of the season. He also found paydirt carrying the pigskin from 2 yards out in a Week 5 home loss to North Central.</p><p>Gaffney estimates he is in for an average of 10 to 15 offensive plays per game.</p><p>“I’m not completely new to running the football,” Gaffney said. “Being a defensive player, I know how players are going to try to tackle me.”</p><p>And, of course, he long snaps.</p><p>Senior punter P.J. Buck, also a three-year starter, recognizes how difficult long snapping is, particularly if the player is fatigued from playing other positions.</p><p>Virtually every time, Gaffney still finds his mark.</p><p>&quot;He sailed just one, and that was last year,&quot; Buck said. &quot;Other than that, everything has gone well. He gets the ball back to me with the right speed. And there have been occasions when I punt the ball and (Gaffney) gets down there and makes the tackle.&quot;</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="If you go" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>TONIGHT’S SECTIONAL GAMES</p><p>Class 6A</p><p>Columbus North at Center Grove, 7 p.m.</p><p>Class 5A</p><p>Bloomington South at Whiteland, 7 p.m.</p><p>Roncalli vs. Cathedral at Arsenal Tech, 7 p.m.</p><p>Class 4A</p><p>Mt. Vernon (Fortville) at Greenwood, 7 p.m.</p><p>Class 3A</p><p>Indianapolis Manual at Indian Creek, 7 p.m.</p><p>Class A</p><p>Hagerstown at Edinburgh, 7:30 p.m.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]