The Tigers, placed back in the playoffs Thursday evening after the S.C. High School League ruled that an ineligible Lower Richland player competed in the Diamond Hornets' win last week at Blue Ridge, had turned in unifoms and equipment and had only a short morning practice as preparation for one of preseason favorites for the Class 3A state championship.
It wasn't nearly enough.
"When you're playing a team that is the quality of (Daniel) -- they're certainly one of the best teams in our state -- you've got to prepare," said Blue Ridge Head Coach Wade Cooper.
Even though Daniel spent most of the week readying itself for Lower Richland, the Lions were at least on the practice field.
And it showed as Daniel rolled up 240 rushing yards, including 167 in the first half as the Lions jumped out to a 35-10 lead.
Daniel (10-2) scored five rushing touchdowns, a total that included three by Jared Dillingham and two from Jae'lon Oglesby of 22 and 53 yards.
Tyus Gains also scored on an 87-yard kickoff return following a John Michael Bright field goal that put the Tigers' first points on the board in the first quarter.
Later, Gaines added a 46-yard touchdown reception from Andy McCall as Daniel stretched its lead to 28-10 in the second quarter.
Brennen Griffin scored the Tigers' first touchdown, taking a 22-yard screen pass from Ty Montgomery, reversing field and scampering 22 yards to make it 21-10 with 5:01 left in the first half.
Mikal Robinson added a 2-yard touchdown run to open the scoring in the second half, but the Tigers (10-2) were unable to capitalize on good field position early in the second half.
"I'm real proud of the way the kids came out and played," Cooper said. "We had an opportunity to come out and not play hard because we hadn't practiced, but we didn't do that. We played hard."
Senior Brennen Griffin led the Tigers with five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown and Brian Garrett added four receptions for 32 yards in the losing cause.
Unlike last week's emotional on-field loss to Lower Richland, the Tigers seemed drained after a 24-hour rollercoaster that gave them one final chance to play together.
"It was crazy," Griffin said. "We tried our best, though. We had a second chance, and we had nothing to lose, so we just came in the game and gave it our all. It's sad to see the season over, but I'm proud of our record and the way we played this season."
SCORING SUMMARY
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
|
Blue Ridge |
3 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
17 |
|
Daniel |
14 |
21 |
7 |
7 |
49 |
First Quarter
DANIEL: Jae'lon Oglesby 22 run (Wes Turner kick), 7-0, 9:34.?
BLUE RIDGE: John Michael Bright 27 FG, 7-3, 4:29.?
DANIEL: Tyus Gaines 87 kickoff return (Turner kick), 14-3, 4:14.
Second Quarter
DANIEL: Jared Dillingham 1 run (Turner kick), 21-3, 9:23.
BLUE RIDGE: Brennen Griffin 22 pass from Ty Montgomery (Bright kick), 21-10, 5:01.
DANIEL: Gaines 46 pass from Andy McCall (Turner kick), 28-10, 4:05.?
DANIEL: Oglesby 53 run (Turner kick), 35-10, :16.?T
Third Quarter
BLUE RIDGE: Mikal Robinson 2 run (Bright kick), 35-17, 3:57.
DANIEL: Dillingham 13 run (Turner kick), 42-17, 1:19.
Fourth Quarter
DANIEL: Dillingham 5 run (Turner kick), 49-17, 2:47.