EASLEY — The Easley Green Wave (1-1) could not have been more surprised Aug. 26 as they rumbled to a lead only to become the victims of an unlikely comeback — which included a two-hour injury/weather delay — as they hosted D. W. Daniel (2-0) and fell 29-28.
Daniel jumped out to the early 7-0 lead on a 5-yard run by QB Ben Batson but from there it appeared it would be all Green Wave all night as Easley responded.
The Green Wave would post 21 unanswered points and take a 21-7 lead before a Daniel FG would cut the score to 21-10 in the third quarter. Weston Black led the assault by Easley, connecting with Carter Wiles for the go ahead score and with Will Drawdy’s ground attack which included a TD.
Easley’s last TD of the first half was set up by a Black to Wiles connection for 64 yards.
It was late in the third quarter when the wheels would fall off for Easley.
A two-hour delay prompted by an injury and continued by bad weather may have been Easley’s undoing as it allowed Daniel to regain its footing after having been off balance for more than a half of football. Easley had added a third quarter TD to extend their lead to 28-10 before the delay on an acrobatic TD catch from Black to Levi Segee from 35 yards out.
Daniel’s Brandon peppers ended up being an unsung hero as it was his special teams play which would tilt the field in the favor of the Lions.
Peppers returned an Easley punt 20 yards which set up Batson who found Isaac Weaver for a 35 yard TD pass on the next play, cutting the deficit to 28-17.
It would be Peppers again on the next possession as he caught a Batson pass for a 21 yard TD but the failed two point conversion made the score 28-23 in favor of Easley.
With 1:03 0n the clock Peppers would rise to the challenge and put a stake through the hearts of the Easley faithful as he took yet another late punt from the Green Wave but this time went 75 yards untouched to pay-dirt and a tremendous comeback win for Daniel as they overcame an 18-point deficit to grab an unlikely 29-28 win.
Daniel travels to Seneca on Sept. 2 to face the Bobcats and Easley will host the Bears of BHP. Kickoffs are slated for 7:30 p.m.