CENTRAL — The Daniel Lions have found themselves in unfamiliar territory in the 2015 season beginning the season at 0-2 following a heartbreaking 27-21 overtime loss to the Emerald Vikings at home Sept. 4.

Things would be touch and go for both the Lions and Vikings as the programs traded blows throughout the regular session before going to an extra frame. Emerald opened the scoring when Willie Reynolds would break free and find the Daniel end zone for the early 7-0 lead.

Before Daniel could respond, the Vikings defense put a stop to the Lions on offense, forcing a punt which they blocked setting up the short field. But Daniel’s defense would bow up, when Avery Conrad came up with a big sack to stop the Emerald drive.

Just when the Daniel faithful were sure the offensive side of the ball would leave them scoreless, head coach Randy Robinson pulled out his bag of tricks on a fourth and forever at midfield in the first quarter. Donte Gilliard would take the hand-off and run a halfback pass, hitting Carter Groomes for a 47-yard TD pass to tie the game at 7-7.

Daniel threatened to take a second quarter lead after a Ben Batson pass to C. J. Scott down to the Emerald 11-yard line but would come up short when Batson would lose control of the ball at the goal line on a QB sneak and the Vikings recovery.

The two would trade two scores a piece before time ran out, the game knotted at 21-21, forcing OT. Emerald would respond, taking a 27-21 OT win and forcing Daniel’s backs against the wall with the 0-2 start.

Daniel travels to Westside on Sept. 11 to face the unbeaten Rams, coming off a 36-10 win over Belton-Honea Path. Kick off is at 7:30 p.m.

By D. C. Moody

dmoody@civitasmedia.com

Reach D. C. Moody at 864-855-0355.