CENTRAL — Following three straight close contests in region play, the Daniel Lions entered last week’s matchup with county rival Pickens looking to make a statement.

The Lions did that and more in a 45-0 win, making plays in all three facets of the game as they stifled the Pickens ground game and held the Blue Flame under 100 yards on the night.

“Any time you take on a region foe and come out with this kind of victory it feels great,” Daniel coach Jeff Fruster said after the game, which was played on Thursday night after being rescheduled due to the threat of heavy rain.

Special teams were a big factor in the Lions’ victory, as they scored on first-quarter punt return touchdowns of 50 and 70 yards by Josiah Benson and Hack Hamilton, while also

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