CENTRAL—Daniel may have missed out on another state AAA football title last season, but the Lions lost to Chester 27-24 in the Upstate championship game, but the Lions’ 10-0 regular season finish allows Daniel to come into the season with a 17-game regular season winning streak.

Daniel will try to continue that streak when the Lions open their 2009 season against Easley Aug. 28.

The Lions defeated Easley 14-7 last year. Easley was unable to earn a win the rest of the season, just as the Lions were never defeated in the regular season.

Daniel will have its home opener Sept. 4 against Hanna. Daniel also defeated the Yellow Jackets 14-7 last season. Hanna finished the 2008 season with a 4-7 record, earning a spot in the AAAA Division II playoffs. Hanna lost 28-2 to Goose Creek in the first round.

Daniel will then travel to Westside to face the Rams, a team the Lions beat 21-20 in the closest game of the regular season. Westside finished the 2008 season 3-8, missing the playoffs.

The Lions return home Sept. 18 to host Southside. Southside finished the 2008 regular season 6-4. The Tigers defeated Emerald in the first round of the AA playoffs, but lost to Strom Thurmond in the second round. By the way, Southside scored 292 points during the regular season, despite its 6-4 record. The Tigers tallied up 101 points in their two playoff games.

Daniel then host is neighbor Pendleton Sept. 25. The Lions topped the Bulldogs 35-7 last season. Pendleton finished second in the Skyline AA conference, defeating Broome in the first round of the playoffs before losing to Fairfield Central in the second round.

The Lions begin the defense of their Western AAA title by traveling to Woodmont Oct. 2. Despite Daniel’s 42-6 win over the Wildcats last year, Woodmont still captured second place in the Western AAA conference, reaching the playoffs at the AAA level for the first time. Woodmont defeated Union County in the first round of the playoffs, but fell to eventual Upstate champions Chester in the second round.

The Lions will renew their rivalry at home with Seneca Oct. 9. Last year Daniel topped Seneca 14-0. The Bobcats came into the game with a 1-4 record. After the loss, Seneca won two of its final three games to earn a spot in the AAA playoffs, where the Bobcats lost to Greer.

Daniel travels to Belton-Honea Path Oct. 16 for a Western AAA showdown. The Bears are the only team other than Daniel to win a Western AAA title since Seneca won the 1996 title. In 12 seasons since then, Daniel and BHP have split, with six Western AAA titles for each school.

Daniel defeated BHP 24-7 last season. The Bears finished the season 4-7, losing to Clinton in the first round of the AAA playoffs. It was Belton’s first losing season since 1995.

West-Oak will face Daniel in the Lions regular-season home finale Oct. 23. The Lions defeated the Warriors — who were returning to the Western AAA conference after a long stint at the AA level — 36-7 last season.

The Lions will end the season at Pickens. Daniel dominated Pickens 48-3 last season. The Blue Flame had started the season 6-0, but lost the final four games of the year and missed earning a spot in the AAA playoffs.

Daniel Lions 2009 Football Schedule

Aug. 28 at Easley

Sept. 4 HANNA

Sept. 11 at Westside

Sept. 18 SOUTHSIDE

Sept. 25 PENDLETON

Oct. 2 Woodmont

Oct. 9 SENECA

Oct. 16 at Belton-Honea Path

Oct. 23 WEST-OAK

Oct. 30 at Pickens