1. Think to the past

In Week 8 of the regular season, Daniel traveled to Belton-Honea Path in a game that most people assumed would determine the region. Those people were correct, but it turned out to be nothing close to the highly contested battle that everyone expected. Instead, Daniel had no trouble corralling B-HP’s high-powered offense, and the Lions walked out of Honea Path with a 24-7 victory. While Berea isn’t exactly the same team as B-HP, it has the same type of offense that balances the run and the pass and, more than occasionally, connects for a big play. The Lions contained B-HP’s backs from breaking contain, and did not allow the Bears’ receivers to find any openings in the secondary. If Daniel can create a similar gameplan, there is no reason it can’t come through with the same type of effort against Berea.

2. Mix and match the ground game

With the luxury of having running back Brandon Anderson in uniform for Friday’s matchup, the Lions can finally take advantage of all the talent they have in the backfield. C.J. Davidson has shown his speed in recent weeks by picking up where Anderson left off after his injury in Week 6, and Jaquil Durham has shown he is capable of picking up a share of the load as well. With Davidson or Durham handling plays off tackle and to the outside and Anderson taking the carries into the middle of the defense, Berea will be in the unenviable position of having to know the personnel and prepare for both scenarios. With the type of production that those backs could produce, there is no reason not to feel out what is working and show multiple looks.

3. Lean on the veterans

Having been in this very position as region champions the last two years, the Lions are no strangers to the intense grind and pressure that comes with hosting a playoff game and having high expectations. That being said, Daniel platoons two first-year quarterbacks, and has many other contributors who weren’t necessarily a part of the past few teams. But many players were a part of those teams, and they have played first round games before. They know that if they play like they are capable of playing, they will take care of business and advance. That alone needs to be the gameplan. Think about this game, play like you can and the rest will take care of itself. If for any reason some of the younger players begin to get frustrated or lose their focus, it is the responsibility of the ones who have been there before to pick up the slack.

kevin@dailyjm.com