CENTRAL — The 2008 D.W. Daniel Lions aren’t used to trailing, but staring down a 2-point deficit in the third quarter against Fairfield-Central Friday in the second round of the playoffs left Daniel coach Randy Robinson “thinking two things.”

“That’s the first time we’ve trailed in 12 football games and second, it’s time to find out if this team’s got character,” Robinson said.

On the next drive, facing a third-and-27, Lions’ quarterback Justin Walker heaved a long pass into double coverage for receiver/cornerback DeAndre Hopkins, who made a leaping catch between two Griffin defenders for a 32-yard gain to keep the drive alive.

“I knew that if it was in the air I was just going to go get it,” Hopkins said. “It’s my ball. I was trying to make a play for my team.”

The play might have also kept Daniel’s playoff run going as well. Walker hit Marcus Greenlee for a 9-yard touchdown a few plays later to give the Lions a 21-16 lead, and Daniel used a big fourth quarter to put the Griffins away for a 36-16 victory that advances the Lions (12-0) to the third round next week against Lugoff-Elgin.

“We’ve been riding our defense all year long,” Robinson said. “I told our offense it was time we did it in all three phases of the game. We’ve been solid on special teams but tonight the offense decided to do their part and we’re going to have to continue that if we want to advance.”

The Griffins (9-3) took advantage of several Daniel mistakes with a safety on a fumbled punt return and a pair of touchdowns — a 37-yard pass from quarterback Justin Trapp to Makindrix Thompson and a 14-yard scoring run by Shane Boulware.

But, Robinson got a huge performance from Walker and Hopkins in the rally. The senior quarterback went 9-for-11 for 176 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.

“He’s just a winner, you don’t get many like that,” Robinson said. “He’ll run the football, he had several long runs, and he’ll throw it. He wants this team to be successful and that’s the kind of quarterback you want on your team.”

Hopkins, known more for his defensive back skills, was the recipient of four of Walker’s completions — for 87 yards — and two of the touchdowns.

“Hopkins is a gamer,” Robinson said. “I’ve been doing this 19 years and I’ve never seen one quite like him. He’s got that desire to win like a coach on the field. He’s amazing.”

Following the go-ahead touchdown, Daniel used another spectacular pass play to put the game away. Up five points, Daniel ran a trick play with Walker going in motion while Hopkins took the snap. He then threw behind the line of scrimmage to Walker, who launched a pass down the field to Greenlee, who made the catch for a 55-yard gain that later set up a 7-yard touchdown throw to Hopkins.

“We’ve been practicing that for two years, that throwback,” Robinson said. “The kids have been begging to run it, we practice it every Thursday, actually practiced it twice this week. Finally let them throw it. It wasn’t the prettiest pass in the world but the result was real good.”