EASLEY — An age-old rivalry reached new heights on Friday as record breaking crowds poured into the stadium at Easley High School to watch the Green Wave take on the Blue Flame.
The first quarter started off in a defensive showdown with both teams struggling to get on the board. Easley drew first blood with a field goal and capped then off the quarter with a 79-yard touchdown bringing the score 10-0.
Pickens fans had something to cheer about in the second with an impressive pick-six but a failed extra point left the Blue Flame at six, and the team was not to score again that night.
With 7:20 left in the half, Easley hit the end-zone again, bringing the score to 17-6.
It was all downhill from there.
A blocked punt gave the guys in green another score but a missed PAT kept the score 23-6.
Pickens fumbled and turned the ball over on their own 32, resulting in yet another score for the Green Wave when they punched it in from 5-yards out with under 1:30 left in the half.
Both teams headed for the locker rooms with the scoreboard reading 30-6.
Unfortunately for Pickens, things didn’t improve in the second half and a Green Wave fumble recovery on the first play by Michael Jamison was returned for a touchdown bringing the score 37-6.
A safety toward the end of the third quarter brought the game to what would end up being the final score: Easley 39, Pickens 6.
Pickens wasn’t the only team around the Upstate that had a disappointing season opener: Liberty, hot off their deep playoff run last year, lost its opener against Pendleton 24-12.
Daniel and Wren both won their first games: The Lions took out Berkely 17-10 and the Hurricanes defeated Hillcrest 17-14.
Daniel will travel to Easley on Friday to take on the Green Wave and Pickens will head back home to host Pendleton.
Liberty will try to get back to their winning ways on Friday as they take on Walhalla at home.