What a week for high school football. There were several nail-biters, clutch plays, huge performances, and best of all, huge crowds rooting the kids on. Yes, it was a fun Friday night.
Harlem gave Evans all they could handle. Greenbrier and Lakeside may have produced the best game in that rivalry’s history and Burke County held off a talented Richmond Hill Squad. I did a little better on my picks and really nailed some games. I had Greenbrier beat Lakeside by one point, and they won by three on a last second TD pass. I predicted Evans would beat Harlem by 2 points and they did exactly that. Finally, I pegged Burke Co. to beat Richmond Hill 23-21. The Bears won 27-26. Maybe I am starting to get a better feel for some of the teams. At least, I hope so.
MORE: Ashley Brown Highlights Key Performances in Week Two of Prep Football
Of course, we had several stellar individual performances that deserve recognition.
So here are the top performers from last week.
Quarterback
Jalen Patrick (Hephzibah)
15 of 27 passing for 22 yards and 3 TDs
13 carries for 109 yards and 2 TDs on the ground
He scored the game winning TD in the closing seconds as Hephzibah beat Screven Co.
Brooks Pangle (Greenbrier)
11 of 14 passing for 198 yards and 2 TDs
10 carries for 69 yards rushing
He threw a 62-yard TD with under a minute to go in Greenbrier’s big win over Lakeside.
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Running Backs
Joe Hampton (Evans)
Rushed for 186 yards and 2 TDs (80 and 81 yards) as Evans topped Harlem.
Joseph Jean (Grovetown)
Rushed for 175 yards and a TD on just 15 carries as Grovetown nearly pulled off the upset vs. North Augusta.
Jackson Clayton (Greenbrier)
Rushed for 102 yards and 3 TDs on 11 carries as Greenbrier won a thriller over Lakeside.
Kevin Sapp (Lakeside)
19 carries, 155 yards and 4 TDs rushing. He also had 2 sacks, 4 tackles for loss and a forced fumble on defense in Lakeside’s heart-breaking loss to Greenbrier.
Zack Blackwell (Augusta Christian)
17 carries for 165 yards and a 73-yard TD on offense. On defense, 3 tackles for loss and a sack against a very good Athens Academy team.
Wide Receiver
Davon Driskell (Greenbrier)
The 6’6 Senior caught 5 passes for 131 yards and 2 TDs, including the game-winning score from 62 yards out with 40 seconds left as Greenbrier edged Lakeside.
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Defense
Trey Huff (Lincoln Co.)
18 total tackles as Lincoln Co. picked up a nice win over Westside.
Wes Michaelson (Augusta Christian)
13 tackles in Augusta Christian’s loss to Athens Academy
Last Week’s Picks: 7-3 Season Total: 26-12
This Week’s Predictions
Silver Bluff 41, Fox Creek 34
Evans 27, ARC 20
Greenbrier 33, Grovetown 28
Lakeside 20, Effingham Co. 17
Jefferson Co. 24, Hephzibah 20
Washington Co. 34, Swainsboro 23
Long Co. 35, Butler 13
Lincoln Co. 27, Laney 24
Wash-Wilkes 23, Warren Co. 20
First Presb. 37, Aquinas 27
Bethlehem C.A. 32, Augusta Prep 30
Saluda 37, Midland Valley 24
Str. Thurmond 30, South Aiken 16
Ashley Brown covers sports for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Ashley.brown@theaugustapress.com.
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