Well, the first week of high school football had plenty of storylines. Mother Nature did her best to ruin things with weather delays, postponements and outright cancellations all over Georgia and South Carolina.
The only thing more frustrating and messy than the weather was my predictions for Week One. I finished a disappointing 10-6. I will definitely try to improve on that mark this week.
MORE: Ashley Brown Previews the Local Football Landscape for 2021-2022
Now, onto the good news. We saw several tremendous team and individual performances in the kickoff weak. Here is a look at the top performers from this past weekend in prep football. My picks for Week Two are also below as I try to bounce back from a disappointing start.
Passing
Maleik Williams (Silver Bluff)
12 of 14 for 214 yards and one TD. He also had a rush TD in a 40-0 win over South Aiken.
Ethan Evangelista (Harlem)
7 of 12 for 159 yards, one TD and one interception in Harlem’s win over Aquinas
Noah Story (Thomson)
Story may not get a ton of playing time this year, but the sophomore shined in a blowout win over Jefferson Co. as he went 4 of 4 passing for 101 yards and a TD.
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Rushing
Jason Williams (Harlem)
23 carries, 136 yards and a TD (also had an 82-yard TD reception) as Harlem topped Aquinas.
Tay Martin (Thomson)
Six carries, 126 yards and two TDs (also had a 52 yard TD reception as the Bulldogs beat Jefferson Co. 35-6.)
Devin Heard (Laney)
17 carries 93 yards and three TDs, including the game-winner, in Laney’s come from behind win over Wash-Wilkes.
Zack Blackwell (Augusta Christian)
20 carries 96 yards and two TDs as the Lions topped Johnson 28-21
Jacorius Byrd (Harlem)
20 carries for 129 yards and one TD as the Bulldogs beat Aquinas.
Traevon Dunbar (Silver Bluff)
18 carries, 62 yards and two TDs as Silver Bluff hammered South Aiken 40-0.
Receiving
Marcellus Brigham (Laney)
4 catches for 104 yards and a TD as Laney beat Wash-Wilkes.
Mikeal Sullivan (Augusta Christian)
5 catches for 73 yards and a TD in the Lions win over Johnson HS (Savannah)
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Defense
Tony Hart (Harlem)
12 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble in Harlem’s win over Aquinas.
Vandre Thomas (Harlem)
Thomas managed 11 tackles from his defensive line spot in the Bulldogs big win.
Adam Bussey (Augusta Christian)
One interception and one fumble recovery on defense and three receptions for 12 yards on offense in the Lions win over Johnson.
This Week’s Predictions
Thomson 41, Grovetown 13
Evans 34, Hephzibah 23
Greenbrier 38, Harlem 28
Aquinas 31, Cross Creek 13
Richmond Academy 40, Augusta Christian 32
Swainsboro 27, Jefferson Co. 20
Laney 26, Jackson 18
Westside 34, Warren Co. 13
Barnwell 35, Blackville-Hilda 33
Lexington 48, South Aiken 7
Aiken 20, McCormick 19
Silver Bluff 52, Williston-Elko 13
Saluda 44, RS-Monetta 20
Strom Thurmond 34, Midland Valley 13
Ridge View 38, North Augusta 27
Ashley Brown covers sports for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Ashley.brown@theaugustapress.com.
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