Here we are in Week 5 of the high school football season. It moves fast, doesn’t it?
As with each Friday, the previous week’s games and results produce the fodder for the following week’s storylines. And it’s no different for this Friday.
Lakeside’s 21-0 win at Evans in the rain last week was most impressive — perhaps one of the most impressive wins the Panthers have had in the last several years. But coach Steve Hibbitts will be the first to tell you that it will quickly lose its luster if the Panthers lay an egg against winless South Effingham.
Meanwhile, Evans has a tough bounce-back assignment at Brunswick, and all of a sudden, Laney at Greene County has become a major barometer game for the Wildcats.
Some teams have already gotten this week’s games out of the way, thanks to the threat of inclement weather from Hurricane Francine. But there’s still plenty of action to talk about this week.
Here are the five games we’re watching, analyzing and predicting this Friday.
North Augusta (2-1, 1-0) at Thurmond (2-0, 0-0)
When: Friday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.
The Matchup: Right now, these look like the two best teams in the South Carolina part of our coverage area, so this ought to be a must-see affair. Some may have written Thurmond off for a rebuilding year this season, given that some of their most talented athletes from last year are playing college ball right now. But the Rebels have switched philosophy a bit, at least through the first two games of the season, to a more ground-and-pound style of play. Thurmond is averaging 236 yards rushing per game and 7.4 yards per carry. For that reason, junior quarterback Bri’shaun Lee has only had to throw it 15 times. Thurmond’s first two wins against McCormick and Silver Bluff have been blowouts — much of that due to both teams’ combined records of 0-3. Meanwhile, North Augusta has been battle tested in the early part of the season with wins at Thomson and against South Aiken and a narrow loss to undefeated Lexington. The Jackets will run the ball with junior tailback Michael Doe and quarterback Corey Tillman, but they can also balance it out with an efficient pass game that primarily targets senior wideout Connor Brown.
The Prediction: Given the way these two play, this game could be over before 9:30 p.m. Whenever it ends, we think North Augusta will emerge victorious. North Augusta 31, Thurmond 20.
Laney (3-1, 0-0) at Greene County (3-1, 0-0)
When: Friday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.
The Matchup: No one really knew what to expect from Laney to begin the season. That’s because a large part of their offensive output and defensive stars graduated from last year. Coach Ronnie Baker acknowledged before the season opener against Westside that he would be starting a lot of young, inexperienced players who still had to learn how to compete under Friday night lights. Well, so far, so good. The Wildcats’ only loss of the season was in a game — that aforementioned season opener — that they didn’t get to finish. Since then, Laney’s ripped off three straight wins, scoring no less than 30 points in any of them, while finding a new set of contributors who make this team go. Greene County is its last non-region tune up before getting two weeks to prepare for their Region 4-AA opener against Thomson. Greene County will be hungry for a win after falling to rival Morgan County 35-13 last week.
The Prediction: Greene County has a potentially explosive offense, but so too does Laney. The only difference? Experience. Still, I think this Laney squad is better than most of us thought before August 16. Lane 38, Greene County 31.
Westside (3-0, 1-0) at Hephzibah (1-2, 0-1)
When: Friday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.
The Matchup: This feels like another of those “How good are you, really” games. Hephzibah had high hopes coming into the season with a tough defense, a more experienced quarterback and solid offensive line. But after knocking off Washington-Wilkes 34-24 in Week 1, Hephzibah has had a hard time closing out close games. Against Laney, the Rebels fell behind 30-13 at halftime before trying to make a comeback in the fourth quarter but falling short. Last Friday at Aquinas, coach Daniel Dorsey’s team started fast, scored first and was down by just one heading into the fourth quarter before the Fightin’ Irish scored a late touchdown for a 22-14 win. Meanwhile, Westside’s three wins were the shortened 7-6 season opener at Laney, a blowout win over winless Glenn Hills and a 27-12 victory at winless Richmond Academy. Senior Jeanarion Kamga looks poised for another strong season at running back for the Patriots. But Westside hasn’t really been tested — at least not in the last two games — against what some may consider quality opponents.
The Prediction: Hephzibah has the heft up front, particularly on offense, to give quarterback JJ Gant and running back Reante Byrd ample running room. It should be enough to give Hephzibah its first region win. Hephzibah 27, Westside 21.
Evans (2-1, 0-1) at Brunswick (2-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.
The Matchup: It’s a crucial stretch for the Knights as it plays the first of three region road games with trips to South Effingham (0-2), Glynn Academy (2-1) and Effingham County (0-3) to follow. Brunswick is a perennial playoff team over the last five seasons with region titles in 2021 and 2022. And traveling away from home is always a tough proposition on Friday nights. Coach Barrett Davis is more concerned about his team getting better between the ears than just between the hash marks. The biggest goal for Evans this week will to not allow Lakeside to beat them twice. Brunswick has had three impressive games, even with its one loss. That came against nationally ranked Camden County — a 51-41 setback where Brunswick was actually up 14-3 at the end of the first quarter before pulling away in the second half, but Wayne County and Effingham County are a combined 0-7.
The Prediction: This could be — and probably should be — a close contest. Would like to see if Evans can get its downfield passing game going with quarterback EJ Hogan and Kent State wide receiver commit BuddyRow Garrer. Evans 27, Brunswick 24.
Baldwin (1-2, 1-0) at Harlem (2-0, 0-0)
When: Friday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.
The Matchup: After two weeks off, Harlem is well rested and should be ready for its Region 4-AAA opener. Baldwin’s got a 1-0 region head start after its 51-22 win over Cross Creek last week — its first win of the season. Meanwhile, Harlem’s wins against Greenbrier and Washington-Wilkes are looking better with each week as both those teams seem to be headed toward solid seasons. We’ll get to see more from junior running back Malik Tyler who’s gone over 100 yards rushing in both of the Bulldogs’ first two games. Quartebacks Brent Coleman and Giovanni Arroyo have been a bit of a committee behind center with a combined 223 yards and four passing touchdowns with no interceptions in 34 combined attempts.
