Let’s call this “Find Out Week.”
Because, here we are in Week 6 of high school football’s regular season, and this is the first week of some really pivotal region contests that may shape the region title and playoff postures of various teams.
By the time we get to the end of Friday night, 13 of the 33 schools in our coverage area will have played five football games, with Warren County playing its sixth of the season. That means almost half of our teams have finished the first half of the regular season.
That’s more than enough time to determine who are the true region and postseason contenders.
So, with that in mind, let’s examine the top five football games in our area this week, with a few predictions on the side.
Aquinas (2-1, 1-0) at Westside (4-0, 2-0)
When: Friday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.
The Matchup: Probably the marquee matchup of the week locally in a slate of games that’s got a few suitable ones to choose from. The fact that this pits two local foes against each other puts this game over the top as far as Game of the Week accolades go. Whoever wins this one will feel pretty good about their ability to be on top of the Region 4-AAA standings by Nov. 1. Although West Laurens (4-0, 2-0) and Harlem (3-0, 1-0) may have something to say about that. This has been a different Aquinas team than what we’ve seen the last couple of years. Its offense hasn’t been as dynamic. But new talent like junior tailback Christian Kates is emerging. Meanwhile, after a slow start Westside running back Jeanarion Kamga has rounded into the form that helped him rush for 1,500 yards last year as a junior. He’s averaging 8.7 yards per tote with a team-leading six touchdowns. Aquinas has shown some susceptibility to opponents’ run games. Last Friday, the Irish surrendered 262 rushing yards to Hephizbah. Two weeks earlier, a run-heavy Bryan County offense rolled up 229 rushing yards with both opponents averaging right around 7 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Westside’s defense has only surrendered 8 points per game. Aquinas is hoping to get sophomore DE Jaden Wuerth back for this game.
The Prediction: If this game were played a little later in the season, I might go the other way with this. But for now: Westside 28, Aquinas 17.
Howard (2-2, 1-1) at Hephzibah (1-3, 0-2)
When: Friday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.
The Matchup: Let’s just cut to the chase and say, this is a must-win for the Rebels. Coach Daniel Dorsey had high hopes for his Rebels squad before the season began, calling it perhaps his “most talented” bunch since he’s been at Hephzibah. Things started off well enough as Hephzibah beat a not-too-bad Washington-Wilkes squad to start the season. But since then, the Rebels have dropped three straight to Laney, Aquinas and Westside. Granted, that’s a tough slate of games — and only the last two count toward Region 4-AAA standings. But those hopes of finishing in the top four for playoff contention may start fading fast if Hephzibah loses to Howard. The Huskies are nobody’s pushover, having taken undefeated West Laurens to the brink in a 28-27 loss on Sept. 6. They took care of business against a pesky Richmond Academy squad last week as well. Hephzibah will need to lean on a punishing rushing attack and play mistake-free football in order to send Howard back to Macon with a loss.
The Prediction: This could be a “get well” game for the Rebels that will start close, but end in the home team’s favor. Hephzibah 35, Howard 20.
Brunswick (3-1, 2-0) at Greenbrier (2-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.
The Matchup: Brunswick is one of those Georgia high school football programs that’s never won a state title, but always seems to be somewhere in a playoff picture. The Pirates are two seasons removed from winning back-to-back region championships, and they’ve made the state playoffs for the last five seasons. On the other side, Greenbrier, with new head coach Sean Tiernan, is in rebuilding mode. The Wolfpack is looking for its first winning season and playoff appearance since 2020. They’ve had two weeks to prepare for this Region 1-AAAAA matchup, whereas Brunswick beat Evans in convincing fashion (48-14) just this past Friday. A win here for Greenbrier will go a long way in legitimizing year one of its rebuild campaign, while also posturing them well to possibly be 3-0 in region play by the time Lakeside comes calling on Oct. 11.
The Prediction: When your only loss of the season is by 10, in Week 1 against a nationally ranked state power in Camden County, chances are you’re a pretty good football team. Greenbrier’s gotten better, but Brunswick is too strong here. Brunswick 41, Greenbrier 21.
Harlem (3-0, 1-0) at West Laurens (4-0, 2-0)
When: Friday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.
The Matchup: How ‘bout a battle of Region 4-AAA unbeatens? That’s what we’ll get here. Harlem edged Baldwin Friday and found a star in 6-foot-3 junior WR/DB Jayden Futrell. West Laurens is in completely rarified air, as you’ll have to get in your time machines and travel back to 1990 to find the last time the Raiders started a season 4-0. Junior Ty Cummings has been a “dawg” for West Laurens. He’s averaging a ridiculous 12 yards per carry, and has helped West Laurens to a healthy 237.8 rushing yards per game. Harlem’s still finding itself offensively, and several key injuries, including at quarterback, haven’t helped. This will also be the Bulldogs’ first trip away from the friendly confines of the Augusta area.
The Prediction: If Harlem can stop the run, it can win the game. Just not sure it can do that — at least not here. West Laurens 27, Harlem 17.
Lakeside (4-0, 2-0) at Glynn Academy (3-1, 2-1)
When: Friday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.
The Matchup: There are four teams who have yet to lose a Region 1-AAAAA game. By the time Friday is done, there will only be two such teams remaining. While Brunswick and Greenbrier — the other two teams with undefeated region records — square off, so too will Lakeside and Glynn Academy. If the Panthers are able to win this one, they’ll be in the driver’s seat in the region, setting up another battle later in the season with region title implications against either Greenbrier or Brunswick. Quarterback Ty Jones was out in last week’s 49-6 win over South Effingham. On one hand, you worry about that, if you’re coach Steve Hibbitts because you want your best player on the field as much as possible. But on the other hand, it’s a sign of a complete team when you can have a player like Jones out and still roll your opponent as if nothing was different. But Lakeside’s test will also include a section called, “Can we beat an established program on the road?” It’s something the Panthers haven’t done a ton of in its history. And Glynn Academy is one of those “always good” programs. An underrated detail, Lakeside’s defense has been pretty stellar this season. And it’ll have to be Friday to give the Panthers a chance to win.
The Prediction: If Ty Jones is back: Lakeside 21, Glynn Academy 20.
