Three more weeks remain in the regular season, and clarity is happening with each game.
There are some hefty matchups on the slate for next Friday and the first Friday in November, but those games won’t be so big if certain teams don’t take care of business tonight.
At this point, there’s no such thing as a small contest or even a “winnable” game. Coaches are coaching their teams up to know that anyone can be beaten and have region championship and playoff berth hopes derailed.
Tonight, we’re looking at five games that could be pivotal for the postseason picture.
Thomson (6-1, 4-0) at Putnam County (5-2, 4-0): This could be the most evenly matched game of the night. Or it could be another opportunity for Thomson to flex its state championship muscles against a quality opponent. Or, it could become a monumental upset for Putnam County. Though we think the latter is not as likely, at this point in the season, anything can happen. Especially considering Putnam County is coming into this contest on a five game winning streak after losing the first two games of the season. The defense has been solid. Offense can put up points, but would rather wear you down and put you to sleep in the fourth quarter with its ground-and-pound style. Quarterback Jamarion Robertson doesn’t throw it much (just 42 attempts in seven games) but he’s efficient with six touchdown passes and only one interception. You’ll see running back by committee from the War Eagles with junior Rashod Daniel and senior Kaleb Crawford getting the lion’s share of the carries. Both teams have had two weeks to heal, rest and prepare for this one. Prediction: Thomson 38, Putnam County 21.
Aquinas (6-1, 2-0) at Washington-Wilkes (4-3, 1-1): The message in the Aquinas camp this week from coach James Leonard has been simple and clear: Don’t look ahead. A potential de-facto region championship game at home with undefeated Greene County looms next Friday, but that marquee matchup will lose its luster if the Fightin’ Irish don’t take care of business against what Leonard calls a “tough” Washington-Wilkes bunch. In fact, last year’s Washington-Wilkes squad came into Augusta and beat Aquinas 34-26, and one of their biggest offensive weapons in sophomore running back Tamari Curry (758 rushing yards, nine touchdowns and 10.1 yards per carry) is back leading a physical run game that averages 220 yards per contest and has kept them in every game they’ve played this year. Despite injuries, a fluid roster and a slew of close ballgames, Aquinas has found ways to get it done. This could be a down-to-the-wire one. Prediction: Aquinas 30, Washington-Wilkes 27.
North Augusta (6-2, 2-0) at Airport (5-4, 1-2): North August finds itself in a similar place as Aquinas in that it has a potentially huge showdown next week with an undefeated team (Midland Valley in this case), but they have to get past a team that’s good enough to trip the Yellow Jackets up if they dare to look past them. Airport started the season strong, winning four of its first five games, but has sort of stumbled down the stretch with blowout losses to Irmo and Midland Valley, a squeaker of a win against winless Aiken and a 38-15 loss to a South Aiken squad that had only won one game prior. The Eagles will try to right the ship against a North Augusta bunch that’s feeling good about itself while riding a three-game stretch of impressive victories. We say North Augusta will do its part to set up a battle of region powerhouses with Midland Valley next week. Prediction: North Augusta 41, Airport 17.
Westside (3-4, 2-2) at Laney (4-2-1, 3-1): Although this game is slated for a 2 p.m. Saturday kickoff, we’re going to still be keeping our eyes on it. Since its 28-14 loss to Thomson at the onset of the region slate, Laney’s been rolling along well with three straight region victories, all of which in fairly convincing fashion. Meanwhile, Westside seems to be just a couple of plays away from breaking through each week. And as long as its defense continues to play pretty well, along with the stellar play of junior running back Jeanarion Kamga, who’s up over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns for the season, the Patriots are always going to have a chance to hang around long enough to make things interesting. Prediction: Laney 28, Westside 20.
Silver Bluff (6-2, 2-1) at Thurmond (6-2, 3-0): You’ve got to wonder how where Silver Bluff’s head is at after a heartbreaking 15-14 loss to Saluda last week — a game that, had Silver Bluff won, would’ve set them up for the chance to ascend to first place in the region with a win against Thurmond this week. Though that’s not in play anymore, the Bulldogs still have much to play for, and these two teams are fairly evenly matched, although Thurmond has been playing lights out football after its Sept. 22 loss to North Augusta. Since then, the Rebels have defeated Batesburg-Leesville, Saluda and Pelion by a combined score of 135-24. A win for Thurmond tonight will all but seal a region crown for the Rebels and give them continued momentum heading into the state playoffs. Prediction: Thurmond 42, Silver Bluff 28.
