It’s about this time in the high school football season where we start seeing the truth about who teams really are.
Most coaches will say that the biggest jump of improvement a team makes during the season is between games one and two. If that’s true, then it’s around games three and four when habits and consistency start to manifest — for good or for bad.
Most local squads are taking trips away from their home stadiums for what will be a final non-region tune up for many before the “real season” begins. We all know that, in Georgia high school football, it’s all about the region record when it comes to deciding a team’s postseason slate.
That said, there are still some really fun non-region tilts to help us transition into the next part of the season. Here are the five we’ll keep watch on for Friday night.
Laney (1-1-1) at Thomson (2-1): So far, the 2023 season has followed the 2022 script almost precisely for defending Class AA state champion Thomson. A close season opening loss to Burke County followed by a couple of blowout contests against overmatched opponents before meeting up with a physical, tough-as-nails Laney squad. And if the 2023 script continues to follow the trend, this matchup ought to be a fun one to watch. Since this year’s Burke County loss, Thomson has defeated Jefferson County and Grovetown by a combined score of 84-7, which shows the Bulldogs may be getting some of its big-play mojo back. Meanwhile, Laney’s offense found another gear with last week’s 44-44 tie at First Presbyterian Day in Macon. That game was the first appearance of the season for senior Javaris Harris, and his presence made a difference then, and should tonight. No team played Thomson tighter in defeat last year than Laney. Perhaps an upset in the making? Prediction: Laney 28, Thomson 26.
Evans (1-2) at Thurmond (2-1): The Rebels’ last two non-region contests will be against teams that played each other to open the season. This week it’s Evans. Next week it’ll be North Augusta. Evans and North Augusta played to a 14-7 defensive slugfest won by the Yellow Jackets in the first game of the season. In fact, all of the Knights’ games this season — including the Greenbrier win — have been closely contested. Evans had Burke County tied at 7-7 at halftime last week before folding a bit in the third quarter. For Evans coach Barrett Davis, non-region play is all about seeing his kids compete and improve each week. The Knights’ defense will make sure they hang tough in this one. Prediction: Thurmond 17, Evans 10.
Lakeside (2-1) at Veterans (2-1): The non-region slate couldn’t have gone much better for Lakeside so far. A 27-17 setback to North Augusta on Sept. 1 — a game where the Panthers actually stormed back in the second half to make it competitive — is the team’s only setback. They’ll travel to take on a solid Veterans program that probably feels like it should be 3-0 after falling 49-41 to Perry last week. This will be a true barometer game for the Panthers to see just exactly how competitive they’ve become before getting a bye week to prepare for their season opener with Evans. Prediction: Veterans 35, Lakeside 20.
Midland Valley (4-0) at Westwood (1-3): At this point, we’re watching the Midland Valley Mustangs like a hawk for two main reasons: 1.) To see how long they can keep this now-school record winning pace going. And 2.) To see if senior running back Traevon Dunbar hits the 200-rushing yard mark again. Dunbar’s already gotten to 1,000 yards with six regular season games still remaining. He got to the 1,000-yard milestone by rushing for 248 yards and four touchdowns in Valley’s 42-35 win against Harlem last week. He’ll have a shot at another big night against a Westwood (SC) defense that hasn’t been that stout thus far. Prediction: Midland Valley 52, Westwood 17 (And 200-plus more yards for Dunbar).
Aquinas (3-0) at Harlem (2-2): Speaking of Harlem, the Bulldogs will have a tough opponent to try and get well from its shootout loss to Midland Valley last week as they welcome undefeated Aquinas which had an extra week to recover from its 19-17 thriller win at Savannah Country Day. The Fightin’ Irish are undefeated, but they’ve gotten there the hard way. After a 49-20 dismantling of Jefferson County in the opener, wins against Westside and Savannah Country Day have come by a combined four points. Meanwhile, even in defeat, Harlem’s offense has been putting up ample numbers. Harlem will be hungry at home to snap a two game skid. Prediction: Harlem 31, Aquinas 28.
A few Augusta-area teams will be looking to make it two in a row the second week of action, while others will be trying to bounce back from season-opening losses. We’ll make predictions on the top five games we’ll be keeping our eyes on.
Additionally, we’ll get you caught up on some teams that are enjoying an early-season bye week but could be poised to take a next step toward an undefeated non-region slate.
Finally, we’ll give you five players that have caught our eye already that may be worth keeping tabs on in the Player of the Year race.
Let’s start with the players:
RB Telly Johnson, Hephzibah: All eyes were on the Rebels’ quarterback-receiver connections in their season opener against Westside last week. And that makes sense, given the departures of long-time starters Jalen Patrick and his favorite target Eric Grant. And while junior quarterback JJ Gant played admirably in his debut as a full-time starter (6-of-11 passing, 101 yards, 1 TD), Johnson, the 6-foot, 215-pound senior Johnson stole the show. Already considered one of the area’s top returning tailbacks for 2023, Johnson proved his mettle when he rushed for 226 yards and four touchdowns on just nine totes. He notched an eye-popping 25.1 yards per carry, and scored one of his touchdowns on a 99-yard jaunt out of the wildcat formation, and a 26-yard score where he leaped over one defender and broke two tackles on his way to the end zone in Hephzibah’s 35-14 win against Westside. The stakes will be higher as Johnson and company will face a super salty Laney defense Friday at 7:30 p.m. If Johnson posts anything close to those numbers against the Wildcats, Johnson will solidify his place as one of the top backs in the state.
RB/LB Maurice Holmes, Josey: The 5-foot-9, 175-pound senior was a do-it-all dynamo for the Eagles as they picked up their second straight season opening win against Savannah Saturday in a 28-26 victory. After an extremely challenging week for anyone connected to Josey High School. Holmes made a number of key tackles and defensive plays while also being a part of solid offensive attack that notched its highest scoring output in a season opener since defeating Groves 35-18 back in 2017. He’s part of an athletic group of skill players who look poised to make the Eagles a tough out for anyone who dares to underestimate them.
RB Traevon Dunbar, Midland Valley: Midland Valley rolled up 428 rushing yards in its ____ win at Grovetown last Friday, and Dunbar had 267 of them along with two scores. Dunbar is a 5-foot-10, 190-pound 3-star prospects with a dozen Division I and Power 5 offers from the likes of Arkansas, Ole Miss, Penn State, Virginia Tech and Michigan State just to name a few. And that’s not including the schools expressing heavy interest. After playing in just five games last season (he still rushed for almost 600 yards), the senior is healthy and hoping to make the most of his final year of high school ball. If Dunbar has more games like his season opener, that offer and interest list is sure to grow.
RB Jeanarion Kanga, Westside: This might be one of the best players in the CSRA that some have not heard of. As a junior, Kanga showed flashes of sophomore brilliance in 2022 while rushing for 303 yards and tallying 72 tackles including nine for loss and a pair of quarterback sacks on defense. Well, let’s just say he’s picked up where he left off, and then some.
LB Wesley Michaelson, Aquinas: While Fightin’ Irish star Clark Jackson was busy doing Clark Jackson things on offense and defense, a new star in green was emerging. Michaelson made his presence felt in a major way for the Aquinas defense. He totaled 11 tackles, three four losses and two quarterback sacks for an Aquinas defense that helped the Irish to a 49-20 win over Jefferson County last Friday. Michaelson and Jackson side by side gives Aquinas one of the most potent linebacking corps in the CSRA. His presence can give Aquinas that extra athleticism to push a good team in 2022 over the top in 2023.
Now, let’s take a look at four teams to watch:
Josey Eagles (1-0), Last game: 28-26 win at Savannah: The win was refreshing for Josey coach Lawrence Pinkney, especially given all that his team went through leading up to the season opener. Pinkney and his staff have infused some life and intensity into a Josey program that hasn’t won more than three games in a season since 2016. The Eagles have a winnable game at Richmond Academy next Friday and an extra week to prepare. A victory at ARC would give Josey a 2-0 start for the first time since 2015 which is also the last time Josey posted a winning record or made it to the state playoffs.
Lakeside Panthers (1-0), Last game: 46-24 win at Aiken: Coach Steve Hibbitts’ Lakeside squad hasn’t seen a winning record since the 2019 squad went 7-3. And you’ll have to go back to 2011 for the last time the Panthers combined both a winning record and playoff berth. But a convincing win over Aiken to open the season should help Lakeside build the kind of early season momentum that could see them leave non-region play with at least a 2-2 record and some confidence going into Region 2-AAAAAA play.
Cross Creek Razorbacks (1-0), Last game: Win by forfeit vs. Butler: At long last,
Coach Ezzard Horn will finally get the chance to see his Razorbacks in action against someone other than themselves. Cross Creek’s scheduled season opener against Butler last week was cancelled by Butler, resulting in a win by forfeit. But Horn’s crew would rather get it the old fashioned way. They’ll get their chance Friday against a Glenn Hills program that’s won a grand total of four games since 2020. With a noticeable increase in skill position talent and a favorable non-region schedule, it wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world to see a 3-1 Cross Creek team heading to Hart County for its final non-region tune-up.
Evans Knights (0-1), Last game: 14-7 loss to North Augusta: The Knights probably wish they could have the North Augusta game back. A defensive grind, Evans had opportunities to best the Yellow Jackets for a second straight season, but couldn’t capitalize. Still, there’s a lot to like about this team’s potential. Greenbrier is winnable. We’ll know more about this team’s potential after the Burke County and Strom Thurmond games.
Let’s have some predictions now:
Hephzibah (1-0) at Laney (0-1): The Wildcats were hoping to have WR/DB Javaris Harris in their lineup this week, but that still seems to be up in the air as the senior battles with eligibility issues. But Laney’s still plenty talented. They’ll face a tank of a running back in Hephzibah’s Telly Johnson. Should be a fun battle of strength on strength. Prediction: Hephzibah 21, Laney 13
Aquinas (1-0) at Westside (0-1): It’s just one game, but Aquinas looks like its on a championship mission this year. Whether that’s a state or region championship (or both) remains to be seen. Westside wants to get back to its 2021 winning ways, but this date with Aquinas may not be the time to do it. Prediction: Aquinas 31, Westside 17.
Greenbrier (0-1) at Grovetown (0-1): Both of these teams are smarting from opening season losses. But Grovetown may be the grumpier of the two, as the Warriors actually led in their loss to Midland Valley at halftime. Meanwhile, Greenbrier was on the wrong end of a 28-0 rout against Harlem late in the third quarter before tacking on some late scores to make it respectable. Prediction: Grovetown 35, Greenbrier 17.
Thomson (0-1) at Jefferson County (0-1): Look for Thomson to bounce back in a big way after last week’s nail biter loss to rival Burke County. Though it’s a very different team from last year, the Bulldogs still have plenty of pieces on offense to be dangerous. They’ll certainly have enough to dispatch Jefferson County. Prediction: Thomson 42, Jefferson County 14.
Strom Thurmond (1-0) at Midland Valley (1-0): This early-season matchup of two of the best teams on the CSRA’s South Carolina side may be the most intriguing matchup in the area this week. Both teams are chocked full of college football talent. Thurmond has dominated this series recently, but Midland nipped the Rebels last year, which means Thurmond will be looking for revenge. Prediction: Thurmond 38, Midland Valley 31.
