The excitement that comes with the newness of the first half of the high school football season has come and gone. Non-region play, for the most part, is all over. Now, it’s the grind toward what really matters — postseason play.
Contenders and pretenders for region and state championship supremacy will be filtered out supremely over the next few weeks. The matchups get more crucial, which means the action on the field will intensify considerably. Which also means we’re also going to be ramping up our coverage of the action some as we take that in-earnest march toward November and the state playoffs.
So let’s take a look at the top five games were watching this week:
Wayne County (4-1) at Burke County (5-0): This is the headliner as far as quality of teams playing each other. It’s also both teams’ Region 3-AAAA opener. This will, no doubt, be Burke County’s stiffest competition since the opening week annual showdown with Thomson. Of course, all eyes are waiting to be affixed upon the Benedictine at Burke County matchup next Friday. But the Bears would do well to not overlook Wayne County this week. The Yellow Jackets roll into town with a running game that averages 217.2 yards per contest, and senior tailback Matthew Fuller has been a load to bring down with his 887 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns through the first five games. Burke’s defense has been stingy, though, and the home crowd and familiar settings of Waynesboro will help. Prediction: Burke County 31, Wayne County 21.
Lakeside (2-2, 0-0) at Evans (2-3, 1-0): The Knights looked very impressive in last week’s region opener against Grovetown — a 27-6 win that showed off new personnel and wrinkles offensively while boasting a stout defense that seemed to get “stouter” as the game went on. Meanwhile, Lakeside is the only Region 2-AAAAAA team that hasn’t played a region game. The Panthers have had two weeks to rest and prepare for this game after their 38-15 loss at Veterans on Sept. 15. Not only will Evans be looking for a little revenge from last year’s 21-20 heartbreaker loss to Lakeside, the Knights will be trying for a 2-0 start in region play as well as a sweep of the Columbia County high schools on their schedule this year. Prediction: Evans 20, Lakeside 13
Washington County (2-3, 1-1) at Laney (2-2-1, 1-1): This promises to be a tough, physical game between what many believe are the two best teams in Region 4-AA not named Thomson (although Westside and Putnam County may want to take issue with that). Both teams have had their shot at Thomson and failed. Now, they’ll play each other to try and keep pole position for the coveted second place spot in the region standings — provided Thomson doesn’t unexpectedly slip up — which ensures a first round home game in the playoffs. Both teams want to run the ball, and both are good at it. Laney is continuing to find its way offensively with Javaris Harris now firmly in the lineup as a passing threat quarterback. Don’t be surprised to see this one go down to the wire. Prediction: Laney 28, WACO 24.
Hammond (4-2), 2-0 at Augusta Christian (3-3, 2-0): We want to keep an eye on this one because we’re watching the trajectory of Augusta Christian, particularly since it dealt with an early season coaching change. Chris Thomas departed just a couple of weeks into the season which made way for Mark Ethridge to take the helm. The Lions started with a season-opening win against Ridge Spring-Monetta (SC), but lost their next three games badly (by a combined score of 135-23) before bouncing back with two impressive region wins against South Carolina schools Trinity Collegiate and Heathwood Hall — both of which are in Augusta Christian’s region. Here, they’ll play a hot Hammond squad that’s held its last three opponents to a combined 13 points. The outcome of this game will provide a clearer picture of AC’s trajectory the rest of the way. Prediction: Hammond 31, Augusta Christian 23
Lincoln County (3-2) at Aquinas (4-1): Historically, Aquinas hadn’t been very successful against Lincoln County squads. In a series that includes 42 games played since 1970, Aquinas won back-to-back matchups against Lincoln County in 1971 and 1972 and proceeded to lose a whopping 32 straight against the Red Devils until finally reversing their fortunes with a 42-14 win in 2013 — the first of four straight wins and six victories in seven contests. Lincoln County broke its skid with the Fightin’ Irish last year in a 28-24 win, and now both teams look to be about as evenly matched as ever. Both teams want this region win against each other to prove that they’re rounding back into dominant, championship form. And for that reason, expect a donnybrook of a game. Prediction: Aquinas 24, Lincoln County 21.
Harlem (3-2) at Cross Creek (3-1): It’s been really difficult to get a good read on this year’s Cross Creek team. We saw enough from the Razorbacks in scrimmage play against Josey and wins against Glenn Hills and Savannah to say that it’s a much improved squad, talent wise, in coach Ezzard Horn’s second year at the helm. On the other hand, neither Glenn Hills or Savannah have proven to be stiff competition. The scheduled season opener against Butler was canceled, and Cross Creek fought hard and competed well at times in a 39-14 loss on the road to undefeated Jenkins County. Meanwhile, Harlem — despite its two losses — look to be one of the more stout teams in the CSRA, given their midseason resume. Razor thin losses to Elbert County and Midland Valley and an impressive shootout win against Aquinas make the Bulldogs an intriguing squad to watch as the season goes on. Prediction: Harlem 35, Cross Creek 21.
