As the fall sports season begins across Georgia, it's time to look ahead on the calendar to find those must-see games:
Football
The rivalry games are always exciting. Beyond that, check out Statesboro when it comes to town Sept. 28 (at Lakeside) and Oct. 12 (at Evans).
Those are the only two times the Blue Devils are scheduled to come to Columbia County this year and the only chance fans will have to see DeAngelo Tyson in action.
ESPN ranked the senior defensive tackle as one of the top 50 prospects in the nation earlier this year. Catch him in person on Friday nights before watching him on television on future Saturday afternoons playing for the University of Georgia, where he has committed.
Augusta Christian's top two games this year promise the best private school football action around. Check out the Lions at home when they face annual powerhouse Charlotte-Latin on Aug. 31 and region rival Hammond on Oct. 26.
Softball
The same rivalry games apply as must-see action in softball. Unfortunately, Harlem and Greenbrier aren't scheduled to play anymore in the regular season. They're the top two teams around, in my opinion. Check out any Lady Wolfpack game this year to see sophomore stars Kaila Hunt and Ashlyn Masters patrol the middle infield.
Any game with Lakeside pitcher Kaitlin Hill on the mound is worth the price of admission.
Harlem's big game of the regular season will take place Sept. 21 when South Effingham comes to town. Harlem owns the north part of the subregion. South Effingham owns the south portion.
South Effingham lost to Effingham County last week (a big softball upset that made sports-front news in Savannah).
This could be the year that Harlem knocks off its region nemesis.
Also, check out Greenbrier's toughest regular season competition this year when Collins Hill comes to town Sept. 15. Greenbrier is ranked No. 2 in Class AAAA. Collins Hill has the No. 2 spot in Class AAAAA.
Volleyball
Again, the rivalry games among Lakeside, Greenbrier, Evans and Harlem are a requirement for local fans. Volleyball is a spectator-friendly sport with one-hour matches and air-conditioned gyms.
The action isn't bad, either. Class AAA No. 5 Oconee County comes to town to face Class AAAA No. 6 Greenbrier on Sept. 8. The most concentrated volleyball talent will travel to Columbia County on Sept. 28-29 when the Augusta Prep Invitational will be host for several talented South Carolina high schools and all four teams from last year's GISA Class AAA state tournament semifinals.
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