Expect Greenbrier, Harlem to chalk up victories
Ashley Brown picks winners for Friday night high school football
Evans at Greenbrier: This could have been a matchup of two of the CSRA's best high school quarterbacks, had Evans junior Travis Clark not broken his ankle. Without him, the Knights will have a tougher time scoring. Evans has to get the ball to receivers Steven Rogers and Tanis Maynor to have a chance to win. For the Wolfpack, much of the preseason buzz has concerned new quarterback Brooks Robinson. The junior threw six touchdown passes in a recent scrimmage against Richmond Academy. While the Knights are stronger than ARC, I still give Greenbrier the edge this Friday at the Brierpatch.
Greenbrier's Brooks Robinson breaks away from Richmond Academy's Justin Williams for a long gain during a scrimmage at the Briarpatch.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Greenbrier 23, Evans 13
Westside at Lakeside: The Panthers will have their paws full Friday night, because Westside is one of the top high school teams in the area, in any classification. Fullback Aundra Ellison (6-0, 230) and defensive back/wide receiver Tony LeZotte (6-2, 190) both are big-time college prospects. Meanwhile, Lakeside coach Randy Hill must replace more than 20 key players from last year's squad. There is no doubt that Hill will have his team ready to play, but Lakeside is overmatched this week.
Westside 31, Lakeside 16
Harlem at Aquinas: Harlem coach Jimmie Lewis leads some of the area's premier skill-position players, including elusive back Kelvin Sturgis. The Bulldogs offensive line is a question mark, but not this week - Aquinas lost a couple of top players, who decided to transfer to North Augusta. The big loss was Walter Utley, who rushed for more than 1,400 yards last season. The Irish will have a tough time running with the Big Dogs Friday night.
Harlem 41, Aquinas 7
Augusta Christian at Tattnall Square Academy: The Lions got new head coach Bruce Lane off to a good start last week, rolling to a 45-13 blowout of Briarwood Friday at Pride Valley. AC avenged last year's 7-6 loss to the Buccaneers, as junior tailback Cole Rabun rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns. Augusta Christian will have a much tougher time this week at Tattnall Square Academy in Macon. AC will tangle Friday with the defending Class AAA Georgia Independent Schools Association state champion. The Trojans are gunning for a ninth state title this fall, and coach Barney Hester's crew opened with a 61-30 thumping of Central Fellowship last week. Fullback Justin Massey led Tattnall with 123 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. AC won't back down, though. This should be a war, but home-field advantage will be the difference.
Tattnall Square Academy 34, Augusta Christian 29