Ex-LHS coach, son on Duluth gridiron

Some of you may know that former Lakeside High School football coach Ed Koester is now an assistant football coach at Duluth High School, where he is in charge of the running backs.

Koester's son Klay was Lakeside's starting quarterback last season, and he has assumed the same role with the Wildcats this year.

Duluth lost its season opener 31-24 to Norcross last week, and Klay finished the game with 16 completions in 31 attempts, including a touchdown.

Meanwhile, Columbia County fans have three games to choose from this week, as Greenbrier High School has an open date. The Wolfpack is coming off a 31-17 loss to Westside High School, and will open the Region 3-AAAA schedule next week at Lakeside.

A.B.'s high school football picks

Record last week: 2-1. Overall: 6-1.

Lakeside at Evans: This is a big-time rivalry, and since the teams haven't met since the 1999 season, this Friday night's game should be a barn-burner at Blanchard Stadium. The fact that standout receiver Steven Rogers transferred from Lakeside to Evans this summer makes this matchup even more intriguing.

The keys for Evans - Can tailback Chang Ho put together another big ball game like he did in the season opener at Greenbrier (12 carries, 120 yards)? And, will the Knights find a way to get the ball to Rogers, who didn't record a reception in the 43-26 loss to the Wolfpack?

The keys for Lakeside - Can the Panthers exploit a suspect Evans defense? That's a big question mark, because Lakeside was shut out 20-0 by Westside two weeks ago in the season opener at Panther Stadium.

In a close game, home-field advantage should be the difference.

Evans 23, Lakeside 16

Harlem at Greene County: Last week, the Bulldogs lost a hard-fought battle to a tough Elbert County High School squad. This week won't be much easier. Greene County High School is coming off a dismal 1-8-1 season, but the Tigers have improved this year, as they showed by trouncing Richmond Academy 41-14 last week.

Look for Harlem High School to win by a touchdown.

Harlem 34, Greene County 27

John Milledge Academy at Augusta Christian: First-year AC coach Bruce Lane faces his alma mater this Friday at Pride Valley. Lane also was head coach for the Trojans, but he won't take it easy on his old team. His new team should improve its record to 3-1 with an easy win.

Augusta Christian 27, John Milledge Academy 16