Young pack poised to win three straight

Ashley Brown's high school football picks.

Last week: 4-0

Overall: 13-1

There are four games on the prep slate Friday night, but only one county team will be at home. Also, Lakeside (which is still searching for its first win), will face the state's premier Class AAAA team at Thomson.

We're coming off a 4-0 week, so let's see if we can keep the streak going.

Evans at Tri-Cities: It will be a tough trip to East Point, Ga., for Evans. Tri-Cities has a 3-0 record, and the Bulldogs have an average victory margin of 25.6 points.

On defense, the Dogs have allowed only 24 points in their three victories, two of which came against quality opponents Lithonia and Westlake.

Bottom line - Tri-Cities could challenge Stephenson for the top spot in Region 7-AAAAA, and the Knights won't get in the way Friday night.

Tri-Cities 37, Evans 17

Butler at Greenbrier: It's hard to call the second region game of the season a must-win for the Wolfpack, but the Friday night battle with Butler at the Brierpatch might qualify.

Why? Because Greenbrier is about to start a stretch with region foes Butler, Hephzibah and Cross Creek, three Region 3-AAAA contests the Pack is favored to win.

With region games against Jones County, Burke County, Thomson and Statesboro down the stretch, the Pack's playoff hopes will hinge on a quick start.

Expect Greenbrier to do just that. The young Pack has been impressive, especially sophomore tailback Orlando Pollard.

Greenbrier 27, Butler 13

Lakeside at Thomson: This one's an easy pick - Lakeside is 0-3, while Thomson is unbeaten and is easily the best Class AAAA team in the state.

The Thomson arsenal includes linebacker Danny Verdun, who is being courted by Auburn and Georgia, and still may be the most underrated prep player in the South. On offense, quarterback Deon Palmer, fullback Antwan Johnson and tailback Demarco McNair form an unstoppable ground attack.

Thomson 38, Lakeside 17

Augusta Christian at First Presbyterian Day: The Lions and first-year coach Bruce Lane are off to a 4-1 start, but the team faces a stern test this week in Macon.

FPD features Patrick Jackson, one of the top quarterbacks in the Georgia Independent Schools Association. The Vikings head into Friday's game with a 3-1 record, with the only loss coming to unbeaten Deerfield Windsor.

This will be a real challenge for Augusta Christian, but look for the Lions to improve to 5-1.

Augusta Christian 28, First Presbyterian Day 24