Matchups are getting tougher

Columbia County's high school football fans are in for a treat this Halloween, as the prep slate in packed with interesting action. The trick is picking the winners and losers in the Friday contests, which promise to be very competitive.

Augusta Christian (8-1) at George Walton (9-0): What a matchup to end the regular season, as AC visits unbeaten George Walton in Monroe. The Bulldogs have yielded more than 14 points only once this season, and that was in a 42-20 victory over Brentwood. I saw Augusta Christian play Brentwood earlier this season at Pride Valley, and if coach Bruce Lane had not called off the Lions, AC could have scored 80 points. George Walton won't be unbeaten after Friday night.

Augusta Christian 24, George Walton 20

Stephenson (6-1) at Evans (3-4): Both teams were off last week, so they've had plenty of time to prepare for the Region 7-AAAAA contest at Blanchard Stadium. Last year Stephenson had one of the most talented teams in recent state history; quarterback Reggie Ball is now starting at Georgia Tech, tailback Kregg Lumpkin is seeing plenty of action at University of Georgia, and receiver T.J. Gartrell is a redshirt in Athens. Despite losing that kind of talent, the Jaguars are still a very good squad. The Knights are on a three-game win streak, which is nice, but the fun is over this week. Since Stephenson's 17-13 loss to Southwest DeKalb, the Jags have outscored their opponents 140-18 in four wins.

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Stephenson 37, Evans 10

Thomson (7-1) at Greenbrier (7-1): The Bulldogs visit the Brierpatch with the Region 3-AAAA championship on the line. Thomson has outscored its opponents 235-42 during a current seven-game winning streak, which is an average win of 34-6. The Wolfpack can lock up a playoff spot by pulling off an upset, not to mention that a win would put the Pack in position to claim their first region football title. However, I've learned my lesson about picking against Thomson. But this battle will take place on Halloween night, so strange things could happen.

Thomson 21, Greenbrier 14

Hephzibah (4-3) at Lakeside (3-4): The Rebels must win to keep their faint playoff hopes alive, and Hephzibah's coaching staff was doing its homework last week by scouting Lakeside's game with Butler. The Panthers lost that game, and it seems that Lakeside is a few breaks away from being in the playoff race in Region 3-AAAA. Now Lakeside is relegated to the role of spoiler. The Rebels have been banged up a bit, but they should be healthy enough to ruin Lakeside's homecoming.

Hephzibah 17, Lakeside 16