Season has been marked by surprises

This week's picks:

Augusta Christian (2-2) vs. Heathwood Hall (4-0)

The Lions are finding the going tough in South Carolina Independent Schools Association play. It will not get any easier this week. Heathwood Hall is unbeaten and returns some of the premier players in SCISA from 2003. The Lions have not faced a team this season who can throw the ball as well as Heathwood. The Lions will need to create some turnovers. The team also has to have a huge home field boost if they are going to pick up the victory.

Heathwood Hall 27, Augusta Christian 16

Evans (3-1) vs. Jones Co. (2-2)

The Knights are off to a terrific start at 3-1. They have benefited from a favorable schedule, but all they can do is beat the teams on their schedule. They should be able to handle the Greyhounds this week, but this one could be tight. The Knights will need a few big plays from QB Brad Freeman, and their defense must play as well as it did against Laney if the Knights want to be celebrating Friday night.

Evans 24, Jones Co. 14

Greenbrier (0-4) vs. Lakeside (2-1-1)

I do not think anyone expected the Pack to be 0-4 at this point in the season. Injuries have ravaged Greenbrier, while Lakeside has been one of the surprise teams in the area. Their victory over Jefferson County served notice that Randy Hill's club is for real. Greenbrier will have a hard time scoring on a very good Lakeside defense. The Pack needs to get off to a hot start with a couple of big plays if they want to pull off the upset.

Lakeside 19, Greenbrier 10

Harlem (2-3) vs. Thomson (4-1)

Harlem has held its own this season. I must admit the team has surprised me (and I'm not alone). It will have a step up in competition this week. This is not the same Thomson team from the past three or four seasons, but they are still awfully good. Just ask Cross Creek, who took a 42-8 beating last week at the hands of Thomson. Harlem will have an extremely difficult time "betwixt the bricks" this Friday night.

Thomson 48, Harlem 14