Top players show off in first week of football
Lee Banks (ACS) - Banks engineered a potent Lion attack that put 49 points on the board. He ran for 126 yards and two TDs on just five carries, while completing five of six passes for 102 yards including a 61-yard touchdown to Josh Whitaker.
Barry St. John (Harlem) - While the Evans Knights, like most everyone, felt like Harlem quarterback Brendon Gray was the main player to key in on when playing the Bulldogs, St. John was busy piling up yards and eating up the clock in the season opener. The Harlem fullback ended the game with more than 100 yards on the ground (90 in the second half). His performance helped Harlem post one of the biggest wins in Jimmie Lewis' career.
Lakeside's Defense - You're probably thinking: Didn't Lakeside lose its opener? Yes, they did, but it was not from the performance of the defense. Lakeside was playing one of the better teams in the area (Washington-Wilkes), turned the ball over a whopping five times, and had little offense to speak of, but still held the Tigers and their impressive ground attack to just 20 points. Also, the defense produced Lakeside's only touchdown, as Chris Drayton returned a blocked field goal 75 yards for a score.
Dillon Quick & Jordan Yates (ACS) - This duo was a key reason the Lions were able to cruise to a 35-point victory. Quick, who missed several weeks in the pre-season because of an illness, came back just in time to post nine tackles in the contest. And Yates also turned in a big performance. He racked up six tackles and two sacks for ACS.
Lakeside defensive back Jay Krenz blindsides Washington-Wilkes quarterback Clete Wilson during the Friday game at Lakeside Stadium, with containment help from linebacker Paul Miller. Despite tough defensive play from the Panthers, Washington-Wilkes defeated Lakeside 20-10.
Photo by Barry Paschal
Week 2 Predictions
Evans at Jefferson County
The Knights are probably still smarting after losing their opener to Harlem. Evans did have a few bright spots in the loss. Sophomore quarterback Kevin Millward was 5-7 passing during the Knights' final drive of the game. Evans must shore up the run defense that saw Harlem average nearly 5 yards per carry on Friday night. Expect Jefferson County to try to play keep-away from Evans as well. However, Harlem is up this year, while Jefferson County is down. I think the Knights will bounce back
Evans 20 Jefferson Co. 14
Greenbrier at Morgan Co.
The Wolfpack were off last week so they will open their season Friday.
They jump straight into a pressure cooker playing a very good Morgan County team. Last week Morgan hammered Jones County 47-12. They won't have such an easy time with Greenbrier, but I think they will get a victory.
Morgan County 26 Greenbrier 20
Lakeside at Westside
The Panthers had a tough time moving the football in their opener vs. Washington-Wilkes, but the Tigers are, or should be, one of the area's better teams this season.
Westside picked up a win in week one, 7-0 over ARC.
This week will be a defensive battle, but I think Lakeside will pull it out.
Lakeside 17 Westside 14
Harlem vs. Hancock Central
Harlem could not have asked for a better start to the 2005 season. The Bulldogs beat archrival Evans 13-7. This, after Evans pounded Harlem by 28 points last season.
Harlem could be one of the really good stories in the area this year. However, Hancock Central also picked up a big win in Week 1, knocking off Wilkinson Co. 32-6. I'm going with the Bulldogs in this one.
Harlem 27 Hancock Central 23
Augusta Christian vs. Richard Winn
The Lions were quite impressive in a 49-13 rout of Colleton Prep. QB Lee Banks ran and threw for more than 100 yards in the victory.
This week the Lions square off with Richard Winn. This will be a better test, but I still like the Lions. ACS could be a state title contender this season.
Augusta Christian 34 Richard Winn 13