Hometown teams face tough times this week

Here are my picks for this week's prep football games:

Evans (1-8, 1-5) at Wayne County (5-4, 3-3)

The Knights wrap up a rough season on the road at Wayne County. Their opponent has a stingy defense and has gotten better as the year has gone on.

Wayne County 24, Evans 10

Greenbrier (4-5, 3-3) at Statesboro (9-0, 6-0)

The Pack showed some big time heart last weekend, but this test will be much different. They are facing a Statesboro club that has given up only 49 points all season. Even if Greenbrier pulls the major shocker, with Wayne County playing Evans and Effingham County playing Jones County, the playoffs appear to be a major long shot.

Statesboro 34, Greenbrier 14

Lakeside (3-5, 2-4) at Baldwin (6-3,5-1)

The Panthers will have their hands full with a loaded Baldwin team. The Braves are athletic and big, so the match up appears to be more than Lakeside can handle.

Baldwin 31, Lakeside 13

Harlem (5-4, 3-2) at Hephzibah (2-7, 1-4)

The Bulldogs have had a terrific year and should be able to notch win number six on the road versus Hephzibah. The Rebels are weak stopping the run and that is a Harlem specialty.

Harlem 24, Hephzibah 16

ACS (8-1) at Robert E. Lee

The Lions are coming off a hard-fought win and cannot afford a letdown. I don't think Bruce Lane will allow that to happen, and they should go into the playoffs on a high note.

ACS 35, Robert E. Lee 13

Top performers

The Greenbrier Wolfpack

This team performed despite facing so much turmoil during the past few weeks.

Playing without the county's top player, Greenbrier got solid performances from Freddie Jones and Leshawn Butler to pound Jones County 35-6. I'm glad the team stepped up because Head Coach Mickey Derrick deserved that kind of effort. He is 100 percent class and there is not a more honorable man in coaching.

I just hope the fans remember that when Greenbrier's name is in the news, whether good or bad.