Teams get prepared for season's stretch run

Ah, October. The 10th month of the year with a prefix that means "eight" is upon us once again. In the high school sports realm, this month is a time for playoffs in volleyball and softball. For our local football teams, those with legitimate playoff hopes are separated from the also-rans.

Here's a look at the best October has to offer in Columbia County:

Tuesday

Harlem softball's senior night couldn't have been coupled with a bigger game. Cross Creek (No. 2 in the subregion) will come to town to face subregion No. 1 Harlem with a region tournament top seed on the line.

Wednesday

Speaking of softball, the Region 3-AAAA Tournament Championship will take place on a Wednesday afternoon and will determine seeding for the state sectionals. Will Greenbrier claim its 11th consecutive region title, or will another team finally knock off the queens of the diamond?

Friday

Harlem's football team will play host to Glenn Hills in a Region 3-AAA contest. At the same time, the rest of the county will hit the road, including long road trips for Greenbrier (at Brunswick) and Lakeside (at Ware County).

Oct. 17

Two big sporting events in the county will take place on the same day. The Region 3-AAAA Volleyball Tournament will wrap up with the finals at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, Augusta Prep's soccer team will open the GISA Class AAA state playoffs with a home game.

Oct. 20

Augusta Christian's senior night with rival Heathwood Hall coming to town will set the tone for the Lions' final regular-season football game of the year.

Oct. 21

The county's public school cross country teams will meet in Harlem for the annual Columbia County Invitational. For Greenbrier, Lakeside and Evans, it will offer a good look at the competition just before the region meet Nov. 4.

Oct. 26

The battle for The Columbia County News-Times County Cup will be waged with the prize going to the junior varsity football team that wins this Thursday night contest. Lakeside owns the trophy after winning last year's title. Which team of the future will become this year's County Cup champions?

Oct. 27

Harlem's football team gets its toughest test of the season when nearby rival Thomson comes to town. Greenbrier, Evans and Lakeside will all make long road trips to the Georgia coast.