Prep football previews
Augusta Christian (8-1)
In the region: Augusta Christian is a perfect 3-0 in SCISA's Region 1-AAA standings with wins over Ben Lippen, Cardinal Newman and Heathwood Hall.
Last week: Augusta Christian shoved the ball down Heathwood Hall's throat 64 times for 237 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The Lions beat Heathwood Hall for the first time in school history with a 14-7 win.
This week: at Hammond (9-0)
The past: The series is split at 1-1. Hammond beat the Lions 28-7 in 2004, but Augusta Christian found revenge last year with a 42-34 win at home.
The matchup: Augusta Christian's pass defense vs. Heathwood Hall's Punky DaSilva. DaSilva has been touted as the best quarterback in all of SCISA. The senior threw for 194 yards and three touchdowns in the first half of last week's 42-14 win over Ben Lippen. If Lion senior cornerback Will Wright doesn't fully recover from a hamstring injury this week, Augusta Christian will once again have to rely on back ups to stop DaSilva.
The story: Hammond (SCISA No. 1) faces Augusta Christian (SCISA No. 2) to determine the top team heading into the state playoffs.
Evans Knights (3-4)
In the region: The Knights, with a 2-4 region record, are the only Columbia County team that still has a chance at making the Class AAAA state playoffs. Evans would have to win out and have Ware County lose the rest of its games to claim the No. 4 seed.
Last week: Evans fell for the fourth time in five games with a 21-19 loss to Brunswick. Evans quarterback Kevin Millward found Trey Henderson twice in the end zone and Jonathan Nicely once and completed 10 of 18 passes for 212 yards in the loss.
This week: at Ware County (5-2)
The past: Friday's game will be the first meeting between the two schools.
The matchup: Evans' defense vs. Ware County's offense. The Gators from Waycross, Ga. are averaging more than 27 points per game while the Knight defense has surrendered three touchdowns per game.
The story: This Region 3-AAAA matchup could be the start of a late playoff push for Evans or the end to the dream of a state playoff bid.
Greenbrier Wolfpack (3-5)
In the region: The Wolfpack sit with a 3-4 region record and could, at best, tie for fourth place in the region standings at the end of the year. However, Greenbrier doesn't hold the head-to-head tie breaker in any of those potential ties.
Last week: Greenbrier fell 34-7 to Ware County thanks to five interceptions and a fumble. Greenbrier's Brad Coody scored the team's lone touchdown, but the Wolfpack defense gave up 272 yards of total offense.
This week: at Glynn Academy (4-3)
The past: Friday's game will be the first meeting between the two schools.
The matchup: Greenbrier's offense vs. Glynn Academy's defense. The Red Terrors have allowed only six points in their past two games. Despite three straight losses, the Wolfpack have averaged more than two touchdowns per game.
The story: Glynn Academy, at fifth place in the region standings, needs every win it can get to earn a state playoff bid. Greenbrier could play the role of road-team spoiler with a win in Brunswick.
Harlem Bulldogs (2-5)
In the region: The Bulldogs are 1-1 in Region 3-AAA play with a win over Glenn Hills and loss to Washington County.
Last week: The Bulldogs dropped their first region loss of the season to Washington County. Harlem's offense scored 26 points, but the defense gave up 40 points in the road loss.
This week: vs. Thomson (7-0)
The past: Dating back to 1960, the battle of the Bulldogs is in Thomson's favor with a 9-4-1 Thomson record. The last meeting was a 46-7 Thomson win at Harlem last year.
The matchup: Harlem's desperation vs. Thomson's win streak.
Harlem must win this game to stay in the chase for a playoff spot. Thomson's Bulldogs would love to keep their undefeated streak in tact.
The story: Harlem could lose every other game this year, but a win against Thomson would automatically put a stamp of approval on Harlem's 2006 season.
Lakeside Panthers (2-6)
In the region: Lakeside's 1-6 region record puts the Panthers in ninth place in the Region 3-AAAA standings and out of the playoff chase.
Last week: The Panthers fell to Glynn Academy 40-0.
This week: at Wayne County (0-7)
The past: Wayne County has knocked off Lakeside in the two times the teams have previously met including last season's 27-6 Yellowjackets win.
The matchup: Lakeside's hunger for a win vs. Wayne County's hunger for a win. Neither team has won a game in more than a month.
The story: Wayne County knows this is the best chance they have at preventing a winless season. Lakeside knows a loss would put them at the very bottom of the region standings.