Two squads go to playoffs
Football season ended for two Columbia County teams last weekend while two other squads ensured their seasons would continue at least to the state playoffs.
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Augusta Christian kicked off the 2007 postseason with a SCISA Class AAA first-round state playoff win over Pinewood Prep. Evans solidified its spot in the state playoffs with a region win at Glynn Academy.
Greenbrier and Lakeside didn't qualify for the state playoffs and their seasons came to an end last weekend. Although Harlem won Friday, they were still eliminated from state playoff contention and will wrap up the season Friday with homecoming.
Greenbrier 21,
Wayne County 7
The 2007 season ended on a good note for Greenbrier. The varsity squad traveled to Wayne County on Friday and grabbed a 21-7 victory.
Senior quarterback Nick Richards led the entire area with 280 yards of total offense by completing 16 of his 29 passes. He threw touchdown strikes to T.D. Davis and Salonick Amos in the 14-point victory, while Taylor Johnston scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
In Scott Chadwick's second year as head coach, Greenbrier finished at .500 for the first time in four years. Chadwick said it's not exactly a point of pride, but it was a start.
"We did make some progress. I guess we can take solace in the fact that we did improve," he said. "I don't think you can be satisfied with 5-5."
Greenbrier's 5-5 record included a 4-5 mark in Region 3-AAAA play. The Wolfpack finished in seventh place in the 10-team region.
Harlem 34, Butler 8
Harlem rolled to its biggest win of the season Friday with a 26-point victory at Butler. Tailbacks Seth Hill and Trey Crain each scored twice in the win to improve the Bulldogs to 3-6 on the year and 2-2 in Region 3B-AAA play.
Even with the win, Harlem's hopes of a state playoff bid died when Glenn Hills lost to Washington County. Harlem could still finish in a tie for second place in the Region 3B-AAA standings with Washington County, but the Golden Hawks own the head-to-head tie breaker.
The Bulldogs will next play host to Cross Creek on homecoming for their final game of the season. Harlem head coach Jimmie Lewis said starting quarterback Wesley Morris will most likely not play Friday after spraining his medialcollateral ligament (MCL) in the Butler game.
Lewis said Carlos Beard, Harlem's original starting quarterback who sat out most of the year with an injury hand, will return to the quarterback spot at full strength Friday.
Though Harlem's season ends Friday, the Bulldogs hold the fate of Cross Creek and Washington County in their hands. If Harlem beats Cross Creek, Washington County will go to the state playoffs. If Harlem loses, Cross Creek will go to the playoffs.
Effingham County 7, Lakeside 0
Lakeside, playing on the road in its final game of the season, came up short in a 7-0 loss at Effingham County. The Panthers drove inside Effingham County's five yard line twice in the game but came up empty both times.
In his first year as head coach, Lakeside's Jody Grooms led the Panthers to a 3-7 overall record and 2-7 region record. Both marks are an improvement over last season's 2-8 overall record and 1-8 region record.