Expect rout by Lakeside

Last Week: 6-0

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Year to Date: 31-6

Evans (6-1, 5-1) at Hephzibah (6-1, 6-0)

Last week: Evans beat Josey 34-0; Hephzibah beat Harlem 53-7.

Last meeting: Evans won 21-12 last season.

All-time: Evans leads the all-time series 19-6. (The Knights have given up eight or fewer points in 15 of the meetings.)

This is obviously a huge game. An Evans win likely would put the Knights in a three-way tie atop the region standings. However, like Lakeside, they have to travel to Hephzibah.

The Rebels struggled two weeks ago against Glenn Hills, but were sharp in a 46-point win against Harlem on Friday.

The key for Evans will be its offensive line. If they block well and can put a body on Hephzibah linebacker Bobby Liggins, the Knights should be able to get the victory. Liggins is a beast, so it will not be easy.

Evans 20, Hephzibah 17

Greenbrier (2-5, 1-3) vs. M. L. King (6-1, 3-1)

Last week: Greenbrier lost to Newton 39-0; M.L. King lost to Stephenson 20-0.

Last meeting: M.L. King won last year's game 42-14.

M.L. King is coming off its first loss of the season, a 20-0 decision to region foe Stephenson in front of a national television audience on ESPNU. Before the loss, MLK had given up only 29 points all season, outscoring opponents 167-29.

That's not good news for a Greenbrier offense that has managed just 54 points in its previous seven games and scored more than seven points only once all season. If Greenbrier wants to keep it close, it must slow down tailback Mack Brown, who has committed to play for the University of Florida.

M. L. King 41, Greenbrier 7

Harlem (1-6, 1-5) vs. Butler (0-7, 0-6)

Last week: Harlem lost to Hephzibah 53-7; Butler lost to Westside 21-6.

Last meeting: Harlem won last year 50-12.

All-time: Harlem leads the series 4-1. (The schools did not meet before 2004.)

Harlem has struggled this year, but Butler takes struggling to another level. Butler has not won a game since 2005, dropping 38 games in a row since its last victory. I do not think Jimmie Lewis wants to help them end the streak this week.

Harlem 27, Butler 12

Lakeside (6-1, 5-1) at Westside (4-3, 3-3)

Last week: Lakeside blasted Cross Creek 42-12; Westside beat Butler 21-6.

Last meeting: Lakeside won 41-13.

All-time: Lakeside leads the series 7-6, including four in a row.

The Patriots have a winning record, but their wins are over Cross Creek, Butler, Josey and Aquinas. They have been outscored 107-34 in their losses to Evans, Hephzibah and Richmond Academy. The Panthers are well on their way to a school record for wins in a single season and have one of the stingiest defenses in the area, yielding only 39 points all season. Lakeside should have no trouble in this one.

Lakeside 41, Westside 10

Augusta Christian (4-5) at Pinewood Prep

Last week: Augusta Christian beat Cardinal Newman 27-6.

The Lions have not had a "Lions-type" season, but hang in there, fans. This is a young group, and they will continue to get better. They are coming off a solid win last week over Cardinal Newman and should be able to make it two in a row.

ACS 27, Pinewood Prep 19