Panthers' loss tough to take, despite my pick

We are coming off a 4-1 weekend. I would have preferred to go 3-2 and have Lakeside High School hold on against Thomson. Give the Panthers a lot of credit; they played a solid team, in a tough atmosphere, with some key players injured.

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My Thomson pick was not a knock on the Panthers. I just knew, based on Thomson's brutal schedule last season, that it was better than a 2-8 team. I also have been to "The Brickyard" many times and know how tough it is to win there.

Also, what a game between Evans and Grovetown. The Warriors are 0-2, but they are proving they can play with anyone in the county.

Here are this week's games:

Evans (2-0) vs. Glenn Hills (0-1)

Last week: Evans beat Grovetown 23-19; Glenn Hills was idle.

All-time: Glenn Hills leads 6-4 but is 0-3 since 1976.

Last meeting: Evans won 34-18 last season.

The Knights have squeaked past their first two opponents. They should have a little easier time this week.

Evans 27, Glenn Hills 9

Greenbrier (1-1) vs. Hephzibah (0-1)

Last week: Greenbrier lost to Richmond Academy 28-21; Hephzibah was off.

All-time: Greenbrier leads 4-2

Last meeting: Hephzibah won 9-7 in 2003.

Greenbrier had the lead against Richmond Academy but let it slip away. I think they will hold on this week.

Greenbrier 24, Hephzibah 13

Harlem (0-1) vs. Lincoln County (1-1)

Last week: Lincoln County crushed McCormick 42-13; Harlem was blanked 25-0 by Warren County

All-time: Lincoln County leads 13-7, but Harlem has not won since 1981.

Last meeting: Lincoln County won 24-7 in 2007.

Lincoln County got its offense on track last week. They might not have the all-out speed of Warren County at quarterback and tailback, but they are still a formidable opponent.

Lincoln County 31, Harlem 7

Lakeside (1-1) at North Augusta (2-0)

Last week: The Panthers lost a heartbreaker to Thomson; North Augusta had little trouble beating Dutch Fork 38-28.

All-time: The teams have met twice. Lakeside won 21-20 in 2000; North Augusta won 40-33 in 2001.

The Panthers will have their hands full with the area's most dynamic player, quarterback Loranzo Hammonds. Last season, his first as a starter, Hammonds rushed for more than 1,000 yards and passed for more than 2,000 as he led the Jackets to a 11-2 mark. More impressive was his 30-4 touchdown pass to interception rate.

The Panthers will have to limit his big plays but not lose track of talented running back Demarcus Rouse if they want to earn the victory.

Once again, this pick isn't a knock on a very good Panther team; they just play an extremely tough early season schedule.

North Augusta 27, Lakeside 20

Augusta Christian (1-1) vs. Ben Lippen (2-0)

Last week: Augusta Christian pounded Cardinal Newman 34-3; Ben Lippen romped past Pinewood Prep 42-7

Last meeting: Ben Lippen won 42-20 last season.

Ben Lippen 34, Augusta Christian 23