Knights' blowout keeps county from coming up empty

Last week: 3-2 Year to date: 7-3

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Evans High School not only has the best record in Columbia County at 3-0, but it also was the only county team to come home with a win Friday. The Knights are off this week after defeating Glenn Hills 49-13. They will play host to North Augusta on Sept. 24.

Here are this week's games:

Greenbrier (1-2) at Lincoln County (2-1)

Last week: Greenbrier lost a heartbreaker to Hephzibah 39-34; Lincoln County crushed Harlem 42-7.

All-time: The series is tied 1-1.

Last meeting: Greenbrier beat Lincoln County 36-16 in 2005.

The Red Devils arguably have the best program in Georgia. They own an astonishing 446-86-4 all-time record, with 35 region titles and 14 state championships.

The Wolfpack have been involved in three terrific games this season, but they will have their hands full with a solid Lincoln County squad. The Red Devils opened with a tough 24-21 loss to a good Abbeville, S.C., team but bounced back with a pair of blowout wins. Greenbrier will need to stop the Red Devils' ground attack, while the 'Pack have shown they can put the ball in the air.

Lincoln County 28, Greenbrier 20

Grovetown (0-2) vs. Cross Creek (0-2)

Last week: Both teams were idle last week.

All-time: This will be the first meeting between the schools.

Grovetown has lost a pair of heartbreakers to Columbia County rivals, while Cross Creek has lost by an average of 12.5 points per game to Josey and Westside. The Warriors should be able to get their first win of 2010.

Grovetown 30, Cross Creek 13

Harlem (0-2) vs. Butler (2-0)

Last week: Harlem lost to Lincoln County 42-7; Butler was idle.

All-time: Harlem leads 5-1.

Last meeting: Harlem won 34-14.

Butler entered the season having endured four consecutive 0-10 seasons and were just 2-48 over the past five campaigns. However, new coach Ashley Harden has the team playing good football. Butler is 2-0 with a pair of shutout wins. They trounced Westside 42-0, then took care of Twiggs County 22-0.

I do not know whether they can continue to win by an average of 32 points per game, but this Butler squad is pretty darn good.

Butler 33, Harlem 13

Lakeside (1-2) vs. Northside-Warner Robins (2-0)

Last week: Lakeside lost to North Augusta 34-7; Northside was idle.

All-time: Northside leads 4-1.

Last meeting: Northside knocked off Lakeside 42-13 in 1997.

Lakeside is in a tough situation. It has a brutal early schedule, coupled with a pair of key injuries. The Panthers still nearly pulled out a win at Thomson, but they could not stop the potent North Augusta offense.

It won't get any easier this week. Northside-Warner Robins has a 148-16 record since 1998, including state titles in 2006 and 2007. This year, Northside has won its two games by a combined 93-0.

Northside-Warner Robins 38, Lakeside 13

Augusta Christian (1-2) at Laurence Manning (4-0)

Last week: Augusta Christian lost a wild game with Ben Lippen 40-34; Laurence Manning stayed unbeaten with a 28-10 win over Pinewood Prep.

Last meeting: Laurence Manning knocked off the Lions 13-9 last year.

The Lions are averaging 29.7 points per game but have dropped a pair of early games. Laurence Manning is trying to keep a perfect record intact and is playing on its home turf.

Laurence Manning 34, Augusta Christian 28