Season filled with twists has made predictions tough
This week: 3-2
//
Season total: 20-10
I predicted in the preseason that this would be an extremely tough year to pick games correctly, and that is one prediction I got right.
Greenbrier played some inspired football Friday and benefited from Evans' miscues to pull a big upset, winning 10-6. Lakeside let another one get away in the fourth quarter. The Panthers lost on last-second field goals to Thomson and Statesboro, then blew a 16-0 lead Friday in a loss to Effingham County.
Grovetown blasted Westside to improve to 3-3. Keep in mind that the Warriors led in the second half in close losses to Evans, Greenbrier and Butler. They are a few plays away from being 6-0.
EVANS (4-2) AT STATESBORO (6-1)
Last week: Evans lost to Greenbrier 10-6; Statesboro beat South Effingham 42-21.
All-time: Statesboro leads 9-1 in a series that dates back to 1968.
Last meeting: Evans won 10-7 in 2007.
Evans has scored 22.3 points per game and allowed 13.7. Statesboro has scored 22.6 and allowed 18.3.
This is a winnable game for Evans, but it cannot have the miscues it had in its loss to Greenbrier. Statesboro has a solid record, but this is not the dominant Blue Devils squad we have grown accustomed to. Still, I think Statesboro will win on their home turf.
Statesboro 27; Evans 21
GREENBRIER (2-4) AT EFFINGHAM COUNTY (4-3)
Last week: Greenbrier knocked off Evans 10-6; Effingham County beat Lakeside 27-23.
All-time: Effingham County leads 4-0.
Last meeting: Effingham County won 24-7 in 2007.
Greenbrier has scored 15.7 points per game and allowed 26.7. Effingham County has scored 19.2 points per game and allowed 20.7.
The Wolfpack got a huge win last week, and I really like what I have seen from running back Jahvon Hardrick, but they will need to play even better to win this week.
Effingham County 30, Greenbrier 23
GROVETOWN (3-3) VS. JOSEY (3-3)
Last week: Grovetown beat Westside 42-0; Josey lost to Richmond Academy 37-26.
All-time: This will be their first meeting.
Grovetown has scored 28.2 points per game and allowed 14.2. Josey has scored 19.5 and allowed 30.5.
Grovetown rolled last week thanks to a tremendous ground game. D.J. Tyson ran for 200 yards and a touchdown, while Jamal Cummings crossed the goal line five times. The Warriors should be able to score plenty against a Josey team that yields more than 30 points per game.
Grovetown 38, Josey 13
HARLEM (1-5) AT RICHMOND ACADEMY (3-3)
Last week: Harlem lost to Thomson 42-0; Richmond Academy beat Josey 37-26.
All-time: The series is tied at 6-6.
Last meeting: Richmond Academy won 34-0 last year.
Harlem has scored 5.1 points per game and allowed 30.5. Richmond Academy has scored 19.3 and allowed 20.5.
The Bulldogs simply do not have enough weapons offensively. The opening of Grovetown doomed the Bulldogs for a few years.
Richmond Academy 32, Harlem 10
LAKESIDE (2-5) AT SOUTH EFFINGHAM (2-5)
Last week: Lakeside lost to Effingham County 27-23; South Effingham got roughed up by Statesboro 42-21.
All-time: This will be their first meeting.
Lakeside has scored 18.1 points per game and allowed 19.1. South Effingham has scored 16.9 and allowed 28.4.
Between injuries and heartbreaking losses, 2010 has been a tough year for the Panthers. They should be able to get a victory this week.
Lakeside 28, South Effingham 16
AUGUSTA CHRISTIAN (4-3) AT ORANGEBURG PREP
Last week: Augusta Christian pounded Heathwood Hall 47-13.
Last meeting: Augusta Christian won 42-27.
The Lions offense was clicking in last week's win over Heathwood. Matt Rogers has emerged as a candidate for County Player of the Year.
Augusta Christian 37, Orangeburg Prep 13