Evans has bitter history with Effingham County
Last Week: 5-1
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Season Total: 25-11
Belated thanks to the Georgia Football Historians Web site, www.ghsfha.org, which has been a useful source of information on past matchups.
Evans (5-2, 2-1) vs. Effingham County (5-3, 3-1)
Last week: Evans knocked off Statesboro 20-15; Effingham County beat Greenbrier 14-7.
Last meeting: Evans won 34-28 in overtime.
All-time: Evans leads 7-4; Effingham got one win by forfeit.
Evans has scored an average of 22 points per game and allowed 13.6. Effingham County has scored 18.6 and allowed 19.
In case you have forgotten (I doubt any Evans fans have), 23 years ago Evans defeated Effingham County 12-10 in the Class AAAA state quarterfinals.
However, Evans lost the game after a protest by Effingham County and a ruling by the Georgia High School Association.
During the game, the Evans quarterback had an audio receiver in his helmet that was used to send in plays.
After becoming aware of the receiver, officials flagged Evans for using illegal equipment.
The rule book called for a 15-yard penalty and loss of down. However, after the protest and a controversial meeting at GHSA headquarters, Evans was forced to forfeit the game.
Add to the history the fact that Evans is coming off a huge road win against Statesboro and have put themselves in position to make the post-season. In other words, this is a biggie for the Knights.
By the way, in that 1987 game, Evans' coach was Coley Cassedy and its quarterback was Craig Cassedy. They are the grandfather and uncle of current Knights quarterback Glen Cassedy.
Evans 23, Effingham County 17
Greenbrier (2-5, 1-2) vs. South Effingham (2-6, 0-4)
Last week: Greenbrier lost to Effingham County; South Effingham lost to Lakeside 21-14.
Last meeting: This will be their first meeting.
Greenbrier has scored 14.1 points per game and allowed 22; South Effingham has scored 16.5 and allowed 27.5.
The Wolfpack played Effingham County very tough, and the defense has looked great of late. They should be able to get the win here.
Greenbrier 19; South Effingham 14
Grovetown (4-3, 3-0) at Richmond Academy (4-3, 2-1)
Last week: Grovetown defeated Josey 38-26; Richmond Academy defeated Harlem 44-6.
Last meeting : This will be their first meeting.
Grovetown has scored 29.6 points per game and allowed 15.9. Richmond Academy has scored 22.9 and allowed 18.4.
Grovetown has one of the area's more prolific offenses. Lately, they have gotten a shot in the arm from senior D.J. Tyson.
He followed up his 200-yard rushing effort with 175 yards in the Warriors' 38-26 win over Josey.
Grovetown will have to slow down dual-threat quarterback Drek Reid in order to knock off the Musketeers.
Grovetown 38, Richmond Academy 34
Harlem (1-6, 0-3) vs. Westside (1-6, 0-3)
Last week: Harlem lost to Richmond Academy 44-6; Westside fell to Thomson 35-0.
Last meeting: Harlem won 27-13 last year.
All-time: The series is tied 4-4.
Harlem has scored 5.3 points per game and allowed 32.4. Westside has scored 6.7 and allowed 41.
Harlem and Westside have had tough seasons, but keep in mind that both should be in Class AA but are playing up in AAA against much bigger schools.
This one is a battle of the two of the lowest-scoring teams in the area. Westside also has had trouble stopping the opposition, yielding an area-high 41 points per game. Harlem should get their second victory this week.
Harlem 20, Westside 7
Augusta Christian (5-3) vs. Pinewood Prep (3-5)
Last week: Augusta Christian won 21-20 over Orangeburg Prep; Pinewood beat Heathwood Hall 14-11.
Last meeting: Augusta Christian won 20-14 last year.
The Lions continue to play well. They have won four of their past five games, and that trend should continue.
Augusta Christian 27, Pinewood Prep 16