Rivalry game has major post season implications

Last week's picks: 3-2

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Season total: 28-13

Evans (5-3, 2-2) vs. Lakeside (3-5, 2-2)

Last week: Evans lost to Effingham County 38-31. Lakeside was idle.

Last meeting: Lakeside shut out Evans 17-0 last year.

All-time: Evans leads 13-4.

Evans has scored an average of 23.1 points per game and allowed 16.9. Lakeside has scored 18.5 and allowed 18.5.

This is a huge rivalry game, and the winner locks up a spot in a play-in game.

The question is, which Evans team will show up: the one that beat Statesboro on the road or the one that managed only six points in a loss to Greenbrier?

This is the GHSA Network Game of the Week on Comcast. The game will air Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on Comcast Channel 4. It will also be available On Demand. Go to Channel 1, select "Get Local," then pick GHSA Network.

Evans 20, Lakeside 19

Greenbrier (3-5, 2-2) at Statesboro (6-2, 3-1)

Last week: Greenbrier beat South Effingham 10-0. Statesboro was idle.

Last meeting: Statesboro won 40-10 in 2007.

All-time: Statesboro leads 9-1.

Greenbrier has scored 13.6 points per game and allowed 19.3. Statesboro has scored 21.9 and allowed 18.5.

The Wolfpack will be pulling hard for Lakeside this week. With a victory by the Panthers, Greenbrier will get into a region play-in game.

Obviously, they can help their cause with a victory over Statesboro.

However, the Blue Devils are playing for a home game in the region play-in and the top seed. They also had last week off to stew over their home loss to Evans.

Statesboro 24, Greenbrier 14

Grovetown (4-4, 3-1) vs. Thomson (7-1, 4-0)

Last week: Grovetown lost to Richmond Academy 31-7. Thomson beat Josey 42-9.

Last meeting: This the first meeting.

Grovetown has scored 26.8 points per game and allowed 17.8. Thomson has scored 29.5 and allowed 8.

Grovetown had a rough game last week against Richmond Academy. The Warriors came out flat and could not stop the Musketeers' talented duo of quarterback Drek Reid and wide receiver Don Quarles.

Thomson is a talented bunch, but they do not pose the passing threat that Richmond Academy did. I think Grovetown will be able to keep this one close.

Thomson 31, Grovetown 24

Harlem (2-6, 1-3) at Josey (3-5, 1-3)

Last week: Harlem beat Westside 33-13. Josey led 9-6 at halftime before losing to Thomson 42-9.

Last meeting: Harlem won 20-7 last season.

All-time: Harlem leads 6-4.

Harlem has scored 7.5 points per game and allowed 30. Josey has scored 19 points per game and allowed 32.9.

This is a matchup of two of the worst defenses in the area. Josey is giving up nearly 33 points per game, but that number is inflated because it has played two of the best offenses in the area in Laney and Burke County this season.

Harlem scored 33 points in its win over Westside.

That was more than the Bulldogs had scored in their previous seven games combined.

Josey 33, Harlem 20

Augusta Christian (6-3) at Hammond (9-0)

Last week: Augusta Christian defeated Pinewood Prep 34-0. Hammond rolled past Heathwood Hall 42-0.

Last meeting: Hammond won a 42-0 shutout in 2008.

Augusta Christian has scored 27.1 points per game and allowed 20.7. Hammond has scored 38.1 and allowed 9.2.

Hammond is the four-time defending state South Carolina Independent Schools Association Class AAA champions and stands at 9-0. The Skyhawks have won their nine games by an average of 29 points per game.

In other words, Augusta Christian will have its hands full.

Hammond 41; Augusta Christian 23