Lions have hands full against perennial power

Last Week: 4-2

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Season Total: 36-16

Aug. Christian (7-4) at Hammond (11-0)

Last week: Augusta Christian defeated Ben Lippen 9-7. Hammond beat Pinewood Prep 41-0.

Last meeting: Hammond topped the Lions 35-0 on Oct. 29.

Augusta Christian has scored an average of 25.5 points per game and allowed 23. Hammond has scored 38.1 and allowed 7.5.

The Lions avenged a loss from earlier this season by knocking off Ben Lippen. Unlike most of its wins this season, Augusta Christian did not use a high-powered offense to get the victory. Instead, the Lions used a smothering defense to slow down a team that put up 40 points on them in September.

The Lions will need an even better defensive performance this week as they face Hammond for a second time this season. Hammond blanked Augusta Christian 35-0 earlier this season. The Skyhawks also posted their fifth shutout of the season last week in their first-round victory over Pinewood Prep, 41-0.

Hammond appears to be on its way to a fifth consecutive SCISA football crown. The Skyhawks are 11-0 and have outscored the opposition 419-82, including 118-0 in their past three contests.

To pull the huge upset, Augusta Christian is going to need to win the turnover battle and get a special teams or defensive score (a Matt Rogers return would be nice).

Good luck to Keith Walton and his team to get the Columbia County banner waving. Seven wins and the second round of the playoffs for a team with a sophomore quarterback and a freshman as one of its top running backs is nothing to be ashamed of. Unfortunately, I think Hammond will be a little too much this week.

Hammond 34; Augusta Christian 17

On Sunday, I will have a report card for each Columbia County team. Also, we will begin to assemble the All-County Team and post-season honors. Feel free to e-mail your input to me at ab@wrdwam.com.