1st Annual William Avery Invitational

Here is the schedule for the basketball tournament taking place this Saturday at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

Door open at 11a with games being played all day until 9pm.


12p-Augusta Eagles vs Fox Creek (SC)

1:30p-Evans vs Hephzibah

3p-Norcross vs Stephenson

4:30p-United Faith (NC) vs Central Park (ALA)

6p-Mill Creek vs Carver (ALA)

7:30p-Butler vs Greater Atlanta Christian

Bright Lights, Rivalry Games, and Bud Heavy-Metro Spirit 10-13

To mistakenly say it was just a rivalry game would mean you had not done your due diligence. Oh no. There was a lot more than just pride on the line during this year’s Greenbrier-Evans game. What was up for grabs was an outside shot at postseason play, with the victor not only getting their first region win, but also staying in the “sure, things might look over, but don’t go sleeping on ______!!” conversation that we relish in having over the next few months. Yes, that interchangeable phrase that’s as frustrating to as the mound of leaves slowly piling up in your backyard.

Rare are the times when you can battle your way back into playoff contention after starting 0-2 in region play. To catch enough breaks that late in the season, much less play in a sub-region where the standard bearers are as great (Statesboro) and as talented (Lakeside) as many in the state, you got a better shot at getting a job by #OccupyingWallStreet.

In the tightly contested matchup, we saw Greenbrier get multiple key stops against the Evans offense. No series of them more essential than the first four possessions of the second half, when Greenbrier’s defense only gave up one field goal.

The Wolfpack offense sputtered at times, but did get the ball into their playmakers (Jahvon Hardrick, Jeremy Harden, and Thomas Brown) hands enough to keep the Evans defense honest throughout the game. Evans had many opportunities to put the game away, but at times showed some immaturity that comes with having talented underclassman in game-changing positions for the first time.

Watching a strategic defensive battle where ball control and time of possession are essential is fun to watch. Man on man, three yards and a cloud of dust. Nothing flashy, just America’s game.

“To hell with exciting. I’d rather be drab as hell and win.” That’s how legendary Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes described his offensive philosophy.

Thankfully for the fans at the Lexington-North Augusta game last Friday, neither coach channeled their inner Woody Hayes.

It was one of the biggest games of the year and as the stadium lights brilliantly pierced through the fall night, the stars of the Palmetto state dazzled for all to see. Yellow Jacket quarterback Tyrell Hillary was 23 of 38 for 331 yards, with five touchdowns and one interception. All night he worked the Lexington defense, hitting his receivers, like Montez McGuire (8 catches 125 yards, 1 TD) and even connecting with stud running back Vinny Miller on a receiving touchdown to go along with his usual course load (32 carries 158 yards 2 TDs). Also in the mood for a good ole’ fashioned shootout, Lexington brought a six-shooter of their own.

Shaq Roland, the #1 ranked player in South Carolina—also a South Carolina commit—brought heat with his nine catch, 176 yard and three touchdown clinic from the wide receiver position to go along with his two carries for 32 yards and two touchdowns while running the rock.The Wildcats proved to be too much for the Yellow Jackets—though the game was decided late and did have a cloud of smoke surrounding the finish—and dealt them the first blow to their very promising season.


Games to Watch

Hephzibah @ Butler-Thursday- 7pm- TV: Digital 6.2, Knology/Atlantic Broadband 246, Comcast 380
Bulldogs look to get back on track after a big loss to Washington County last week.


South Effingham @ Lakeside-Friday-7:30
South Effingham ruined Evans’ homecoming a few weeks ago. Can they return to Augusta and deal the Panthers a loss?


Eau Claire @ Strom Thurmond-Friday-7:30
Three more wins and the Rebels have an undefeated regular season. Don’t slip now!


College/NFL Games to Watch

No. 20 Baylor @ No. 21 Texas A&M- Saturday-12pm-FX
Robert Griffin III is one of the most exciting players in the country. Do yourself a favor and watch this game.


Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons-Sunday-1pm-FOX

Homecoming for Cam Newton (Westlake High School) and his feisty group of 1-4 Panthers are hungry for another win. You can’t pencil in a win against them like you used to, Falcons.


Dallas @ New England-Sunday-4:15-FOX
Are you kidding me? America’s team vs. America’s team? I might have to switch to Budweiser for this one. Trust me. It’s the American thing to do.

Metro Spirit 9-8

Prep Rehash

If you happened to get to the Lakeside-Thomson game during halftime you didn’t miss much in the first half. As a matter of fact, you were right on queue. Both offenses combined and exploded for 70 points in the second half of the marquee Week 2 matchup that Thomson won 57-39. There were also plenty of penalties to go around—Thomson had 20 of the combined 32 by themselves! Mark Weidenaar lead the rally effort in contributing with over 400 yards of total offense, but fell short after the defense gave up two late touchdowns to the Bulldogs.

Washington County (AAA) did an incredible job keeping Statesboro (AAAA) on the ropes for as long as they did. The Golden Hawks held the lead into the 4th quarter until Statesboro’s Quan Daniels ran for the go-ahead touchdown on a 3 yard run with 11:26 left in the game. WACO’s QB William Walker, who passed and rushed for over 100 yards apiece, was knocked out for a crucial down in the 4th qtr. The backup threw an interception for a touchdown, tipping the balance of the game. Statesboro snuck out with a win in this one with a 31-26 finish.

Grovetown continued its ascension into the upper echelon of Columbia County teams with a 28-14 win over Evans. It was another great game for the Warriors who capitalized on a muffed punt late in the 4th quarter to get the ball back and let Jamal Cummings (18 rushes for 138 yards, 2 TD)—who battled cramps throughout the game—slam the door shut on a 42 yard run to seal it for Grovetown. Eddie Johnson for Evans had another solid game (11-16, 174 yards) but could not get enough run support to pad the scoreboard. We also got introduced to another Grovetown running back, Terrell Hughes, a sophomore who came in for the cramping Cummings and totaled 11 carries for 114 yards and a TD, which came on a 82 yard scamper in the 4th quarter. With the win, Grovetown ran the table in both their non-region games for the first time in school history.

Not too much to say in the Lincoln County-McCormick finish from last Thursday night. Well, except that after playing a tremendous first half until the 4:00 mark in the 2nd quarter, McCormick decided to ditch the revolver and go with a gatling gun to shoot themselves in the foot with. It was tied 13-13 until Lincoln County went on a 43-6 run.

Games to Watch

Augusta Christian @ Ben Lippen- Friday 7:30

ACS heads to Columbia to see if they can continue their outstanding start of the season and move to 3-0.

North Augusta @ Lakeside- Thursday 7:05 TV: Comcast 380, Knology/Atlantic Broadband 246

A Who’s Who cast of local talent will be on display in this offensive showcase. We’ll see which team packs the better defense. Getcha popcorn ready!

Greenbrier@ Hephzibah-Friday 7:30

The start of a grueling slate of games for the Wolfpack as they take on Lincoln County and Lakeside after getting this talented Rebel bunch coming off a bye week.


College Games to Watch

South Carolina @ Georgia- Saturday 4:30pm- ESPN

How bad did Georgia look against Boise State? Bad enough that with a loss here, Mark Richt will be taking is talents anywhere but Athens. True Story.

Notre Dame @ Michigan- Saturday 8pm- ESPN

It’s that team I love to hate heading to the Big House in primetime. Can’t wait to see which team blinks first. Should be a fun one to watch.


Catawba @ Coastal Carolina- Saturday 6pm- No TV

That’s right! Keep up with local folks like former Strom Thurmond star, USC transfer Aramis Hillary, junior quarterback who was named Big South Offensive Player of the Week after going 10-13 for 130 yards in the air and rushing for 61 yards with two touchdowns. On his longest pass of the day, Hillary connected with sophomore receiver Matt Hazel, former North Augusta standout, on a crucial 39 yard completion in the Chanticleers 30-23 win over the Furman Paladins.

Metro Spirit 9-1

Prep Rehash

For the Evans Knights, it wasn’t that we thought they couldn’t produce points; we just weren’t sure where they would come from. With only three offensive starters returning, chemistry was the main concern entering this season. Team speed on defense seems to be their fastball this year. The surprises started with Sophomore running back Stephon Jacobs, who ran for 213 yards and three touchdowns in his first varsity start. Evans also got stellar play out of—then reserve—quarterback Eddie Johnson who went a perfect 7-of-7 for 81 yards and added 36 yards rushing on eight carries as well. What was most impressive for the Knights thought was after only scoring a touchdown in the 1st half, they found their momentum and exploded for 26 points in the 2nd half to get the 33-19 win at home. And not to put too much stock into one win for the Knights, but Coach Marty Jackson-- at least for this week-- will be able to ditch the pencil and use a pen to fill out his starting lineup.

Lincoln County enjoyed an exciting matchup in their 2nd game of the season. They took on Abbeville, which is Lincoln County coach Larry Campbell's hometown team, had won 14 consecutive games and beaten Lincoln County the past three seasons. The win was in comeback fashion as the Red Devils trailed 13-10 at halftime against South Carolina's reigning Class A champion. To solidify the win, the Red Devils relied on quarterback Denzel Gunby (9-16, 117 yards, 2 TDs) and Zireycus Letman ( 5 Rec, 72 yards, TD) who also intercepted a pass to setup the go-ahead TD early in the 2nd half to prevail 24-13.

The areas best team, the Burke County Bears, are at it again. Led by dual-threat QB Corey Mayton and RB/WR/DB Montres Kitchens (88 yards of total offense, TD and 2 INTs), but the Bears beat a Top 10 team in Baldwin with the help of excellent run defense. They held the Braves to just 16 yards rushing on 14 carries. Thereby completely eliminating any type of run game Baldwin might have had and making them more predictable on offense. Burke County also proved they can finish a game early in the season against a respectable foe with their 14 points in the forth quarter to put the game out of reach at 31-14.


Games to Watch


Statesboro @ Washington County- Friday 7:30

3rd best team in AAAA heads to Sandersville to give the talented, but lower classification Golden Hawks all they can handle.

Thomson @ Lakeside- Friday 7:30

We see how Mark Weidenaar performs against a tough Thomson bunch, and also what Head Coach Jarrett Troxler has up his sleeve.

Evans @ Grovetown- Friday 7:30

Grovetown has had a lot of down time since their thrilling 28-24 win over Greenbrier on August 18th. Evans is riding high from their great 2nd half performance against ARC. This will be quite the battle for both teams.


College Games to Watch


Western Carolina @ Georgia Tech- Thursday 7:30pm ESPN3

If you can name me five Tech players/coaches that are not named Barry Bostic or Paul Johnson, you might have a problem.

Georgia Southern @ Samford- Saturday 7:00pm

What do you have planned for your second season, Coach Monken? After leading Southern to their first NCAA FCS playoffs semifinal appearance since 2002, and beating five ranked teams throughout the season, he’s got the diehards back in Paulson Stadium after they started going to Statesboro High School games and inhaling Crown Royal to forget the Chris Hatcher era at GSU.

Georgia vs. Boise St (Atlanta) - Saturday 8:00pm ESPN

UGA is the dawg—like what I did there?-- in this one as the boys of Boise come into town looking to add a SEC team to their resume in hopes of playing for the National Championship at the end of the season. Georgia is underrated this year based off of last years losing season. Don’t be surprised if they pull out the victory, the speed on the defense this year will surprise you. And if you can’t make the game and are in the area, drop by the parking lot for the tailgate, somebody’s bound to have a drink for ya.