Predictions for area teams advancing to second round of state high school football playoffs

It’s time for Round Two of the high school football state playoffs in Georgia and South Carolina, and the Greater Augusta area still has 16 teams chasing those elusive state championships. From here on out, every team can win on any given day, which makes the task difficult for coaches and players, but it also makes it excitement to the max for fans. 

Here are my predictions for each of the games involving local schools: 

 
Last week’s picks: 26-4 
 

Lakeside (10-1) hosts Houston County (7-4) 

Lakeside is enjoying the best season in school history and is attempting to become the first Panther squad to advance to the state quarterfinals. The team will absolutely have its hands full with arguably the best 7-4 team in the Southeast. Houston County hung 69 points and a very good Clarke Central team in round one. This should be a shootout, but I am praying the home field advantage will allow Lakeside’s magical campaign to continue. 
 
Lakeside 48     Houston County 45 

Harlem (10-1) hosts Southeast Bulloch (9-2) 

Southeast Bulloch is having an excellent season, but the Bulldogs are solid on both sides of the ball. If they can establish the run with Malik Tyler, they should be able to find their big time wide receiver, Jayden Futrell, for some big plays. 
 
Harlem 27     Southeast Bulloch 23 

 Thomson (8-3) hosts Hapeville-Charter (8-3) 

Thomson is definitely a different team now than when it  started the season 2-0. For starters, players are healthy, and two key players back from injury just happen to be the team’s top performers on both sides of the ball. The combo of bruising running back Tre Tre Jeffrey and “Mr. Electric” Jaris Sinkfield will be too much for Hapeville. 
 
Thomson 37     Hapeville-Charter 13 

Burke County (10-1) hosts Laney (7-4) 

Laney picked up a huge Round One win over South Atlanta, but there is a real step up in competition this week facing regional rival Burke County. Franklin Stephens has the Bears playing great football. A’merre Williams (RB) averages over 10 yards a carry and should have a big night. 

Burke County 45     Laney 19 

Aquinas (7-4) @ Athens Academy (10-0) 

These two teams squared off in the season opener with Athens Academy winning 45-22. I think Aquinas will give them a much better game this time around, but I think Athens Academy wins a close game. 

Athens Academy 34     Aquinas 27 

Lincoln County (11-0) hosts Mitchell Co. (9-2) 

Lincoln County had an outstanding year. Head Coach Lee Chomskis has done a masterful job with this squad. CJ Crite is one of the area’s best two-way players and could be a difference maker for the Red Devils. 

Lincoln County 33     Mitchell Co. 16 

Blackville-Hilda (9-2) @ Abbeville (9-1) 

Blackville-Hilda features South Carolina commit Jaquel Holman, so they have a chance in any contest. Still, Abbeville is a perennial power and will likely be too much for the Hawks. 

Abbeville 34     Blackville Hilda 20 

HK Tyler (9-1) hosts Dixie (8-2) 

HY Tyler won back-to-back state titles in 2013 and 2014. This team is looking to get back in the winner’s circle. There is plenty of work ahead, but I think the team takes a step closer Friday night. 

HK Tyler 40     Dixie 19 

Ridge Spring-Monetta (6-5) @ Lewisville (10-1) 

Ridge Spring has done a tremendous job of turning things around after a 1-10 season in 2023, but this week’s test may be a little too much. 

Lewisville 44     Ridge Spring-Monetta 16 

Denmark Olar (4-6) @ Hannah-Pamplico (8-2) 

Ignore the records. This game will be close. Denmark is much better than its 4-6 record might indicate. I think it is tight, but Denmark comes up just short. 

Hannah-Pamplico 27     Denmark Olar 25 

Bamberg-Ehrhardt (7-2) hosts Baptist Hill (7-3) 

Bamberg had a solid season, but it is still not quite as good as the high standard the team has set. A trip to the third round will go a long way toward changing that. 

Bamberg-Ehrhardt 26     Baptist Hill 16 

Batesburg-Leesville (11-0) hosts Andrew Jackson (4-7) 

Batesburg is an outstanding, and super-balanced, team. It can beat you on the ground with Amadre Woodson, or through the air with Tanner Watkins. This will be a long night for Andrew Jackson. 

Batesburg-Leesville 41     Andrew Jackson 7 

Saluda (9-1) hosts Central (9-2) 

Central is a solid team having a very good year, but Saluda is superior. Saluda beat Strom Thurmond 35-25 and its only loss was to the best Class AA team in the state.  

Saluda 27     Central 20 

Barnwell (10-1) hosts Timberland (8-3) 

Brian Smith’s crew is going to be a tough out for anyone in Class AA. Last Week QB Cam Austin was 18-20 passing for 320 yards and five touchdowns to four different receivers. If he plays anywhere close to that, this game will not be close. 

Barnwell 38     Timberland 14 

North Augusta (10-1) hosts May River (8-2) 

North Augusta is looking for its first 11- win season in over a decade and has the weapons to get it. Junior tailback Michael Doe is a beast with the ball in his hands and QB Corey Tillman can sling it. The Yellow Jackets should be moving on to round three. 

North Augusta 37     May River 20