BEST WIN LAST WEEK: Washington County ripped Cross Creek 56-6 to open its season, a year after it failed to score in a loss to the Razorbacks. The Golden Hawks were 4-6 a year ago, just the second time this decade they didn't win at least 11 games in a season. Looks like they're on the way to a successful season.

BIGGEST SURPRISE: North Augusta holding Midland Valley to only one touchdown without its top defensive player. The Mustangs have a strong passing game and moved the ball well against Aiken in the county jamboree. Yellow Jackets linebacker Brett Johnson (foot injury) didn't start and played sparingly.

STAT OF THE WEEK: Thomas Jefferson Academy allowed Curtis Baptist negative-five yards of offense in a 56-0 win.

THREE TO WATCH FRIDAY

- Lucy C. Laney at Screven County, 7:30 p.m.: The loser falls to 0-2 in the region.

- Lakeside at Evans, 7:30: Columbia County rivals could be the top two teams in Region 3-AAAA.

- Silver Bluff at Aiken, 8: Aiken has about twice as many students as Silver Bluff. How much will that matter?

LONG ROAD: Laney hasn't missed the playoffs since 1999. Screven County has made it nine of the past 10 seasons. It will be a long road back to the top four spots for the loser of their meeting Friday. Both teams dropped their opener.

How many wins will it take to make the playoffs in this region? No one seemed to have a clue last week.

"I have no idea, I just know they will all be like this one," Jefferson County coach J.B. Arnold said after his team held off a Laney rally to win 23-21.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Lincoln County games won't be broadcast on the radio this season, but they can he heard on the Internet. A link to the broadcast can be found at www.lincolncountyga.com.

FORECAST: Keep an eye on Hurricane Hanna. It could create chaos with Friday's schedule if it makes landfall late in the week.

Reach Matt Middleton at (706) 823-3425 or matt.middleton@augustachronicle.com.