Tonight's key matchups

LINCOLN COUNTY (2-0) AT HEPHZIBAH (2-0)

7:30 p.m.

LAST WEEK: Lincoln County won 49-0 at McCormick; Hephzibah won 14-7 at Josey

KEY PLAYERS: Lincoln County-- RB A.G. Middlebrooks (Jr., 5-10, 185), WR Wilkes Goolsby (Sr., 6-2, 175), DB Jatoyaus Jones (Sr., 6-0, 165); Hephzibah-- QB Connell Reddick (Sr., 5-9, 175), TE/DE Tavarius Washington (So., 6-2, 200), RB/DB Antoine Nabors (Jr., 5-8, 170)

KEY MATCHUP: Hephzibah's defensive front vs. Lincoln County's running backs. Breaking in a new QB, the Red Devils have run twice as much as they have passed. If the Rebels don't take away Middlebrooks (203 all-purpose yards) and Jafabian Green (145) early, it could be a long night.

OUTLOOK: No one has scored on Lincoln County in two games. Hephzibah probably will find the end zone, but it might be too much to ask to knock off a Devils team that is more powerful than the one the Rebels beat in 2001.

PREDICTION: Lincoln County 24, Hephzibah 16

NORTH AUGUSTA (2-0) AT STROM THURMOND (2-0)

7:30 p.m.

LAST WEEK: North Augusta won 21-0 at South Aiken; Strom Thurmond was off

KEY PLAYERS: North Augusta-- LB Brett Johnson (Sr., 6-2, 205), RB Tidy Johnson (Sr., 5-10, 190), WR Matt Hazel (Jr., 6-2, 180); Strom Thurmond-- QB Javon Brown (Sr., 5-11, 165), OL Tristan Bellamy (Sr., 6-3, 280), LB Tra'ves Bush (Sr., 5-10, 170)

KEY MATCHUP: Strom Thurmond's defense vs. North Augusta's passing attack. The Rebels were burned for big plays in last year's loss at North Augusta, including four passing TDs. They also gave up 160 yards on the ground to Tidy Johnson. Johnson will get his yards; the Rebels just need to make the Jackets one-dimensional.

OUTLOOK: North Augusta stormed back from a 17-0 halftime hole last year and returns 15 starters from that team. This game is annually one of the best non-region outings of the year.

PREDICTION: North Augusta 21, Strom Thurmond 17

DUBLIN (1-0) AT LANEY (1-1)

7:30 p.m.

LAST WEEK: Laney won 21-14 in overtime at Screven County; Dublin was off

KEY PLAYERS: Dublin-- QB Rashad Smith, WR Michael Coffey, DL Jack Whittle; Laney-- RB Eugene Moore (Sr., 5-10, 180), LB/WR Courtney Roundtree (Sr., 6-1, 190), QB Kwame Cunningham (Sr., 6-0, 175)

KEY MATCHUP: Laney's defense vs. Dublin's quarterback. Smith accounted for 267 yards in his team's 13-3 opening win at Screven County. He's the one to stop.

OUTLOOK: Another tough draw for the Wildcats, who have done the following in two games: won in overtime and lost by two points. Dublin in 2006 beat Laney 37-13 on its way to winning a state title it shared with Charlton County -- Dublin and Charlton played to a 13-13 tie in the title game. Count on a closer game this time.

PREDICTION: Dublin 20, Laney 10

SOUTH AIKEN (0-2) AT SILVER BLUFF (1-1)

7:30 p.m.

LAST WEEK: South Aiken lost 21-0 to North Augusta; Silver Bluff lost 14-7 at Aiken

KEY PLAYERS: South Aiken-- RB Denzell Washington (Sr., 5-8, 180); QB Tanner Hawley (So., 6-1, 200); OL/DL JerQuari Schofield (Sr., 6-6, 296); Silver Bluff-- RB Frederick Garnett (Sr., 5-11, 160); RB Kendrick Garnett (Sr., 6-0, 181); LB Bradley Allen (Sr., 5-11, 165)

KEY MATCHUP: South Aiken's rushing attack against Silver Bluff's defensive line. The Thoroughbreds have yet to score on offense in two games, but they do have talented running backs. Silver Bluff's defensive line played well against Aiken, but can the Bulldogs stuff South Aiken's bigger line?

OUTLOOK: Silver Bluff takes pride in beating bigger schools, and the Bulldogs' speedy rushing attack will be the difference. South Aiken will get on the scoreboard, though.

PREDICTION: Silver Bluff 14, South Aiken 10

WESTSIDE (1-1) AT AQUINAS (0-1)

7:30 p.m.

LAST WEEK: Westside defeated Cross Creek 34-18; Aquinas was off

KEY PLAYERS: Westside-- RB Chris Hunter (Jr., 5-10, 175), QB Josh Edmunds (Sr., 6-3, 195), TE Eric Vivian (Sr., 6-6, 210); Aquinas-- QB Brandon Paul (Sr.), RB/DE David Mysona (Jr.), RB Eric Andrews (Jr.)

KEY MATCHUP: Aquinas' defense vs. Westside's running attack. Aquinas will not have a chance unless it contains Hunter. Otherwise, he could top his 308-yard performance from last week.

OUTLOOK: Aquinas has had two weeks to prepare for this meeting, which should deliver a large crowd to its home opener. The Irish think they have the schemes to limit Hunter, though executing them could be tougher than expected.

PREDICTION: Westside 34, Aquinas 20

-- From staff reports