Second-round matchups set

WHAT'S UP: Columbia County has surged into its usual position: at the forefront of postseason baseball discussion.

It went 3-1 over the weekend in the opening round of the GHSA playoffs, with Harlem taking host Alcovy to three games before falling 15-12 in the finale.

Here's what's on tap for Wednesday, when the best-of-three second-round series begin:

- Glynn Academy at Evans: The Knights have won 13 games in a row, but they will face a significant test against a pitching staff that allowed two runs in an opening-round road sweep of the state's top-ranked team.

- Harris County at Lakeside: The Panthers face one of the hottest teams in the bracket. The Tigers have won 14 in a row, including an opening-round sweep of Statesboro (16-13, 15-1).

- Greenbrier at East Coweta: The Indians dominated Region 4-AAAAA play (18-0). The Wolfpack likely have played their last series at home and will need to prove tough on the road.

Thomson and Screven County also will play host to second-round series. Washington-Wilkes, the only other area team remaining, travels to Pacelli (Columbus). State quarterfinals begin May 19.

STANDOUT: Warren County's Coby Reynolds will be a marked man on the football field next season. After his performance last weekend in the GHSA track meet, how could he not?

The sophomore won the Class A 100 meter (10.88 seconds) and 200 meter (22.2). He got another first-place medal when the Screaming Devils' 400 relay team took the title.

Warren County won the Class A title, easily outdistancing Athens Christian. Screven County placed third in Class AA, and Burke County finished fifth in Class AAA.

Reynolds led Warren County in rushing last season, including a 257-yard performance against Aquinas that sealed a playoff berth.

ANOTHER STANDOUT: Burke County's Damion Johnson won three events and was the individual top scorer in Class AAA. Johnson won the 200 meters, triple jump and long jump. His triple-jump mark was an astounding 49-51/2.

PLAYOFFS BEGIN: Though every public school in Georgia is done with its soccer season, the South Carolina playoffs finally begin this week. South Aiken's boys and girls teams are among the best in the state, but they will have to play on the road early in the competition.

Should the Thoroughbreds win two games this week, they likely would have to make a trip to the Hilton Head area to challenge a state power. The boys' potential opponent is Bluffton (undefeated); the girls' is Hilton Head Island (ranked first in the state).

BIG EVENTS THIS WEEK

SOCCER

Mount de Sales at Westminster, Thursday: The Wildcats will play host to a GISA Class AAA state quarterfinal against the defending champion. The teams have met twice this year, both one-goal Mount de Sales wins.

TRACK AND FIELD

Georgia girls state meet: The three-day event begins Thursday in Albany. Glenn Hills leads Region 3-AAAA with eight athletes qualifying. Westside's Aishya Wofford won three individual titles (shot put, discus, pole vault) at the region meet.

South Carolina state meet: Lower Richland High School will play host to the two-day event, which begins Friday with large-school field and relay events.

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