Border faceoff returns

North Augusta will travel to Richmond Academy on Friday, a rare area game between teams from two states.

Only two area public-league schools larger than Class A play an opponent from a different state. Aiken beat Berkmar (Ga.) 40-28 on Aug. 21; Grovetown plays host to Fairfield Central (S.C.) on Friday.

For the second consecutive year, North Augusta and Richmond County are resuming a rivalry that was once one of the fiercest in the area.

KICKING AROUND: Place-kicking seems to have improved throughout the area. On Friday night alone, Aquinas' Ethan LaPan and Hephzibah's Dustin Deckert each kicked three field goals, and Silver Bluff's Kyle Mackey booted a 47-yarder in a three-point win over South Aiken.

LaPan has scored 10 of Aquinas' 16 points through two games -- by far the highest percentage (63) of any player in the area.

"He's about the best kicker I've seen around here in a while," said 12-year Westside coach Gerald Barnes .

KEY WIN FOR WARRIORS: Jefferson County scored 20 points in the fourth quarter of its 27-17 win over Toombs County on Friday, overcoming one of its biggest obstacles on the way to a potential region title.

B.J. Bostic scored on a 66-yard pass reception and could prove more dangerous as a receiver than quarterback this season. He has passed for only 10 yards since throwing for 88 in an opening win over Laney. Two of his three receptions have gone for touchdowns.

BIG GAMES THIS WEEK

7:30 P.M. FRIDAY

REGION 3-AAAA

Lakeside (2-0, 1-0) at Glenn Hills (1-1, 1-0): One of the Spartans' best wins last year was 34-14 at Lakeside. The Panthers haven't allowed a point in two games.

NONREGION

North Augusta (3-0) at Richmond Academy (3-0): Last year's 41-10 Yellow Jackets' win was their first meeting since 1983. Richmond Academy will name its field for former coach Frank Inman during a halftime ceremony.

Statesboro (2-1) at Thomson (1-1): A meeting of two traditionally powerful teams coming off stunning losses. The statistical highlight of Thomson's young season: Phillip Anderson is averaging 38.5 yards on eight punts.

Abbeville (2-1) at Lincoln County (3-0): The South Carolina Class AA power defeated the Red Devils 28-17 a season ago. A win here, and Lincoln County should be undefeated heading into its rivalry game next month at Washington-Wilkes.

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