A coin flip likely will not be needed to decide the Region 3-AAAA playoff order following Richmond Academy's 35-13 win over Hephzibah on Friday night.
Lakeside and Evans will share the region title at 8-1 if they both win next week, but Lakeside would grab the top playoff seed because of its head-to-head win over the Knights. The coin flip would only come into play if Lakeside lost to 1-8 Josey and some combination of three or more teams tied at 7-2.
Lakeside benefitted the most from Friday's results. Richmond Academy's win allows the Panthers to control their own destiny for the opportunity to play host to as many as two home playoff games.
"I don't think we're going to need that coin -- tell (Lakeside coach) Jody Grooms he owes me a Christmas card," Richmond Academy coach Chris Hughes said. "I just hope we play hard next week and have a chance."
PLAYOFF TIME: Four area teams will be at home when the playoffs begin next week for three South Carolina classifications, including region champions Silver Bluff, Strom Thurmond and Williston-Elko.
The South Carolina High School Association released playoff brackets for Class AAA, AA and A (Division I and II) on Saturday. Class AAAA still has one week remaining in its regular season.
The Class A state finals are Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving. Every other classification will play its title game the following week.
The Georgia High School Association playoff brackets will be released next week.
ALL HANDS ON DECK: With Midland Valley quarterback Marquett Carr already on the sidelines with an injured shoulder, the Mustangs depth in the backfield took more hits Friday when both backup quarterbacks were injured in a 21-3 win at South Aiken.
Cole Cromer , who started the game and took most of the snaps, took a shot to the head and was forced out. Shaquille Hightower played much of the second half but left the game with a separated shoulder.
The injuries forced Midland Valley to show its hand on a new offensive scheme. The Mustangs shifted into a "Wildcat" formation late in the second half with tailback Jeremy Robinson taking direct snaps.
"We had both (backup quarterbacks) out, and we had already put that package in in practice," coach Rick Knight said. "We're not sure about Cole. But it looked like a minor concussion."
NICE TURNAROUND: Richmond Academy only allowed Hephzibah 13 points and one touchdown, a better effort than every defense in the region.
Hephzibah had been averaging 32.9 points per region game, but struggled on offense against the Musketeers. It generated only five second-half first downs and was hurt by penalties, including a holding call that negated a 35-yard TD run by Antoine Nabors and a personal foul that wiped out an 84-yard blocked field goal return by Bobby Liggins .
Richmond Academy gave up more points to Cross Creek last week (23) but regrouped in time for a better result.
"We tried to make sure we tackled," Hughes said. "Last week we had a tough time tackling. We wanted to take away their keys: No. 4 (Robinson) and have linebackers chase Nabors around. We did a good job tackling."
Staff writer Billy Byler contributed to this story.
Reach Matt Middleton at (706) 823-3425 or matt.middleton@augustachronicle.com.
WEEKLY LEADERS
RUSHING: Kendric Salley, Williston-Elko, 188 yards in a 30-0 win over Blackville-Hilda
PASSING: Dane Anderson, Aquinas, 268 yards in a 45-8 win over Hancock Central
RECEIVING: Matt Hazel, North Augusta, 112 yards in a 41-29 win over Lexington
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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So now we are going to say Lakeside and Evans will "share" the region title if both win their last games? Doesn't the Lakeside shut out of Evans in their head to head competition make them the region champions? It seems the Chronicle has a new take on what happens with every article.
I believe that the paper is wrong again. Since Lakeside beat Evans in a shut out Lakeside will be the lone region champs. The paper needs to start checking their facts before they report. What about an article about Lakeside JV being back to back JV champs. When Evan was champs there was an article. One more thing when Lakeside middle school and Evans middle school tied for the middle school champs the article made it out that Lakeside didn't want to play Evans again well the truth be told the school board wouldn't allow it to take place. Plus some of the other articles seem to state that if Evans was to play Lakeside again that Evans would win - I would say NOT - Evans needs to realize that they got beat and go and take it like a man.
One more thing before the paper does the Friday night rewind do you think you could get the schools right. Wrong again on the Lakeside posts.
For as long as Stephen Fasteau is part of the Chronicle Reporting Staff....... Every article will show Evans in a much stronger light then deserved. Sure they are a good team but Stephen is definitely biased.