The people have spoken. Sixty-one percent of the voters in our online poll selected the Brookland-Cayce at South Aiken game as our Aiken Standard TV Game of the Week. That contest, including the bands, cheerleaders and more, will be shown Monday night at 7 p.m. on Atlantic Broadband channel 95. After the initial broadcast, the video will be broadcast in two-hour intervals. The T-Breds are coming off their first win of the season against Dreher but have some renewed confidence with a 1-0 region record and an offense that is finally starting to click.
A battle for the ages?
It is no secret that the football programs at Wagener-Salley and Fox Creek high schools are building for the future, while struggling through some rough times in the present. Both programs have taken their lumps this season, as each is 1-5 with the only win coming against region foe C.A. Johnson High School.
The two Region 4-A squads have a big opportunity before them this weekend, though, as they meet on the gridiron Friday night in Wagener. The winner will move back to even at 2-2 in region play, and perhaps more importantly gain bragging rights for the year. It may seem like a minor accomplishment to come out as the victor in this contest, but for two programs looking for any positive to build on, a victory Friday night would be a major step toward the future.
Contenders or pretenders?
That has been the question for most of the year at North Augusta High School. The Jackets have talent (see Tidy Johnson, Brett Johnson, Loranzo Hammonds, Travis Murphy, Matt Hazel, etc.), and at times they have looked like a team not to be ignored in Region 5-AAAA play (see lopsided wins over Midland Valley, South Aiken, and Academy of Richmond County). But in their loss to Strom Thurmond and a 14-13 squeaker over Dutch Fork, Dan Pippin's crew has looked average at best.
Coming into the season, it appeared as though the Nov. 7 meeting between North Augusta and Aiken could help decide the region title. That possibility is still on the table, but if that showdown is to take place, North Augusta needs to prove it belongs in the discussion Friday night at Irmo.
The other Yellow Jackets, the ones from the Columbia area, gave Aiken all it could handle last week, but the Hornets got by with a 21-14 win and kept them in the race by avoiding an 0-2 start to region play. Now North Augusta needs to keep pace with a big road victory that could virtually knock Irmo, a perennial contender in that region out of the race.
Who's in front?
With the regular season more than halfway through, a number of contenders have risen to the top in the race for Aiken Standard Player of the Year. Nobody, though, has jumped out in front of the pack.
Three area players have topped the 1,000-yard mark on the ground already this season -- Javon Brown (Strom Thurmond), Maurice Brown (Strom Thurmond) and Tidy Johnson (North Augusta). Three others are over the 1,000-yard mark through the air -- Javon Brown, Cameron Epting (Midland Valley) and Austin Pollock (Silver Bluff).
On the receiving end of those throws, Nick Willamson (Strom Thurmond), Jesse Scott (Midland Valley), Ty'Juan Harris (Silver Bluff) and Matt Hazel (North Augusta) have been consistent performers, and defensive stars like Tra'ves Bush (Strom Thurmond), Brett Johnson (North Augusta) and Dominique Robinson (Midland Valley) can't be left off the list either.
A lot of factors will figure into the final decision on the 2008 Player of the Year, including statistics, comments from other coaches, the overall impact the player has on his team and leadership abilities. There is still a lot of football to be played, but it looks as though the race to the crown should provide plenty of excitement.
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
0