Region outlooks for Augusta high school football programs. How they'll shake out in 2023
We're just a couple of days away from season-openers for Augusta-area high school football programs.
That means it's not too early to take a look at region alignments and how things might shake out in 2023.
Coaches will tell you last season is in the rearview mirror and isn't necessarily an indicator of future success. Defending region champions have to work twice as hard to get back to the top of the mountain and teams that finished toward the bottom in 2022 have something to prove.
Harlem and Thomson are two defending region champions looking to repeat, while others aim to replace them. The early portion of the season provides a great chance for coaches to see what they have before games have an impact on state playoff seeding.
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There are more than 20 programs across four different leagues in our coverage area. Let's take a look at the regions and how they might shake out.
2023 Augusta-area high school football region outlooks
GHSA Region 2-AAAAAA
2022 standings
Brunswick (10-1, 6-0)
Effingham County (7-4, 5-1)
Glynn Academy (6-5, 4-2)
Evans (4-7, 2-4)
South Effingham (4-5, 2-4)
Grovetown (4-6, 1-5)
Lakeside (3-7, 1-5)
Favorite: Brunswick
Contenders: Effingham County, Glynn Academy, Evans
Dark horses: Grovetown, Lakeside
Evans outlook: The Knights made the state playoffs as the No. 4 seed a year ago on the back of a 37-24 win over South Effingham in the regular-season finale. That said, if a couple things had swung the other way against Glynn Academy and Lakeside, the Knights head into the playoffs with six wins. While Evans is replacing a lot of talent at skill positions, there still exists tons of experience on this roster and with a more stable running game expected, the Knights could be back in contention in 2023.
Grovetown outlook: With quarterback Amare Clark under center, one has to feel like the Warriors will find ways to put points on the board. The question with Grovetown the past two seasons have come defensively and that doesn’t get any easier after losing a pair of key linebackers. Facing Midland Valley and Thomson in Weeks 1 and 3, respectively, will go a long way to showing us how this team stacks up ahead of region play.
Lakeside outlook: Lakeside has a chance to improve in a big way. The Panthers are returning experience on the defensive side and things could get interesting as young playmakers begin to step up on the perimeter. Don’t sleep on Lakeside.
Region 1-AAAAA
2022 standings
Ware County (14-0, 5-0)
Coffee (10-3, 4-1)
Jenkins (4-7, 3-2)
Statesboro (3-8, 2-3)
Bradwell Institute (1-9, 1-4)
Greenbrier (0-10, 0-5)
Favorites: Ware County, Coffee
Contenders: Jenkins, Statesboro
Dark horse: Greenbrier
Greenbrier outlook: Last season’s winless campaign would lead many to simply conclude that it can only go up from here. Looking at this region as a whole, the gap between Greenbrier’s 2022 record and a state playoff appearance is relatively small. Ware County and Coffee are the undisputed class of the region, but there’s a significant possibility that Statesboro, Jenkins and Bradwell can be bested by an improving Wolfpack team. Greenbrier could find itself back in the state playoffs before it’s all said and done.
Region 3-AAAA
2022 standings
Benedictine (13-2, 5-0)
Wayne County (10-3, 4-1)
Burke County (9-3, 3-2)
New Hampstead (6-5, 2-3)
Southeast Bulloch (2-8, 1-4)
Islands (0-10, 0-5)
Favorite: Benedictine
Contenders: Wayne County, Burke County
Burke County outlook: In the big picture, quarterback Luke Kromenhoek and Benedictine look like they’re bound for another state championship run. The Cadets will be tough to knock out of the top spot in the region. Still, Burke County has to like its odds as a potential No. 2 seed. The Bears faced a whirlwind last season (losing their coach late in the season due to a health issue and an incredibly tough non-region schedule) and still managed to win a state playoff game. With the experienced Franklin Stephens at the helm, along with some hungry, young talent looking to prove itself, the Bears will be in the thick of things in the region once again.
Region 4-AAA
2022 standings
Harlem (10-2, 5-0)
Morgan County (7-4, 4-1)
Hephzibah (6-5, 3-2)
Salem (2-9, 2-3)
Richmond Academy (4-6, 1-4)
Cross Creek (1-9, 0-5)
Favorite: Hephzibah
Contenders: Harlem, Morgan County
Harlem outlook: The Bulldogs were the top dog in the region a year ago. They also lost an area-high 21 seniors to graduation. Still, there is a lot to be excited about in Harlem. There are more than a handful of all-area players returning and while 10 wins may be a lot to ask, the Bulldogs are still legitimate contenders.
Hephzibah outlook: Hephzibah had a solid grip on the No. 3 seed last season, but the expectations around the Rebels’ program are high for 2023. Replacing a multi-year starter at the quarterback position is never easy, but experience in the trenches and a stable running game will carry this team as far as it wants to go.
Richmond Academy outlook: On top of losing its big three offensive playmakers to graduation, coaching stability (or lack thereof) introduces a tough variable to Richmond’s 2023 season. The Musketeers are just behind the top-tier programs in the region and the relatively soft non-region schedule isn’t helping much. It might be a tough go of it for the purple and gold.
Cross Creek outlook: The rebuild continues for the Razorbacks after a much more stable offseason. Coach Ezzard Horn looks to build on last year while creating a winning culture around the program. Cross Creek has enough potential difference-maker players to make some things happen and overlooking them would be a mistake.
Region 4-AA
Thomson (14-1, 7-0)
Putnam County (9-3, 4-1)
Laney (8-3, 4-1)
Washington County (4-7, 4-3)
Westside (2-8, 2-5)
Butler (4-6, 1-4)
Glenn Hills (2-8, 1-4)
Josey (2-8, 1-6)
Favorite: Thomson
Contenders: Putnam County, Laney
Dark horses: Washington County, Westside
Thomson outlook: The defending state champions are the team to beat in the region. Michael Youngblood’s squad has reloaded and once again looks to be in the conversation as one of the top programs in the state entering the 2023 season.
Laney outlook: Laney was quietly one of the best teams in the area last year and nearly knocked off the state champion Bulldogs at home. Ronnie Baker is building a winning culture around that program and it looks to be full steam ahead. The Wildcats are once again one of the top teams in the region.
Westside outlook: Westside sported one of the youngest rosters in the area a year ago and looks primed to open some eyes in 2023. The Patriots will contend for a postseason berth this season.
Butler outlook: Butler quietly posted four wins a year ago and looks to be improving under coach Myron Newton. A state playoff berth isn’t out of the question for the Bulldogs this year.
Glenn Hills outlook: The region will be a tough hill to climb for the Spartans, who averaged just six points per game last season.
Josey outlook: Lawrence Pinkney takes the helm at Josey after four seasons as an assistant for the Eagles. While this region is a tall order for any first-year head coach, it’s a great environment for learning as he and his players look to adopt a winning culture.
Region 8-A D2
2022 standings
Lincoln County (10-3, 5-0)
Aquinas (7-4, 2-1)
Washington-Wilkes (8-4, 2-2)
Greene County (6-5, 2-2)
Towns County (3-7, 1-3)
Lake Oconee Academy (4-6, 0-1)
Warren County (2-8, 0-3)
Favorites: Lincoln County, Aquinas
Contenders: Washington-Wilkes, Greene County
Aquinas outlook: This Aquinas team, on paper, looks to be the best under James Leonard since 2015. Quarterback play, the running game and a stout defense should all be expected. The Fightin’ Irish look to be serious contenders in Class A-D2, and the region could very well come down to the Sept. 29 matchup with Lincoln County.
SCHSL Region 4-AAAA
2022 standings
North Augusta (6-6, 4-0)
South Aiken (4-7, 3-1)
Midland Valley (5-6, 2-2)
Aiken (1-10, 1-3)
Airport (2-8, 0-4)
Favorites: North Augusta, South Aiken
Contenders: Midland Valley
North Augusta outlook: Energy is high around this North Augusta team under coach Richard Bush. The Yellow Jackets are replacing key starters from a year ago, but that’s what North Augusta does. The defending region champs have a target on their backs, but the path to the Region 4-AAAA title still goes through the Jacket’s Nest.
SCISA AAAA
2022 standings
Hammond (11-0, 6-2)
Ben Lippen (8-3, 5-1)
Laurence Manning Academy (9-4, 4-2)
Heathwood Hall Episcopal (5-6, 4-3)
Trinity Collegiate (6-7, 3-3)
Porter-Gaud (5-7, 3-3)
Cardinal Newman (5-6, 3-4)
Augusta Christian (2-9, 0-6)
Camden Military (0-8, 0-6)
Favorite: Hammond
Contenders: Ben Lippen, Laurence Manning Academy
Augusta Christian outlook: It’s the first year for new coach Chris Thomas at Augusta Christian, and the Lions’ roster is looking up despite losing a few pieces to transfer. An experienced quarterback alongside young playmakers like Dallas Carter can make this team fun to watch on offense. The defensive side of the football may be the biggest struggle point for the Lions in 2023.
GIAA Region 4-AA
2022 standings
Briarwood Academy (8-4, 2-0)
Augusta Prep (5-6, 1-1)
Edmund Burke Academy (5-7, 0-2)
Favorite: Briarwood Academy
Contenders: Augusta Prep, Edmund Burke Academy
Augusta Prep outlook: An already young team, the Cavaliers were dealt a huge blow when senior Sam Connell went down this summer with a leg injury. Replacing a huge senior class all at once is never easy, but a lot of young guys will get valuable on-the-job training early in the season. Coach Todd Booker will need to pull all the tricks out of his bag to get this team ready for region play.
GIAA 8-man Region 1
2022 standings
Westminster Schools of Augusta (7-4, 3-0)
Holy Spirit Prep (5-3, 2-1)
Westminster Christian Academy (2-9, 1-2)
Dominion Christian (0-8, 0-3)
Favorite: Westminster Schools of Augusta
Contenders: Holy Spirit Prep, Westminster Christian Academy
WSA outlook: Chris Murphey takes over as the Wildcats look to defend their region title. WSA is also returning a majority of its playmakers from a year ago, including quarterback Levi Murphey and running back Josh Garner. The Wildcats should be the odds-on favorite to repeat as region champs.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: 2023 region outlooks for Augusta-area high school football programs
