Here are the top 20 Augusta-area high school football games to watch in 2023
We took a look at the 2023 Augusta-area high school football schedules for each program, now it's time to dive in and highlight some of the juicier matchups.
What immediately stands out about the 2023 slate is action right out of the gate. Defending Georgia High School Association 2A state champ Thomson travels to Waynesboro to face rival Burke County. For the Bears, it's also coach Franklin Stephens' debut as coach of his alma mater. For those who remember last years' nail-biter, we could have another game of the year candidate in the first week.
We're not through there, however. Evans crosses the Savannah River to face North Augusta at the Jacket's Nest. North Augusta and new coach Richard Bush aim to avenge last year's 16-7 loss at Blanchard Stadium. The other cross-river meeting between Grovetown and Midland Valley should prove to be an early test for both programs trending up.
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The rivalries are a given: Josey-Laney, Hephzibah-Cross Creek and Harlem-Aquinas are all there. Other intriguing matchups include Hephzibah traveling to Laney and Augusta Christian. Savannah power Benedictine coming to the Bear Den to square off against Burke County will surely be circled on the calendar, too.
That said, here are the top games we're looking at for the 2023 high school football season in Augusta.
Top 20 Augusta-area high school football games to watch in 2023
Aug. 18
Thomson at Burke County
Burke County prevailed 24-21 in the season-opener in The Brickyard a year ago, which proved to be Thomson's only loss as the Bulldogs steamrolled to the GHSA 2A state championship. Now the rivalry shifts to Waynesboro as new Bears' coach Franklin Stephens coaches his first game in the Bear Den.
Evans at North Augusta
North Augusta fell to Evans 16-7 a year ago, but this time it's the Knights' turn to travel across the river to the Jacket's Nest. With the interim tag removed, North Augusta coach Richard Bush will look to begin his Yellow Jackets tenure with a win over a solid opponent. For Evans, it's a chance to get an early win in what looks to be a tough non-region slate.
Grovetown at Midland Valley
The third cross-river matchup of the first week features a Grovetown team that has a great chance to make the GHSA 6A state playoffs since 2021. The Warriors toppled the Midland Valley 43-16 last season and the Mustangs were nearly Region 4-AAAA champs, falling to North Augusta in the regular-season finale.
Aug. 25
Hephzibah at Laney
Laney knocked off Hephzibah 26-17 on the road last season and it proved to be one of the best of the Wildcats' eight wins on the year. This season both teams are coming in with high expectations, making this Week 2 matchup that much more important.
Sept. 1
Hephzibah at Augusta Christian
Right after facing a tough opponent in Laney, Hephzibah travels to Baston Road to face Augusta Christian. New Lions' coach Chris Thomas will have a couple of games under his belt by that point and they'll look to avenge last season's 20-0 rout at the hands of the Rebels.
Grovetown at Thomson
Thomson has bested Grovetown each of the past two seasons by a combined score of 86-13. Warriors' coach Cory Evans has never been shy about scheduling the best possible opponents for his team and this year is no different. While Thomson train doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon, this year's contest will likely signal further improvement for this Grovetown team.
North Augusta at Lakeside
Lakeside aims to end a two-game losing skid to North Augusta. Both teams squared off in a 28-21 bruiser in the Jacket's Nest a year ago in a contest that could have gone either way. The year prior, an unfortunate set of weather conditions had both teams coming back Saturday morning to finish the Friday contest (which North Augusta took 17-0). The Panthers will be in front of the home crowd for this one.
Sept. 8
Burke County at Evans
Everything that could have gone wrong for Evans did in last year's 50-14 loss at Burke County. The Bears scored three touchdowns on special teams and were seemingly unaffected by the pouring rain that soaked the field all night. This time the Knights have a chance at revenge in their own backyard.
Lakeside at Greenbrier
Every time we think we have a good idea about where either of these teams stand, the rivalry game reminds us that the stats on paper can be thrown out the window. Lakeside survived a 13-3 defensive contest last season and the Wolfpack won 34-31 on a last-second deep ball in 2021. One thing is certain: it will be physical and the score will be close.
Sept. 15
Aquinas at Harlem
Harlem knocked off Aquinas 27-20 a year ago, the Bulldogs' second-straight win in the series. The tables look to have turned this time around, as Harlem is one of the youngest teams in the area after graduating 21 seniors from last year's 10-win campaign. Aquinas, meanwhile, can make a serious run if the team stays healthy.
Laney at Thomson
Thomson came away with the win in what was likely the most bizarre high school football game the area has seen in recent memory. The game was postponed in the third quarter following a series of gunshots outside Laney Stadium and the teams met about a month later with the Bulldogs squeaking out a narrow win with huge Region 4-AA implications. This time they'll meet at The Brickyard.
Sept. 22
Evans at Grovetown
Since a 30-20 loss in 2018, Evans has owned Grovetown to the tune of four-straight wins and a 155-56 scoring differential. While the region landscape has changed since the teams were paired with Coastal Georgia programs, that doesn't diminish the level of this rivalry. Players from both sides know what's at stake.
Strom Thurmond at North Augusta
Strom Thurmond took last year's contest 13-7, but this non-region rivalry continues to be one of the best in South Carolina. This marks the final stage of a non-region gauntlet for North Augusta, right before region play begins.
Sept. 29
Lincoln County at Aquinas (at Greenbrier)
While renovations take place at the Aquinas athletic facility, the Fightin' Irish host region opponent Lincoln County at Greenbrier High School's stadium. The Red Devils are coming off a Class A Division-II semifinal run and Aquinas looks to be one of the other favorites in the region, so this could be a heavyweight fight at the end of September.
Lakeside at Evans
Lakeside squeaked by Evans 21-20 at home last season, ending a three-game skid against the Knights. This matchup will once again prove to be pivotal in the state playoff picture for Region 2-AAAAAA.
South Aiken at North Augusta
North Augusta took last year's meeting 24-20, becoming one of the few teams with an answer for South Aiken's video-game-like offense. This time they'll be in the friendly confines of the Jacket's Nest, likely with huge region implications on the line.
Oct. 6
Benedictine at Burke County
The effects from this meeting are felt around the state. Benedictine took last year's contest convincingly and with 2024 quarterback Luke Kromenhoek leading the way, another 4A state championship could be in the works. The Cadets will be traveling to Waynesboro this time around and the winner will likely find themselves atop the region when it's all said and done.
Laney at Josey
If there's one rivalry in Augusta you can't miss, it's Laney-Josey. While we're normally talking about these two programs on the basketball court, passion and energy translates just as well to the football field. The Wildcats took last season's contest 22-6.
Aiken at North Augusta
North Augusta cruised to a 49-7 victory in last year's meeting. Both programs feature new faces at the head coaching position, so it will be interesting to see the new wrinkles thrown into this late-season region game.
Nov. 3
Hephzibah at Cross Creek
Hephzibah blasted a rebuilding Cross Creek team 70-0 in the regular-season finale a year ago. The Razorbacks are in year two with Ezzard Horn at the helm, who took over literally just before the first game in 2022. Things might not be much different this time around as the Rebels look to be a strong region contender.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Best Augusta-area high school football matchups to look for in 2023
