News Summary
As the high school football season nears its climax, Augusta is abuzz with enthusiasm for Week 11 and its pivotal matchups. West Laurens, aiming for an undefeated season, faces Aquinas, who looks to make a statement. Westside and Baldwin also clash in a vital game. Richmond Academy competes with Hephzibah, while Thomson takes on Josey. Meanwhile, marching bands compete for the title of best band. The community rallies together as teams battle for playoff positions and pride.
Augusta is buzzing as high school football enthusiasts gear up for Week 11 of the season, with only two weeks remaining until the playoffs begin. This week features five crucial matchups that could have significant implications for playoff seeding and regional championships.
The highlight of the week is the matchup between West Laurens and Aquinas. This marks only the second encounter in history between these teams, with West Laurens winning the first game last year with a score of 48-38. Currently, West Laurens boasts an impressive 8-0 record and is striving for an undefeated regular season. A fierce competition is underway for the Region 4-3A championship, particularly between West Laurens and Westside.
West Laurens features standout senior running back Ty Cummings, who is averaging nearly 200 rushing yards per game and is approaching 20 touchdowns this season. The team’s senior quarterback, Cason Pollack, has contributed to the success with nine touchdown passes this year. On the other side of the field, Aquinas’ quarterback Jack Rhodes, a Virginia commit, is filling in for the injured Turner Stevenson. Rhodes has been performing admirably, averaging 200 passing yards and over one touchdown per game. Adding to Aquinas’ offensive capabilities, senior Christian Kates has also made a significant impact this season, scoring nine touchdowns.
Looking at the standings, Westside is also on track for an undefeated season and aims to capture the region title. They are set to face Baldwin, who is hoping for an upset. Baldwin has won three out of the four games in their all-time series with Westside. The Patriots’ senior running back, Tamari Curry, has been a key player this year, averaging close to 170 rushing yards and scoring 15 touchdowns. For Westside, senior quarterback Jaylen Stone has surpassed 1,000 passing yards with 12 touchdown throws this season. In contrast, Baldwin’s sophomore quarterback Kamden Patterson has also excelled, throwing 12 touchdowns and closing in on 1,500 passing yards.
Furthermore, Richmond Academy and Hephzibah will face off in a matchup where Richmond Academy has historically dominated with a 20-11 record in their all-time encounters. Richmond Academy is looking to bounce back after losing their last game to West Laurens, while Hephzibah seeks to break a three-game losing streak. Hephzibah’s quarterback Reante Byrd has been a bright spot, averaging over 100 rushing yards per game and recording 12 rushing touchdowns. Richmond Academy’s quarterback, Carson Hand, is also performing well, averaging nearly 200 passing yards and throwing 15 touchdown passes.
Another point of interest is the matchup between Thomson and Josey. Thomson holds a favorable 26-5 all-time record against Josey, and their most recent game resulted in a dominant 85-0 victory last season. Thomson’s quarterback, Markevion Jones, has proven to be a dual threat on offense, posing challenges for opposing defenses. Conversely, Josey has struggled offensively, failing to score two or more touchdowns in a game for over a month.
Lastly, Evans will take on Greenbrier, with Evans holding a 16-7 all-time record against Greenbrier and boasting an 11-game winning streak. Evans’ senior quarterback, Tripp Furgeison, had a standout performance in the last game with nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns. Greenbrier’s dual-threat quarterback, Parker Brantley, has contributed significantly to the offense this season, racking up four passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns.
As the games unfold, marching bands continue to play a vital role in the Friday night football experience, with a poll taking place to determine the best band in Augusta, running until October 28. Whether you’re a player, a fan, or simply someone who enjoys the community spirit generated by high school football, this week holds plenty of excitement as teams battle for playoff positioning and bragging rights in the Augusta area.
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Additional Resources
- Augusta Chronicle: Best Marching Band Poll
- The State: High School Football Updates
- MaxPreps: Augusta Orioles vs Circle Thunderbirds Preview
- WRDW: Westside Defeats Laney – Georgia High School Football
- WRDW: North Augusta Undefeated Season
- Wikipedia: Augusta, Georgia
- Google Search: High School Football Augusta
- Google Scholar: High School Football Augusta
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Google News: Augusta High School Football
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
