(Columns may contain opinion.)
High School football is just around the corner. With many players graduating and some coaching changes around the CSRA, there is a lot of uncertainty of who will be top contenders this season. Despite that, there are always matchups fans look forward to each season. Here are my ten CSRA high school football games I am intrigued to see in 2025.
Greenbrier at Harlem Aug. 15
A game that came down to the wire and was one of the best games we have ever seen. Harlem defeated Greenbrier 38-37 after Coach Sean Tiernan and the Wolfpack decided to go for the win in overtime but fell just short.
Although the Wolfpack fell in overtime to start last season, they were able to finish 4-6, which was their best record since 2021. Greenbrier will look to replace quarterback Brayden Stephens as he transferred to Oconee County High School for his senior year. Second year Head Coach Sean Tiernan will lead again headed into the 2025 season. Some notable seniors/returning players for the Wolfpack include running back/linebacker Beau Polcha, safety Verkaree Guyton, linebacker Cole Trupp, wide receiver Elijah Harris, junior safety/wide receiver Adison Johnson and others.
Head Coach Mark Boiter and the Bulldogs are coming off a 10-2 season and a region championship. Harlem, just like many others, will look to replace talent that graduated last season. Harlem is led by senior quarterback Mercer Barton, wide receiver Jayden Futrell, Linebacker Levi Rickerson and more.
Thomson at North Augusta Aug. 22
Both the Bulldogs and Yellowjackets have been one of the contending teams in the CSRA the past couple of seasons. North Augusta defeated Thomson 25-18 to open up last season.
North Augusta finished 12-2 last season after losing in a close state semifinal game.
Senior running back Mike Doe is expected have another big year for the Yellowjackets after having over 2000 all-purpose yards last season.
After beginning the season 0-2, Thomson won seve consecutive games and finished 9-4 last season. The Bulldogs lost in a shootout to rival Burke County in the quarterfinals last season. The Bulldogs are led by star senior athlete Jaris Sinkfield and others.
Hephzibah at Laney Aug. 22
Hephzibah and Laney football will once again battle in an early season matchup. The Wildcats defeated the Rebels 30-21 last season. Laney has defeated Hephzibah in their last three matchups.
The Rebels struggled last season, finishing 2-8 last season under Coach Daniel Dorsey. Hephzibah is led by one of the best offensive linemen in the state in senior Solomon Mathis. Mathis recently committed to the University of Cincinnati but does have offers from Georgia and Florida as well.
Laney is looking for its fifth consecutive winning season as they finished with a 7-5 record last year. Similar to Hephzibah, Laney is also led by a few top offensive linemen, including senior tackle Johnathan Jones.
Evans at Lakeside Sept. 5
This is one of many recurring rivalry matchups that I will always be intrigued by. Lakeside shut out Evans 21-0 last season, but the Panthers have lost a lot of players and there have been many changes for both teams, I am very interested to see which team will rise. It will also be now a family rivalry as it will be a battle between the brothers-in-law — Lakeside Coach Brett Johnson and Evans Coach Lee Hutto.
Johnson is the new coach for Lakeside after taking over for Steve Hibbits who is now the head football coach at Aiken High School. Johnson will have an uphill battle as the Panthers lost 20 plus seniors from last year that led Lakeside to a 10-2 record. Seniors Saquan Marshall, Tristen Jones, Charlie Bowers and other young teammates will look to step up.
Evans’ football has brought in a very experienced head coach in Lee Hutto. Hutto coached Westside for the last four seasons. He has 24 appearances in the Georgia High School Football State playoffs, eight region championships and one state championship. Evans finished 5-5 last season and also have some ground to make up after losing some of top graduates, one being now Georgia offensive lineman Mason Short. Senior running back/linebacker Breyden Johnson, quarterback Tripp Furgeison, running back Jeremy Howard, linebacker Jabraylon Kennedy are some of the upperclassmen to watch out for on the Knights in 2025.
Westside at Aquinas Sept. 19
A region matchup that has been close the last two seasons. Westside defeated Aquinas 21-16 in a close game last year.
Coach Cedric Mason is now the head coach for the Patriots after former coach Lee Hutto accepted the job at Evans. Westside had its best season in recent years, finishing with a 8-3 record. Senior wide receiver/defensive back Joshua Crawford, quarterback Jaylen Stone and others will look to stand out in 2025.
Christopher Rickerson/Augusta Good News
Aquinas is led by the one and only Coach James Leonard, who is in his 13th season at Aquinas. The Fightin’ Irish finished 8-5 last season, and Leonard was able to earn his 100th career win. A big question for Aquinas will be at the quarterback position as Jim Franklin has graduated and now is at Davidson College. Despite losing their star quarterback, the Irish do have some other star talent in senior wide receiver Jack Rhodes, safety/wide receiver Zion Allen and more young talent.
Academy of Richmond County at Cross Creek Sept. 19
Some may think this game will not be close and not interesting at all. ARC may dominate this game, and I wouldn’t be surprised, but that does not mean I am not excited to see the Razorbacks host a meaningful region game against a county rival.
Coach Ezzard Horn is getting ready for his second season at Cross Creek. The Razorbacks finished 1-9 last season and have not had a winning season since 2016. One unique thing about across Creek is they have a starting freshman quarterback. Freshman Jordan Kyler has been named the starting quarterback for the Razorbacks and will be a player to watch this season. Senior linebackers Jordan Anderson and Ronaldo Jones, along with senior transfer defensive back Leon Pierre-Louis are the upperclassmen to watch out for on Cross Creek.
ARC is also under a second-year head coach in Keenan Grissett. The Musketeers finished 2-8 last season, their fourth consecutive losing season. ARC is also led by a young quarterback in sophomore Carson Hand. Hand is already recognized as one of the CSRA’s top quarterbacks and some scouts have kept an eye on him at 6’2 190 pounds. The Razorbacks are led by seniors in wide receiver Ben Wright, linebacker Marty Thomas, wide receiver Corray Bryant Jr. and many other talented upperclassmen.
Lincoln County at Strom Thurmond Sept. 26
Due to Hurricane Helene, this game was canceled last season. This should be an exciting game with two winning teams that have had a lot of success.
Lincoln County finished 11-1, losing in the Class A Division II State Playoffs quarterfinals. With a lot of returning talent, the Red Devils are expected to have success and possibly make a run at a state title. Captains for Lincoln County include Quarterback/safety Mekhi Wade, running back/linebacker Kelby Glaze, running back/tight end Christian Elam, and wide receiver Thomas McWhorter.
Strom Thurmond finished 6-4 in 2024, losing in the first round of the AA South Carolina State Playoffs. The Rebels will look took continue and possibly further their success with a lot of returning talent, including junior quarterback Bri’Shaun Lee.
Burke County at Thomson Oct. 3
This game might be the biggest rivalry in the CSRA. Burke County defeated Thomson twice last season in two unbelievable games, the last game being a 49-42 win in the quarterfinals of the State Playoffs. I have no doubt this will be another nailbiter in 2025.
Burke County finished 13-2 last season and made it to the AA state championship where they lost 52-14 to Carver. The Bears are led by star senior quarterback Sean Vandiver, along with plenty of other talent on both sides of the ball.
North Augusta at Midland Valley Oct. 31
Another game that has come down to the wire in recent years and is a must-see rivalry matchup. North Augusta defeated Midland Valley 45-21 last season after the Mustangs down year.
After going 12-1 in 2023, Midland Valley finished last season with a 5-6 losing record but were 5-2 in the region. Despite not the best season, Midland Valley is still full of young returning talent. A couple of names to watch out for are senior running back Preston Smith, defensive end Bryston Newton, safety Charles Richardson and others.
ARC at Aquinas Oct. 31
A rivalry that dates back to the 1940s when Richmond Academy and Boys Catholic High School football teams would play football games on Thanksgiving Day with a capacity crowd. Aquinas did defeat ARC 33-0 last season, but with a new quarterback at helm for Aquinas, the future remains to be seen.
An honorable mention to all the other CSRA teams out there as I’m definitely excited to see any game I can and am ready for football!
Sportswriter Christopher Rickerson is an Augusta University graduate who has covered area sports for publications including Augusta University‘s Bell Ringer and Augusta Good News. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News’ free weekly newsletter here.
