Time-Out: Muscogee County Football Heats Up

The whistles are echoing across the fields, the bleachers are buzzing, and the smell of fresh turf and Friday night concessions hangs in the air. Football season is officially in full swing in Muscogee County. From the grit and grind of girls’ flag football to the high-octane action under the Friday night lights, this past week gave us everything—overtime thrillers, defensive dominance, offensive fireworks, and a few statement victories that could shape the season ahead.

Girls’ Flag Football Steals the Spotlight

The Muscogee County Girls’ Flag Football league opened the season with energy and drama, proving once again that these athletes bring the same intensity and heart as the boys on Friday nights.

At Rothschild, Amira Fitzpatrick gave fans a highlight to remember. With defenders chasing, she broke loose for a 30-yard touchdown sprint that brought the crowd to its feet. That score capped off a commanding 20-0 shutout for the Lady Falcons over the Faith Lady Bears. Fitzpatrick’s burst wasn’t just a big play—it was a statement: Rothschild has athletes who can change the game in an instant.

Over at Aaron Cohn, the Lady Panthers and Baker squared off in one of the week’s most thrilling battles. The game stretched into overtime, with neither team willing to give an inch. That’s when Aubrey Bell delivered the dagger—a powerful, game-winning touchdown run that secured Aaron Cohn’s first victory of the season, 12-6. It was a gritty win that spoke volumes about the resilience of this squad.

Elsewhere, defense reigned supreme. The Arnold Lady Rams eked out a 6-0 victory over Blackmon Road, holding their ground in a physical showdown. Meanwhile, the Fort Lady Patriots proved why they’re quickly becoming the team to beat, improving to 3-0 after a decisive 15-6 win over Double Churches. Fort has built early momentum, and their mix of speed, skill, and discipline has them looking like one of the top contenders this season.

And the action isn’t slowing down. This Wednesday, September 3, Terry Gaines Field will play host to a three-game slate:

• 5:00 PM – Midland vs. Rothschild
• 6:00 PM – Eddy vs. Rothschild
• 7:00 PM – Midland vs. East Columbus

Meanwhile at Kinnett Stadium, fans can catch a triple-header of their own: Aaron Cohn vs. Arnold, followed by Blackmon Road vs. Aaron Cohn, and wrapping up with Blackmon Road vs. Richards. Week by week, these games continue to prove that girls’ flag football in Muscogee County is as exciting, competitive, and emotional as anything under the Friday night lights.

Friday Night Lights: High School Football Roundup

At Memorial Stadium, the Carver Tigers lit up the 63rd Annual Heritage Bowl, steamrolling Spencer 48-0. Freshman quarterback Sebastian Heard continues to grow into his role, tossing three touchdown passes to bring his season tally to five. In the backfield, Tarver found the end zone twice, giving him four scores on the season, while Caslin showed his versatility with both a rushing and receiving touchdown. Add in Watts’ third touchdown of the year, and Carver’s offense looks like a machine. But perhaps most impressive? The defense, which pitched a shutout and suffocated Spencer from start to finish.

The Central Red Devils, ranked No. 2 in Alabama, also put the state on notice. Opening their season against Pinson Valley, they delivered a ruthless 59-16 victory. Freshman standout Braylen Averett caught a touchdown pass to announce his arrival, while the rest of the squad dominated every phase of the game. Central looks every bit the part of a championship contender, and if they keep playing at this level, the No. 1 ranking could be within reach.

In Smiths Station, the Panthers made an early-season statement of their own. They shut out Shaw 24-0, locking down the Raiders and improving to 1-0. On the flip side, Shaw fell to 0-2, having scored only 8 total points while surrendering 55 through two games. The Panthers look poised to surprise this year, while Shaw has an uphill climb to right the ship.

The Russell County Warriors came out firing, led by a monster performance from quarterback Bryson Riggins. He was nearly unstoppable, throwing for 303 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 62 more yards and another score. With five total touchdowns, Riggins powered the Warriors to a 42-13 win over Carroll Ozark, showing that Russell County may have one of the most explosive offenses in the area.

Not to be outdone, the Brookstone Cougars stayed perfect at 3-0 after outlasting Valwood in a 51-37 shootout. Quarterback Branch Broughton threw four touchdowns, while defensive star Kingston Terry delivered a game-sealing pick-six. Brookstone’s ability to score in bunches—and come up with timely defensive plays—has them looking like a team built to last deep into the season.

Looking Ahead: Week 3 Matchups

The excitement continues with another packed schedule of games:

Thursday, August 28

• 7:00 PM – Hardaway vs. Greenville @ Kinnett
• 7:00 PM – Jordan vs. Chattahoochee County @ Odis Spencer

Friday, August 29

• 7:00 PM – Columbus vs. Randolph Clay @ Kinnett
• 7:00 PM – Carver vs. Harris County @ Odis Spencer
• 7:30 PM – Northside @ Northgate
• 7:30 PM – Kendrick @ Crawford County
• 7:30 PM – Carver @ Lovett
• 7:30 PM – Shaw @ Athens Academy

Double Coverage Top Ten – Week 2 Rankings

The season is heating up quickly, and our rankings highlight the hottest teams in the Valley right now:

1. Carver Tigers (2-0) – The champs are cruising, outscoring opponents 99-25. Until someone knocks them off, they’re the gold standard.
2. Central Red Devils (1-0) – A dominant start. A win over The First Academy could vault them to the top.
3. Russell County Warriors (1-0) – Riggins and the offense are firing on all cylinders.
4. Harris County Tigers (1-1) – Bounced back after a tough loss, but remain a contender.
5. Northside Patriots (1-0) – Balanced and dangerous, ready to climb higher.
6. Kendrick Cherokees (2-0) – Grinding out wins and showing serious toughness.
7. Smiths Station Panthers (1-0) – Surprise of the year so far, and that defense is for real.
8. Brookstone Cougars (3-0) – Still perfect and brimming with confidence.
9. Calvary Christian Knights (1-0) – Flying under the radar but quietly impressive.
10. Columbus Blue Devils (1-0) – Off to a strong start and looking to keep momentum going.

Final Whistle

From the excitement of girls’ flag football to the fireworks under the Friday night lights, Muscogee County football is delivering week after week. Rising stars are making names for themselves, powerhouse programs are flexing their dominance, and surprise teams are shaking up expectations. The season is still young, but one thing is clear: in Muscogee County and beyond, football is alive and well. And if the first few weeks are any indication, fans are in for a thrilling ride this fall.