Time-Out: Night Lights Shine Bright in the Valley

This past week in Columbus was one that reminded fans why local sports are the heartbeat of this city. From the historic triumphs on the flag football field to statement wins under the Friday night lights, it was a showcase of pride, passion, and pure athletic excellence. Every whistle, every play, and every victory told a story of determination and community spirit — the kind that defines Columbus sports.

The Fort Middle School Lady Patriots etched their names into the record books with a moment that will be remembered for years to come, winning the first-ever Muscogee County Girls Flag Football Championship. The Lady Patriots were dominant from start to finish, completing a flawless 7-0 season and securing their place in local sports history. They punched their ticket to the championship game with a convincing 14-0 semifinal win over Aaron Cohn, showcasing the kind of defensive toughness and discipline that has carried them all year. In the title game, Fort faced off against a resilient Midland Lady Jaguars team, but the Patriots’ composure and execution proved too much to overcome. With a 7-0 victory, Fort Middle hoisted the trophy and completed their perfect season. Leading the way was Double Coverage Player of the Game, Germanee Clayton, whose leadership and two-way brilliance set the tone all season.

Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Devils were out to make a statement of their own. After falling to Greenville earlier this season, the Devils came into Thursday night’s rematch with a chip on their shoulder and delivered a performance that left no room for doubt. Under the bright lights, Columbus dominated from the opening kickoff, cruising to a 42-8 victory and improving to 5-1 on the year. Running back Rayshaun Glover exploded for 83 yards and two touchdowns on just five carries, while quarterback Michael Fox added two touchdown passes to keep the Greenville defense guessing all night. The Blue Devils’ offense was sharp and balanced, but it was their defensive intensity that set the tone — swarming to the ball, forcing turnovers, and never letting Greenville find their rhythm. With momentum now on their side, Columbus looks ahead to a Thursday night clash with Hardaway, a matchup that could showcase just how dangerous this Blue Devils team can be when everything is clicking.

Across town, the Carver Tigers continued to flex their dominance as one of Georgia’s premier football programs, rolling through Shaw with a 48-0 homecoming victory that extended their winning streak to 20 straight games. The Tigers were unstoppable from the jump, asserting control on both sides of the ball and reminding everyone why they’ve been the standard in the region. Running back Kelston Tarver led the offensive charge once again, rushing for 117 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries — his fifth straight 100-yard performance. Freshman standout Zach Watts electrified the crowd with another punt return touchdown, his fourth of the season, proving that his playmaking ability is something special. On defense, Carver was relentless, recording 19 sacks — a staggering total that left Shaw completely overwhelmed. Leading that effort was defensive powerhouse Jaiden Taylor, who tallied four sacks of his own. The Tigers’ mix of speed, strength, and discipline has made them one of the toughest teams to face in the state. Next up for Carver is a defensive battle against Sumter County, where two elite defenses will collide in what could be one of the most physical matchups of the season.

Over at St. Anne-Pacelli, the Vikings found their groove again, picking up a much-needed 24-7 win over Calvary Christian. Pacelli’s offense came alive thanks to the dynamic backfield duo of Donovan “DJ” Colvin and Cameron Carino, who combined for more than 220 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Colvin’s burst and Carino’s power gave the Vikings balance and control throughout the game. Defensively, Keyon Williams continued his outstanding season, recording 2.5 sacks and making life miserable for the Calvary backfield. Despite the loss, Calvary’s Jamar Williams was a bright spot, finishing with 106 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. The win improved Pacelli’s record to 3-4 and gave the Vikings some much-needed confidence as they prepare to face Brookstone. Calvary, now 5-2, will look to regroup and get back in the win column when they take on Westfield in another physical matchup.

Friday night also belonged to the Kendrick Cherokees, who turned in one of their best performances of the season with a dominant 40-0 shutout win over Jordan. The victory marked Kendrick’s fifth straight over the Red Jackets and moved them above .500 for the season at 4-3. The Cherokees came out fast and never looked back, forcing turnovers, capitalizing on short fields, and executing on both sides of the ball. Jordan, still searching for their first win, dropped to 0-7 but continues to fight hard each week. Elsewhere around the area, Spencer fell to Sumter County 51-14, Smiths Station edged out Valley 42-32, and Central continued its winning ways with a commanding 36-0 shutout over Auburn.

On the softball field, the Shaw Lady Raiders continued their scorching form with another dominant victory, blanking Jordan 17-0. The Lady Raiders have been unstoppable lately, recording their 13th win by nine or more runs this season. Pitcher Katlyn Moss was in complete control, striking out seven batters in three innings without allowing a hit, walk, or run. She also contributed at the plate with two doubles and two RBIs. Alexis McClain sparked the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, swiping three bases, while Michayla Bledsoe added a home run and four RBIs. With five wins in their last six games, Shaw has improved to 15-9 and looks ready to make a deep postseason run.

As we head deeper into October, the energy across Columbus sports continues to rise. Rivalries are intensifying, playoff hopes are building, and every game carries that extra sense of urgency that makes this time of year so special. From volleyball to softball to football, local athletes are not just competing — they’re excelling, representing their schools and city with pride.

Here’s a look at this week’s upcoming matchups across the city:
Monday, October 6th

• Volleyball: Northside @ Beauregard (5:30 PM), Kendrick vs Shaw @ Columbus (5:00 PM), Hardaway @ Columbus (6:30 PM)
• Softball: Hardaway @ Calvary (5:00 PM), Manchester @ Kendrick (5:30 PM), Shaw @ Brookstone (5:30 PM)
• Middle School Cross Country: MCSD Championships @ Kinnett (5:30 PM)

Tuesday, October 7th

• Softball: Hardaway @ Sumter County (5:00 PM), Jordan @ Manchester (5:00 PM), Central Carrollton @ Northside (5:30 PM), Shaw @ Columbus (5:30 PM), Carver @ Kendrick (5:30 PM)
• Cross Country: MCSD High School Meet (5:45 PM / 6:15 PM)
• Flag Football: Carver @ Pacelli (6:00 PM)

Wednesday, October 8th

• Volleyball: Region 1AA Championship @ Columbus (5:00 PM), Region 3AAAA Tournament — Northside @ Starr’s Mill (5:30 PM)
• Softball: Peach County @ Northside (5:00 PM), Kendrick @ Sumter County (5:30 PM), Shaw @ Callaway (5:30 PM)
• Flag Football: Carver @ Brookstone (5:30 PM), Pacelli @ Jordan (6:15 PM)

Thursday, October 9th

• Football: Columbus vs Hardaway @ Kinnett (7:00 PM), Northside @ Griffin (7:30 PM)

Friday, October 10th

• Football: Carver @ Sumter County (7:30 PM), St. Anne-Pacelli @ Brookstone (7:30 PM), Calvary Christian @ Westfield (7:30 PM)