Time Out with Jerome Bryant

Friday night lights, fierce rivalries, and championship energy filled the air across the Chattahoochee Valley this past week as local programs delivered emotion, grit, and greatness. From the Hardaway Hawks honoring a fallen coach to the Central Lady Red Devils rewriting the record books, it was another unforgettable week in high school sports.

The week kicked off under the Thursday night lights with the Hardaway Hawks facing the Jordan Red Jackets in a matchup between two hungry teams chasing their first win of the season. But for Hardaway, this game meant more than just football. Coming off the heartbreaking loss of their beloved coach, Venson Maddox, the Hawks took the field with heavy hearts and unwavering purpose. What followed was an emotional performance filled with passion and pride as Hardaway dominated from start to finish, cruising to a 48-7 victory. It was a statement win — one built on heart, brotherhood, and the desire to honor their coach’s legacy the best way they knew how: by playing their hearts out. The Red Jackets, still searching for their rhythm, will now turn their attention to Carver this Thursday at Odis Spencer Stadium.

Friday night brought more fireworks as the Columbus Blue Devils extended their winning streak to four games with a commanding 40-7 win over the Kendrick Cherokees. The Devils have been in demolition mode all season, with four of their victories coming by more than 30 points. Leading the charge was the dynamic duo of Rayshaun Glover, who rushed for 47 yards and two touchdowns, and Michael Fox, who hauled in 83 receiving yards to keep Kendrick’s secondary on its heels. On defense, Columbus was relentless — intercepting two passes, including a pick-six from Joel Fordjour, while Andrew Smith IV added another takeaway. With the win, Columbus improved to 7-1, proving once again why they’re one of the area’s most complete teams. Kendrick, now 4-4, will look to bounce back when they face Shaw this Friday night.

Over at Otis Spencer Stadium, the Spencer Greenwaves rebounded from a tough loss to Sumter County with a hard-fought 31-26 victory over the Shaw Raiders. The win moved Spencer back to .500 at 4-4, while Shaw’s struggles continued, dropping them to 1-7 and extending their losing streak to four. The Greenwaves displayed grit and determination throughout, finding ways to make big plays when it mattered most.

Meanwhile, across the river in Phenix City, Central High continued its dominant run. The Red Devils extended their winning streak to three games with a statement 42-6 win over Opelika. Running back Jayshaun Woodhouse was electric — shredding the defense for 284 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including an explosive 84-yard dash that left the crowd in awe. With the victory, Central improved to 8-1 on the season, cementing their spot among Alabama’s elite. Opelika, now 6-3, will have to regroup after consecutive losses. Central will face JAG this week in what’s expected to be another showcase of their power and precision.

But the dominance in Phenix City isn’t limited to the boys. The Central Lady Red Devils Flag Football Team continues to make history. With their latest win, they’ve now claimed 50 straight victories — yes, 50 in a row — while securing their fourth consecutive Region Championship (2022–2025). Ranked No. 1 in Alabama and No. 3 nationally by USA Today, the Lady Red Devils stand at a perfect 13-0 record, outscoring opponents 357–25 on the season — an astonishing 1.9 points allowed per game. Their combination of skill, discipline, and leadership has made them one of the most dominant programs in the country.

Not far behind, the Carver Lady Tigers have been clawing their way through the competition, shutting out Valdosta 14-0 before grinding out a 19-12 win over Lowndes in back-to-back victories. Coach Felisha Brown and the Shaw Lady Raiders also opened their season strong, posting a 21-0 shutout over Spencer and a 45-0 rout of Stewart County to give Coach Brown her first two career wins. The Lady Raiders will now face the red-hot Carver Lady Tigers (4-2) in what’s shaping up to be a must-see showdown.

The action doesn’t stop there — this week’s local schedule is packed with big matchups. On October 21st, flag football returns to Odis Spencer Field with Northside, Kendrick, Carver, Stewart County, Hardaway, and Shaw all taking the turf starting at 5 p.m. The following day, GHSA Softball Playoffs heat up as Hardaway, Columbus, and Shaw take the diamond for critical doubleheaders, while flag football continues across the region. Thursday, October 23rd, features a full slate of football with Hardaway hosting Sumter County and Carver taking on Jordan, alongside more flag matchups at Terry Gaines and other venues. Then Friday night, it’s another round of showdowns, highlighted by Spencer vs Columbus, Northside vs Jonesboro, and Kendrick vs Shaw under the lights.

And to cap off the week, there’s a new state champion in town — the Calvary Christian Lady Knights. In a thrilling two-game playoff series, Calvary avenged an earlier loss to Strong Rock Christian with a clutch 5-3 victory to capture the state title. After dropping the first game by that same score, the Knights refused to fold, rallying to finish the season 26-3 and winning 10 of their last 11 contests. A fitting ending to a championship-caliber season for one of the area’s toughest programs.

From emotional triumphs to record-setting dominance, this week reminded us why local sports matter — they bring out the best in athletes, coaches, and communities. Whether it’s honoring a fallen leader, chasing perfection, or capturing a long-awaited championship, the passion in Columbus and Phenix City continues to burn bright. And as the fall season rolls on, one thing’s for sure: the best stories in sports are being written right here at home.