Valley, AL Sports and More

Columbus area football teams to play GIAA and AHSAA first-round state playoff games

The regular season is over for football in the Georgia Independent Athletic Association and the Alabama High School Athletic Association. So that means it’s time for the state playoffs in the GIAA and AHSAA. The first round of the playoffs starts Friday. And several teams in the Columbus area are involved. GIAA: No. 5 St. Anne-Pacelli at No. 4 First Presbyterian Day The rematch between the Pacelli Vikings (6-4, 2-1) and the FPD Vikings (6-4, 2-2) will be at Viking Field at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Macon. Pacelli defeated FPD 22-21 Aug. 14. Sack Matthew Alexich leads Pacelli with 1,349 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. Senior DJ Colvin leads the team in rushing with 842 yards and six rushing touchdowns, and senior wide receiver Jason Davis has 746 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. On defense for Pacelli, senior linebacker CJ Starr had 121 tackles, and senior defensive end Keyon Williams has 12 quarterback hurries and six sacks. This will be the fourth time in three seasons Pacelli has played FPD. Pacelli leads the series 2-1, according to maxpreps.com. FPD last beat Pacelli 34-14 in 2025 in Macon, and Pacelli beat FPD 18-6 on in 2024 in Columbus. GIAA: No. 6

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

No. 21 Spencer upsets 10th-ranked Westover to improve chances for state playoff berth

In an upset that went down to the last play of the game, the Spencer Greenwave (6-3, 5-2) held on for a 21-18 win against the Westover Patriots (7-3, 5-3) Monday night at Odis Spencer Stadium in Columbus. Spencer’s victory boosted the Greenwave over 10th-ranked Westover into third place in Region 1 of the Georgia High School Association Class 4A. The GHSA’s latest postseason rankings have the Greenwave at No. 21 in Class 4A with one game left in their regular season. The top 32 teams in each classification qualify for the state playoffs. The game was moved to Monday night due to Hurricane Isaias. The original game was scheduled for Oct. 10. Spencer has now won three straight games, including two in a five-day period after the Greenwave defeated Monroe 32-6 Thursday. In the first quarter, Spencer took a 7-0 lead when senior running back Wesley Crawford fumbled into the end zone, and it was recovered by senior fullback Zion Wineglass. Spencer got a big stop on fourth down while Westover was driving, and then the Greenwave was produced a drive of their own. Terrell’s put them in Westover territory, and Spencer led 14-0 at the half. Westover responded

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens turns 42. Here's what's new

Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens returns Nov. 7 for its 42nd running, and this year’s event carries even more significance. The Ledger-Enquirer interviewed Steeplechase executive director Brooke Neville about what will make this year’s race unique and why it’s so important to our community’s history and culture. “There’s nothing quite like watching thoroughbreds charge down the homestretch,” for one, she wrote in an email exchange. It’s also the “spectators cheering from the rail as horses and jockeys compete over the jumps.” Steeplechase is the Chattahoochee Valley’s long-running mix of thoroughbred racing, elaborate tailgates and Southern hospitality, with a corgi race, a tablescape contest and some of the most elaborate hats you’ll see outside of Sundays. This year, organizers are dedicating the course as the Mason Houghland Lampton Steeplechase Track. This honors the man who brought steeplechase racing to Callaway Gardens in 1985 and built it into a tradition now five decades running. Also new, a livestream option. “For the first time,” Neville said, “Steeplechase will be broadcast on YouTube Live, allowing viewers to follow the racing and festivities from wherever they are.” The first of four National Steeplechase Association-sanctioned races begins at 1 p.m., but the tailgating starts when gates open

Columbus, GA · 6d

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Muscogee team eyes region championship in last week of high school football regular season

This is the final week in the regular season for Georgia High School Association football teams. There is still a lot to sort out, especially for teams relying on the GHSA Post Season Ratings (PSR ). The top 32 teams in each classification make it into the postseason. Here are some of the key matchups for Columbus area teams in the final week of the regular season for GHSA football: Carver vs. Worth County The Carver Tigers (5-4, 3-0) take on the Worth County Rams (5-3, 3-0) in an epic Class 3A Region 1 game for the region championship at Odis Spencer Stadium in Columbus at 7 p.m. Friday. This anticipated matchup is between the defending Class 2A state champions (Carver) and the defending Class 1As state champion (Worth County). Both teams come in with a three-game winning streak. The Rams are coming off a bye week and last played at home against Sumter County on Oct. 23, winning 7-3. Worth County is led by senior quarterback Lyndon Worthy, who has 1,579 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. Worth County lost key players to graduation off its 15-0 championship team from last season. Carver, which started the year 1-5, is now

jdledger.com

Softball team headed to Columbus

Jeff Davis High School’s softball team has earned a berth in the 2026 Georgia High School Association Elite 8 Playoff Finals Tournament Oct. 28-31 in Columbus. Coach Brooke Taylor’s charges swept Oglethorpe County, 10-1, 12-4 last Tuesday in the opening round and then upset No. 4 seed Cook High, 6-5, 10-7 Monday in Adel.

Columbus, GA · 6d

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Former Columbus Clingstones executive chef Matt Martin dies after motorcycle accident

Matt Martin, who was the executive chef at Synovus Park (now Pinnacle Park) for the first two seasons of Columbus Clingstones baseball, has died. Martin died Sunday after being in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Mobile, Alabama, for several days following a motorcycle accident, Clingstones general manager Pete Laven told the Ledger-Enquirer. “He was just one of those guys who never met a stranger,” Laven said. “He was a talented chef, but he also was just a gregarious guy. … He loved to go see live music, so those were his two passions: food and music.” Laven credits Martin for helping the Clingstones, the Class AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, elevate the fan experience at their ballpark in Columbus. “He was really a key part of that,” Laven said. “… He was hired by the Oak View Group , our third-party concessionaire, and he made an impact immediately, especially with the Aflac Club and the suites, coming up with those menu s. People these days expect more variety, more unique items throughout the stadium, and he delivered on that.” Funeral arrangements, Martin’s obituary and his age weren’t available before publication. Laven said Martin was working as

cnaw2news.com

Friday Night Lights Forecast: Dry Everywhere, Mid-50s by the Fourth Quarter

What will the weather be at Friday night high school football games around Columbus and Auburn?. Friday night games across west Georgia and east Alabama will be dry and nearly calm, with kickoff temperatures from 59 degrees in Greenville to 65 in Columbus and Phenix City, falling into the mid to upper 50s by the fourth quarter.

Columbus, GA · 5d

couriernews.org

Beyond the Game: Fountain City Classic Volunteer Daniel Williams Reflects on Tradition, Education and Giving Back

For Daniel Williams, the Fountain City Classic represents far more than an annual football rivalry between Fort Valley State University and Albany State University. It is a celebration of education, friendship, community pride and a commitment to giving back. A proud graduate of Fort Valley State University and a retired...

Post-Searchlight

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Bainbridge rolls past Hardaway for fifth region win

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... The Bainbridge Bearcats continued their late-season surge Friday night, overwhelming the Hardaway Hawks 42-14 to secure their fifth Region 1 victory of the season and build momentum heading into the “Border Battle: with the Cairo Syrupmakers. Under head coach Jamey DuBose, Bainbridge wasted...

Bainbridge, GA · 6d

WRBL News 3

Calvary Christian School officials announce new athletics director and director of creative media

The video above is from a previous story. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Officials with Calvary Christian School announced on Monday the appointment of Myles Ivory as its new athletics director and director of creative media. Ivory will lead and oversee the school’s athletic programs while also expanding Calvary’s creative media efforts. These creative efforts will […]

jdledger.com

Lady Jackets heading to Columbus

Jeff Davis High’s softball team stunned Cook County Monday on the Lady Hornets’ home field, sweeping the 2nd round best-of-3 playoff series 6-5 and 10-7. The wins came in exciting fashion as Ava Bohannon hit a 2-run homer in the top of the 7th for the 6-5 come-from-behind win in the opener, and Savanna Robinette blasted a 3-run, walk-off homer in the bottom of the 7th to end the 2-game sweep.

Hazlehurst, GA · 6d

thecutoffnews.com

Shelton State’s Flag Football Scoring Spree; Sets Single Game Scoring Record

TUSCALOOSA - The Shelton State flag football team scored 111 points in wins of Chattahoochee Valley Community College and Calhoun Community College at Roy Johnson Stadium Sunday. Shelton State defeated Chattahoochee Valley 65-0 in the opener, setting the program record for most points in a single game. The previous record...

Phenix City, AL · 7d

WTVM

Columbus State’s Promise Idiaru returns to the court after battling stage 4 cancer

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) -At 6-foot-10, Columbus State basketball player Promise Idiaru has the size to make an impact on the court. But after being diagnosed with stage 4 B-cell lymphoma, his biggest battle had nothing to do with basketball. “I thought I was going to die. I thought it was...

opelikaobserver.com

Malone powers Glenwood past Loachapoka

SMITHS STATION — Glenwood School rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Loachapoka High School 27-21 in overtime Oct. 29, giving the Gators (5-5) a win on senior night in their final guaranteed game at Sammy Howard Field. Trey Claridy scored on a keeper with 26 seconds remaining to...

Loachapoka, AL · 7d

asugoldenrams.com

Loyd Late Catches and Opportunistic Rams Overtake Panthers

ATLANTA, Ga. – Sometimes you need a special day from an unlikely source and Saturday on the Panther Stadium red turf was one of those. Cameran Loyd made his presence felt with three acrobatic catches including a one-handed game-winning touchdown catch along with opportunistic Albany State special teams and a trio of interceptions in a 21-17 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football victory over Clark Atlanta.

Atlanta, GA · 9d

wtoc.com

Three area softball teams finish as State Runners-Up

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTOC) -We entered the week with 12 area schools in the fight and entered Championship Saturday with six local teams remaining for a GHSA softball state title. In 6A, South Effingham beat Lassiter 11-7 to advance to the Championship game, a rematch from last season’s title game with Creekview awaited. The Lady Stangs led most of the game 3-1, gave up the lead in the bottom of the 7th. Needed an extra frame when South Effingham regained a 4-3 advantage before Creekview walked-off the Lady Stangs 5-4. South Effingham State Runners-Up in class 6A. “Never giving an inch after losing the first game,” said Coach Newland. “Incredibly proud of them and I’m filled with gratitude to have been here to be part of it.”

Columbus, GA · 9d

coosavalleynews.com

Trion Lady Bulldogs Capture Class A State Softball Championship

The Trion Lady Bulldogs claimed the 2026 Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class A State Softball Championship Saturday, defeating Wheeler County 6-2 at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus. Coached by Trent Stamey, Trion won four consecutive games during the Elite Eight competition to secure the state title and...

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Alabama Reflector

Former Tuberville player joins Doug Jones on campaign trail in Auburn

AUBURN — Former Auburn University football player Victor Horn joined Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones at a campaign stop in Lee County, his opponent’s home county. More than 300 people attended the rally as Jones drew comparisons between himself and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican nominee. Jones played clips of Tuberville’s speeches on the […]

Auburn, AL · 11d

FloSports

partner publisher · 2.9K followers

East Alabama Reworks Track Ahead Of National 100

Drivers attending this weekend’s National 100 at East Alabama Motor Speedway will be greeted by a new surface and redefined layout at the 3/8-mile Phenix City oval. Promoters are hopeful the work done over the past three weeks will somewhat slow down lap times to improve side-by-side racing and allow for multigroove racing during a three-day weekend that includes Friday’s $10,000-to-win Super Late Model opener and Saturday’s $25,000-to-win finale. Watch Live 2026 National 100 at East Alabama Motor Speedway The track hired Opelika, Ala.-based Evergreen Siteworks to help with the project that brought in more than 180 truckloads of clay from a site an hour north near Alexander City, Ala. The firm also used modern methods to get a better baseline on the layout of the track that had previously been manicured with “human-operated tractor and with the human eye,” operations manager Dalton Antley said. “Over the years we've taken feedback from drivers about certain dishes or bowls or grooves that just become too dominant and doesn't really allow for the best racing all night long,” Antley said. “So we had it surveyed from a professional dirtworks company we have here in town, we partnered with them on some geothermal

Phenix City, AL · 11d

tdalabamamag.com