A Week of Wins, Signings, and Playoff Victories

As we dive into another thrilling week in local sports, it’s only fitting to start with a huge round of applause for our local student-athletes who are taking their skills to the next level! Pacelli Vikings are leading the way with five athletes committing to college programs: Elsie Berreth and Katie Entlich will continue their soccer careers at the University of North Georgia and the University of North Florida, respectively. Baseball standout Ben Green is headed to Snead State Community College, while McKayla Hosley will join Georgia Southern University’s basketball team, and golfer Asher Miles is off to Arizona Christian University. It’s inspiring to see these young athletes seize opportunities that will shape their futures.

Hardaway High School also had some big signings this week. Akilah Shelton has committed to Hampton University to continue her basketball career, and Mikayla Johnson will be joining the University of New Orleans. It’s a testament to their hard work and determination.

Across town, Carver Tigers’ basketball star Tony Montgomery has signed with Troy University to continue his athletic and academic journey, while track athlete Xayden Hunt, a long jump specialist and sprinter, will head to North Carolina A&T. Congratulations to both of these athletes for their outstanding achievements!

Meanwhile, Columbus High School’s Maya Bagsby is heading to Georgia State to play softball. It’s another example of the excellence coming out of our local high schools, as these athletes work tirelessly to secure their futures while excelling on the field and in the classroom.

In the world of wrestling, Jordan High’s Lady Red Jackets, led by Coach Scott, took home first place at the prestigious Iron Maiden Wrestling Tournament. This victory reflects not only the team’s skill but their grit and determination to push through competition to claim victory.

As for the gridiron, Friday Night Lights brought thrilling playoff action. Carver Tigers made a statement with a dominant 54-7 victory over Therrell County in the state playoffs. The Tigers now await the winner of Ringgold and Washington in the next round, keeping their championship dreams alive. The Central Red Devils also showed their dominance with a solid 41-21 win over Vestavia Hills, advancing to the next round of the playoffs. Unfortunately, Harris County fell short with a 39-3 loss to Creekside, and Spencer Greenwaves were edged out in a tough 49-35 game against Westside. Russell County’s season came to a close after a 45-30 defeat at the hands of Spain Park, but they fought hard until the end.

This week also marked the beginning of one of the most exciting youth football events in the region. The Columbus Youth Football 66th Annual Peanut Bowl is set to take place at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, November 23rd. The first game kicks off at 10 a.m. with 4U Eastway Cherokees vs. Clubview Bulldogs, followed by the 6U Eastway Cherokees vs. South Columbus Raiders at 12 p.m., and 8U Clubview Bulldogs vs. South Columbus Raiders at 2 p.m. The 10U Clubview Bulldogs will battle the South Columbus Raiders at 4 p.m., and the day will wrap up with the 13U Russell County Warriors taking on Eastway Cherokees at 6 p.m. It’s a full day of action-packed football that showcases the future stars of our community. We encourage everyone to come out and support these young athletes as they give it their all on the field.

Looking ahead, we have a busy week filled with postseason games, signings, and the incredible talent of local youth athletes on display. The excitement is only beginning, and we can’t wait to see what’s next. Keep your eyes on these athletes—who knows, the next big star in our community may just be one of them! Let's keep the momentum going as we rally behind our teams and student-athletes, pushing them to greatness.