Columbus Youth Sports Season Kicks Off with Outstanding Achievements and Anticipated High School Matches

By Jerome Bryant

Pony Club Championships

Excitement is in the air as our local athletes continue to achieve remarkable feats and prepare for the upcoming season. One of the standout stories is Columbus St. Luke student Lucy May McDaniel, who recently competed at the United States Pony Club Championships.

McDaniel won her overall division in Tetrathlon, a challenging event that serves as a forerunner to the modern pentathlon. The competition spanned three days and included riding, 10-meter pistol shooting, swimming, and cross-country running. 

Athletes from across the country, including states like New York, Maryland, Wisconsin, Michigan, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Virginia, California, Ohio, Indiana, Florida, Alabama and Georgia, participated in this prestigious event. 

Congratulations to Lucy May McDaniel for her outstanding performance!

Columbus Youth Football

Meanwhile, registration for Columbus Youth Football and Cheerleading is open until August 10. Interested participants ages 4 to 14 years old can register online at columbusyouthfootball.com. Coaches and volunteers also can register online.

The registration fee is $50, plus a league fee that varies depending on the league. 

There are only two verification days left, August 3 and August 10, from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. at Midland Middle School, 6990 Warm Springs Road, Midland, Ga. 31820. 

The season kicks off on September 21 at A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium, 600 4th St., Columbus, Ga. 31901.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a thrilling football season!

High School Football

The much-anticipated Friday Night Lights for high school football kicks off on August 16 with four exciting home games in the city. 

The Pacelli Vikings will face Stratford Academy at Pacelli High School, 2020 Kay Circle, Columbus, Ga., 31907, at 7 p.m. 

The Vikings finished last year with an 8-3 overall record and a 3-1 region record, but narrowly missed winning the 2023 GIAA Championship against the Brookstone Cougars with a score of 13-10. This year, they are determined to reclaim their place at the top.

Calvary Christian Knights will host Terrell County Greenwave at 7:30 p.m. at home, 7556 Old Moon Road, Columbus, Ga. 31909. Last year, Calvary narrowly missed the 2023 GAPPS championship, losing 21-18 to Skipstone Academy of Griffin, Ga., after being stopped at the 1-yard line. Finishing with a 7-5 overall record and a 3-0 region record.

The Carver Tigers are set to take on Whitewater Wildcats of Fayetteville, Ga., at 7 p.m. at Odis Spencer Stadium, 4150 Cusseta Road, Columbus, Ga. 31903. 

The Tigers finished last season with a 10-4 overall record and a perfect 5-0 region record.

This year, they moved to a new region – AA Region 1 – and are ranked No. 1. 

Their competitors include Columbus, Hardaway, Jordan, Kendrick, Shaw, Spencer and Sumter County. 

Another exciting matchup: Northside Patriots facing the Shaw Raiders at 7 p.m. at Kinnett Stadium, 7610 N. Stadium Dr., Columbus, Ga. 31909. Shaw will be the home team.

The Patriots concluded last season with a 6-5 overall record and a 2-2 region record, while the Raiders finished with a 4-7 overall record and a 1-3 region record. 

This North Side battle promises to be a thrilling encounter!

Here’s the rest of the Friday Night Lights schedule for August 16th. 

Columbus Blue Devils vs. Miller County, Miss., in Mississippi, at 7:30 p.m.

Spencer Greenwave vs. Dooly County Bobcats in Vienna, Ga., at 7:30 p.m.

Harris County Tigers vs. Manchester Blue Devils in Manchester, Ga., at 7:30 p.m.

Kendrick Cherokees vs. Walker Wolverines in Marietta, Ga., at 7 p.m.

Brookstone Cougars vs. Tattnall Square Academy Trojans in Macon, Ga., at 7:30 p.m.

As our local athletes prepare for another exciting season, let’s come together to support and cheer them on. Whether it’s youth football or high school showdowns, the spirit of competition and community is what makes our local sports scene so vibrant. 

Stay tuned for more updates and mark your calendars for these exciting events. 

See you at the games!