Time-Out: Friday Night Lights Ignite the Fall!

The cool autumn breeze, the smell of fresh-cut grass, and the glow of stadium lights—nothing beats Friday Night Lights in Georgia! This week delivered all the thrills and heart-pounding action that make high school football special.

Harris County v. Carver

Harris County’s Hawks stole the show, improving to a perfect 3-0 on the season with a bruising 15-6 victory over the Carver Tigers. It was a game that showcased grit, toughness and the kind of defense that wins championships.

Harris County was a wall on defense, smothering Carver’s offensive rhythm all night long. From the opening whistle, the Hawks applied constant pressure on Carver’s quarterback, forcing rushed throws and bottling up the Tigers' playmakers.

Every time Carver seemed to find a spark, Harris County’s defense snuffed it out.

Still, the Tigers managed to scrape together just 6 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough to overcome the relentless Hawks.

This victory sends a clear message: Harris County isn’t just here to compete, they’re here to dominate. With a balanced attack on both sides of the ball, the Hawks look like one of the strongest contenders in the state.

Shaw v. Athens Academy

In contrast, the Shaw Raiders had a night to forget against Athens Academy. Despite their efforts, the Raiders couldn’t slow down the relentless Spartans, who seemed unstoppable on offense.

Shaw struggled to find an answer to the high-powered attack, ultimately suffering a tough 48-14 loss.

The defeat drops the Raiders to 1-2 on the season; but it’s still early, and they’ll be eager to regroup and bounce back in their next matchup.

Hardaway v. Greenville

Meanwhile, it was a night of celebration for the Hardaway Hawks as Coach Ryan McKenzie notched his first win of the season—and what a win it was! In a dramatic 19-18 showdown against Greenville, the game came down to the wire.

It was a back-and-forth battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. With McKenzie securing his first victory at Hardaway, the Hawks have newfound momentum to carry them rest of the season.

Chattahoochee County v. Jordan

Over in Chattahoochee County, the Panthers made a resounding statement with a crushing 54-7 win over Jordan. From start to finish, Chattahoochee County dominated every facet of the game, proving they’re not a team to be taken lightly.

With their high-octane offense and lockdown defense, the Panthers look poised for a big season ahead.

Final Scores – Week 3 Recap:

• Crawford County 24, Kendrick 7
• Lovett 46, Spencer 23
• Harris County 15, Carver 6
• Eufaula 34, Russell County 21
• Chattahoochee County 54, Jordan 7
• Pacelli 18, First Presbyterian Day 6
• Northside 22, Northgate 0
• Athens Academy 48, Shaw 14
• Mount De Sales 7, Calvary 6
• Glenwood 49, Elba 22
• Randolph-Clay 30, Columbus 8
• Hardaway 19, Greenville 18
• Central 30, Lutheran North 12
• Valley 36, Smiths Station 8
• Flint River 27, Skipstone 6

Team of the Week: Central Red Devils

All eyes remain on the Central Red Devils, who have firmly established themselves as the team to beat in Alabama. The defending state champions sit at a perfect 2-0 after dismantling Pinson Valley with a jaw-dropping 61-14 victory and following it up with a solid 30-12 win over Lutheran North. Their balanced attack and ferocious defense have made them nearly unstoppable, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. Central will next face Smiths Station in a highly anticipated Thursday night matchup under the lights. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., and you can bet the Red Devils will be looking to continue their dominance.

Upcoming Games to Watch – Softball and Cross-Country:

This week isn’t just about football. Our local softball teams are ready to hit the diamond, with a packed schedule of games. Here’s a breakdown of the action to look forward to:

Sept. 7

South Commons will be buzzing with a full slate of softball matchups:

• 9:00 AM - Columbus v Effingham @ South Commons
• 9:00 AM - Northside v Veterans @ South Commons
• 1:00 PM - Columbus v Northgate @ South Commons
• 1:00 PM - Northside v Bremen @ South Commons
• 4:00 PM - Shaw v King's Ridge @ South Commons
• 4:00 PM - Northside v Effingham @ South Commons
• 6:00 PM - Northside v Villa Rica @ South Commons
• 6:00 PM - Columbus v Lee Co @ South Commons

Cross-Country teams are also gearing up for a big weekend:

• 9:30 AM - Columbus @ Carrollton
• TBA - Northside @ Fayetteville

Volleyball Fever:

The volleyball courts will be buzzing as well with exciting matchups:

• 5:00 PM - Columbus @ Northgate
• 5:00 PM - Central PC/Calvary @ Northside
• 7:00 PM - Spencer @ Kendrick
• 7:00 PM - Brookstone @ Shaw

Sept. 6, Friday Night Football – Week 4 Preview:

• 7:00 PM - Northside v Monroe @ Kinnett
• 7:00 PM - Spencer v Griffin @ Odis Spencer
• 7:00 PM - Jordan @ Terrell Co

As we move into Week 4, teams will be looking to solidify their standings and build momentum for the long season ahead. With big games coming up across multiple sports, the excitement is only building!

That wraps up another thrilling week of high school sports action! Whether it’s the grit and grind of football or the finesse of softball and volleyball, our local athletes are giving it their all.

Be sure to catch the games, cheer on your teams, and join us next week for another edition of Time-Out!

You won’t want to miss the next round of highlights and standout performances. See you under the lights!