Time-Out: The Heartbeat of Columbus Sports

As we dive into another thrilling week of local sports, it’s clear that the pulse of Columbus is pounding stronger than ever.

From Friday night lights to upcoming softball and volleyball matchups, there’s a lot to cover.

And, of course, the big news that has everyone talking: the new identity of our beloved minor league baseball team—the Columbus Clingstones. Not all residents are sold on the name, but what’s clear is that the Clingstones are here to stay, and they’re bringing baseball back in a big way.

Columbus Clingstones: A Peachy Name, But Not Without Controversy

The announcement of the new "Columbus Clingstones" has divided the city.

Some fans are embracing the alliterative nod to Georgia’s state fruit, the clingstone peach, known for its flesh that stubbornly clings to the pit—a symbol of the team’s grit and determination.

However, others aren’t so keen on the fruity moniker.

Pete Laven, the Clingstones’ general manager, is confident that the new identity will grow on the community.

“The name reflects our pride in the Peach State and our deep connection to the community. We’re excited to bring baseball back to Columbus and can’t wait for fans to embrace the new identity at Synovus Park,” Laven said.

Starting in April 2025, the Clingstones will take the field at Synovus Park, formerly Golden Park, which is undergoing a $50 million renovation as part of a larger project that includes residential and retail development.

The return of minor league baseball was officially confirmed earlier this year when the Mississippi Braves announced their relocation to Columbus following the 2024 season.

Central Red Devils: A Force to be Reckoned With

Moving from baseball to the football field, the Central Red Devils are making headlines for all the right reasons. After another commanding performance, this time with a 69-15 rout of Smiths Station, Central continues to establish itself as one of the top teams in the area.

The Red Devils wasted no time, jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, thanks to a 33-yard touchdown run from Tristan Williams and a 30-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Alford to Devin Smith. By halftime, the game was all but over, with Central leading 35-8.

Sophomore quarterback Bobby Coleman took over in the second half, tossing two touchdowns to Daylyn Upshaw. To cap off the scoring, Jayshaun Woodhouse punched in a one-yard rushing touchdown, putting the final nail in the coffin.

Smiths Station managed a touchdown late in the game, but it was nowhere near enough to stop the Red Devils’ dominant performance. Central’s defense, as well as its high-powered offense, continues to impress, and the team remains unbeaten as they march through the season.

Spencer Greenwaves: Defense Leads the Way

The Spencer Greenwaves are riding high after a 29-15 victory over Griffin, improving to 2-2 on the season. This win was all about the defense, as Spencer held Griffin to just 80 total yards of offense.

The Greenwaves’ defense was impenetrable, allowing only 22 passing yards and 58 rushing yards.

Linebacker Christopher Starr Jr. was the star of the game, racking up 15 tackles, bringing his season total to 48.

With the defense playing at such a high level, Spencer has the potential to make some serious noise as the season progresses.

After a bye week, the Greenwaves will take on the Jordan Red Jackets in what should be a highly anticipated matchup.

Northside Patriots: Unstoppable Start to the Season

Another team making waves this season is the Northside Patriots, who are off to a blistering 3-0 start after a 32-7 demolition of Monroe.

Senior quarterback Caden Clay had a standout performance, throwing for one touchdown and running for another, showing his versatility and leadership on the field. Junior running back Jai Jackson also contributed with 62 yards on 15 carries, finding the end zone to help secure the win.

Northside’s path to an undefeated season won’t be easy, though.

The Patriots have two tough games ahead, first against the 2-1 Carver Tigers, followed by a showdown with the undefeated 4-0 Harris County Tigers. These matchups will be a true test of Northside’s strength and resilience.

Harris County Tigers: Defensive Dominance

The Harris County Tigers are quickly proving they are a force to be reckoned with this season. Now sitting at 4-0 after a 27-6 win over Dougherty, the Tigers are off to their best start in recent memory.

Head coach Tommy Watson has his team firing on all cylinders, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Tigers’ defense is allowing an average of just nine points per game, making them one of the stingiest units in the region.

On the offensive side, senior WR/RB Ran Ogletree continues to be the engine that powers the Tigers. Ogletree, who ranks in the top five in the 4A Region in rushing yards, has been a nightmare for opposing defenses all season. Harris County’s schedule doesn’t get any easier, with key games against region opponents coming up, but with their defense playing at this level, they’ll be tough to beat.

Final Scores from Week 4: Here are the results from around the area as Week 4 wraps up:

Central 69 – Smiths Station 15       Beulah 28 – Dadeville 14      Lee-Scott 49 – Childersburg 14

FPD 6 – Brookstone 3                    Tattnall 41 – Calvary 6           Pacelli 48 – Stone Mountain 7

Harris County 27 – Dougherty 6    Glenwood 37 – Comer 14  Russell County 21 – Wetumpka 17

Spencer 29 – Griffin 15                  Auburn 28 – Opelika 21            Whitewater 28 – Troup 10

Northside 32 – Monroe 7               Terrell County 16 – Jordan 0        Central-Clay 48 – Valley 0

Callaway 35 – Cook 23

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Games and Events

The excitement continues this week with a packed schedule of high school sports action:

Sept. 12
Football:

• Shaw vs. Hardaway @ Kinnett, 7:00 PM

Girls High School Softball:

• Spencer @ Hardaway, 5:30 PM
• Jordan @ Shaw, 5:30 PM
• Kendrick @ Carver, 5:30 PM
• Sumter County @ Columbus, 5:30 PM
• Central Carroll @ Northside, 5:30 PM

Girls High School Volleyball:

• Spencer @ Smiths Station, 5:00 PM
• Jordan @ Carver, 5:00 PM
• Columbus @ Glenwood, 6:00 PM
• Kendrick @ Early County, 6:30 PM

Sept. 13
Football:

• Jordan vs. Columbus @ Kinnett, 7:00 PM
• Carver vs. Northside @ Odis Spencer, 7:00 PM
• Kendrick @ Sumter County, 7:00 PM

Make sure to check out these games and events—our local teams are pushing the limits and giving us plenty to cheer about. Columbus sports are alive and well, and we can’t wait to see what happens next!