Tri-City Sports Spotlight

As we head into one of the most electrifying weeks in Tri-City sports, anticipation continues to build. Whether it's playoff football, wrestling triumphs, or basketball matchups, there's no shortage of action on the horizon.

The Carver Tigers remain the talk of the town after dominating Pierce County 44-7 in the quarterfinals. Despite an early touchdown from Pierce County, the Tigers displayed their prowess with a 44-0 run to close out the game. Quarterback Matthew Mungin III was exceptional, throwing for over 200 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Kobe Caslin added over 200 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, while the defense shone, led by Kabren Holley’s 95-yard interception return for a touchdown. With a 13-1 record, Carver now faces Appling County this Friday at Odis Spencer Stadium in a win-or-go-home matchup with the state championship in sight. One more victory will send them to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the state final—a moment that has been years in the making for this team and its loyal fanbase.

As the Carver Tigers aim for glory, the Central Red Devils are following suit, with both the football and flag football teams gearing up for championship aspirations. The Central Lady Red Devils continued their perfect season, defeating Auburn 33-12 in their Final Four showdown. At 18-0 and ranked #2 in the nation, they are now one win away from a back-to-back championship appearance. If they can continue their dominant streak, it would be a monumental achievement for the program. The Central football team, already a force to be reckoned with, will compete in a pivotal state semifinal rematch against Thompson on December 4th in Birmingham, with both teams looking to lock up a championship spot.

In other sports news, Columbus High’s wrestling team is on a tear, going undefeated at the "Down by the River" Duals. The team posted a perfect 5-0 record, showcasing the deep talent within the program. Wrestlers like Anthony Gaines-Shavers, Carter Dixon, and Gabriel Jacobus were instrumental in the team's success. Meanwhile, the Pacelli Vikings earned third place, with standout performances from Jay Lane, who went 4-0 with four pins, and other wrestlers like Luke Townsend and Holden Sanders, who all added crucial wins.

Basketball fans have plenty to keep them on the edge of their seats this week. Shaw faces Northside, Spencer takes on Troup County, and Columbus matches up with Brookstone—all crucial games starting off the 24-25 season. As the basketball season heats up, the rivalry games are sure to bring even more intensity to an already action-packed week. Friday night will feature Spencer taking on Schley County, and Saturday will bring a variety of thrilling contests, including Jordan vs. Northside and Spencer against Baldwin County.

This week also sees exciting cheerleading action, with the Columbus cheer team heading to the Game Day State Competition at the Columbus Civic Center on Dec. 4, while middle school football teams battle it out in the playoffs at Odis Spencer Stadium. In addition, the flag football playoffs kick off with Columbus facing Mt. Vernon and Northside traveling to Long County in what promises to be an exciting series of games.

In between all these intense matchups, local teams are also fighting for their spots in regional and state championships in wrestling and cheerleading. With such high stakes across various sports, there is a lot to celebrate this week in the Tri-City area. Fans, get ready to support your teams like never before, as these athletes put it all on the line for their schools and their communities. There's no better time to be a sports fan in the Tri-City area. The action is only just beginning—make sure you don’t miss a moment.

Upcoming Events:

• December 3: Basketball:
  • Shaw vs. Northside (6 p.m. Girls / 7:30 p.m. Boys)
  • Spencer vs. Troup County (6 p.m. Girls / 7:30 p.m. Boys)
  • Columbus vs. Brookstone (6 p.m. Girls / 7:30 p.m. Boys)
  • Kendrick vs. Marion County (6 p.m. Girls / 7:30 p.m. Boys)
    Wrestling:
  • Columbus vs. Smiths Station (5 p.m.)
  • Spencer vs. Russell County (6 p.m.)
    Middle School Cheer Showcase at Shaw (6 p.m.)
• December 4:
  Cheerleading Game Day State Competition at Columbus Civic Center (3:45 p.m.)
  MS Football Playoffs:
  • Aaron Coin vs. Fort at Odis Spencer (5:30 p.m.)
  • Rothschild vs. Midland at Odis Spencer (7:15 p.m.)
• December 5:
  GHSA Flag Football Playoffs:
  • Columbus vs. Mt. Vernon (2 p.m.)
  • Shaw vs. Ed Defore Sports Complex (Macon) (4 p.m.)
  • Northside vs. Long County (6:15 p.m.)
• December 6:
  Basketball:
  • Marion County vs. Jordan (6 p.m. Girls / 7:30 p.m. Boys)
  • Spencer vs. Schley County (6 p.m. Girls / 7:30 p.m. Boys)
  • Shaw vs. Brookstone (6 p.m. Girls / 7:30 p.m. Boys)
  • Kendrick vs. Pike County (6 p.m. Girls / 7:30 p.m. Boys)
  • Carver vs. KIPP (7:30 p.m. Boys)
• December 7:
  Basketball:
  • Spencer vs. Baldwin County (12 p.m.Girls / 2 p.m.Boys)
  • Jordan vs. Northside (2 p.m. Girls / 3:30 p.m.Boys)
  • Columbus vs. Chattahoochee County (2:30 p.m.Girls / 4 p.m. Boys)
  • Greenville vs. Kendrick (2:30 p.m. Girls / 4 p.m. Boys)
  • Hardaway vs. Smiths Station (3:15 p.m. Girls / 4:30 p.m. Boys)
  • Shaw vs. Calvary (5:30 p.m. Girls / 7 p.m. Boys)

As these sports giants go head-to-head, there’s no doubt this week will bring excitement, intensity, and unforgettable moments. Get out there and cheer on your team as they continue to make their mark on the season! Time-Out.