Friday night lights, fierce rivalries, and championship energy filled the air across the Chattahoochee Valley this past week as local programs delivered emotion, grit, and greatness. From the Hardaway Hawks honoring a fallen coach to the Central Lady Red Devils rewriting the record books, it was another unforgettable week in high school sports.
The week kicked off under the Thursday night lights with the Hardaway Hawks facing the Jordan Red Jackets in a matchup between two hungry teams chasing their first win of the season. But for Hardaway, this game meant more than just football. Coming off the heartbreaking loss of their beloved coach, Venson Maddox, the Hawks took the field with heavy hearts and unwavering purpose. What followed was an emotional performance filled with passion and pride as Hardaway dominated from start to finish, cruising to a 48-7 victory. It was a statement win — one built on heart, brotherhood, and the desire to honor their coach’s legacy the best way they knew how: by playing their hearts out. The Red Jackets, still searching for their rhythm, will now turn their attention to Carver this Thursday at Odis Spencer Stadium.
Friday night brought more fireworks as the Columbus Blue Devils extended their winning streak to four games with a commanding 40-7 win over the Kendrick Cherokees. The Devils have been in demolition mode all season, with four of their victories coming by more than 30 points. Leading the charge was the dynamic duo of Rayshaun Glover, who rushed for 47 yards and two touchdowns, and Michael Fox, who hauled in 83 receiving yards to keep Kendrick’s secondary on its heels. On defense, Columbus was relentless — intercepting two passes, including a pick-six from Joel Fordjour, while Andrew Smith IV added another takeaway. With the win, Columbus improved to 7-1, proving once again why they’re one of the area’s most complete teams. Kendrick, now 4-4, will look to bounce back when they face Shaw this Friday night.
Over at Otis Spencer Stadium, the Spencer Greenwaves rebounded from a tough loss to Sumter County with a hard-fought 31-26 victory over the Shaw Raiders. The win moved Spencer back to .500 at 4-4, while Shaw’s struggles continued, dropping them to 1-7 and extending their losing streak to four. The Greenwaves displayed grit and determination throughout, finding ways to make big plays when it mattered most…