From state championships to girls flag football, here are our top prep sports stories of 2019
2019 was a big year for sports in the Chattahoochee Valley.
Three area prep football teams made appearances in state football championships. One area softball team also nearly won a state championship. Central sent yet another football recruit to a major college program, and the Atlanta Falcons helped sanction a new sport beginning in 2020.
Each year, the Ledger-Enquirer looks back at the biggest headlines and most impactful stories from Columbus and the surrounding Chattahoochee Valley. Here are the biggest prep sports stories of the year.
A new sport is coming to Muscogee County schools, and there’s ‘a lot of excitement’
The Atlanta Falcons partnered with the GHSA to bring girls flag football to Muscogee County. Following the championship games in Atlanta, it was announced that girls flag football will be an officially sanctioned sport in 2020.
After beloved football coach’s sudden death, his legacy lives on in Harris County
When Harris County Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Danny Durham died suddenly in August 2018 at age 54, it shocked the Harris County community, and beyond. One year later, his legacy continues to live on.
Led by backup quarterback, Harris County upends local power Carver
Harris County and Carver kicked off the prep football season in exciting fashion. When the dust settled, the Tigers, led by a backup quarterback, walked away with an upset win over a local power.
Central, Glenwood and Marion County reach state title games
Three area teams competed in state championships. Central-Phenix City fell in the Alabama 7A championship to Thompson, while Marion County lost to Irwin County in the Georgia 1A public state title. Glenwood lost to Bessemer in the Alabama private state championship.
Heritage Bowl takes center stage
Carver and Spencer traded blows the historic Heritage Bowl rivalry game. Carver quarterback D.J. Riles made sure the Tigers would come out on top.
Central receiver signs with major college football program
Central continued its seemingly annual tradition of sending high-profile football recruits to Clemson. This year, receiver E.J. Williams signed for the defending national champions.
GHSA reclassification alignments
The GHSA announced its reclassification alignments in November. The new alignments, some of which were appealed, will take effect with the 2020 school year and affect Columbus-area high schools in numerous ways.
Harris County softball nearly wins state, Northside baseball wins state
Harris County and Northside each went far in their respective softball state tournaments. Harris County fell in the state title, while Northside fell in the Elite 8.
Northside’s baseball team won the 4A state title in a stylish sweep of Denmark, with scores that served as a microcosm of the two different ways they beat teams throughout the playoffs: first, a dramatic comeback for a 7-6 victory; then, a dominating, no-doubt 11-2 clincher.
Carver boys and girls basketball teams win state
Carver had beaten Americus-Sumter in their previous three games, but ahead of the state title game, MaxPreps put the Panthers at No. 1 in the class 4A boys basketball rankings and Carver at No. 3 after the Panthers upset No. 2 Sandy Creek 63-56 in the semifinals and Carver beat No. 5 Woodward 58-50 in the other semifinal.
The discrepancy in the rankings motivated the Tigers, who defeated Americus-Sumter 58-55 to win state.
The Carver girls, meanwhile, entered the state championship undefeated and on a roll. The Tigers completed their perfect season with a 56-44 victory over Spalding.
