COLUMBUS – After suffering a heartbreaking loss to New Hope last week, the Columbus Falcons will aim to start district play on the right foot as they face Calloway at home on Friday night.

The Falcons began the 2024 season with two tough losses to Houston and Louisville, but quickly bounced back to secure wins over Lafayette and Ripley – the first victories under first-year head coach Barrin Simpson. 

Columbus’ losses came to opponents that hold a combined record of 13-4 this season. Compared to the woes of the one-win season in 2023, the Falcons have looked dramatically improved in Simpson’s first season at the helm. 

But now, another challenge looms. Not to say this team is not used to the adversity, however. The Falcons have not been above .500 since 2015, and are searching for the first district title since 1985. 

Compared to the teams of the past, this year’s squad has flashed at times through the first five games of 2024. With a productive offense featuring a gritty rushing attack and an impressive quarterback play from junior Dkyren Henderson.  

Callaway holds a 2-4 record on the season with a 39-0 win over Provine and a 36-20 victory last Friday night against Forest Hill. In last year’s matchup against the Chargers, the Falcons fell 36-8 to head coach Dameon Brown’s squad. 

The Chargers have had recent success, including a 9-3 mark in 2023 that included a playoff victory and a close second-round loss to Vicksburg.

For the Falcons, remaining headstrong on defense is going to be the key in this week’s matchup against the Chargers. Columbus has allowed teams to score at will at times this season but the Falcons did show tremendous improvement, specifically in the linebacker corps, since giving up 50 points to Louisville back in September. 

Friday night’s matchup will go a long way in determining 5A Region 2 playoff seeding and also show just how far along the Falcons’ rebuild under Simpson truly is. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday night at the CHS football stadium.