Columbia, Coates look ahead after ending historic losing streak
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The Eagles came back from a two-touchdown deficit to win 41-14 last weekend. Photo: Courtesy Huntsville City Schools
After snapping the country's longest losing streak for high school football, Columbia High School's team is focused on one thing: the next win.
Why it matters: It's the dawn of a new era for the Eagles.
Catch up quick: Columbia's first game of the season, a 41-14 win over Greensboro at Milton Frank Stadium last weekend, ended a 101-game losing streak that stretched back to 2015.
- The Alabama High School Athletic Association called it the longest in the organization's history, spawning national news stories and even a documentary series from NFL Films.
What they're saying: "The response has been awesome from the community," head coach Sammie Coates, former Auburn University standout and NFL wide receiver, tells Axios.
- "They see how hard we're working," he says. "It's been a long time coming."
Yes, but: "We don't care about storylines," Coates says, noting that the team is trying not to let the outside noise creep in.
- The Eagles are taking the season one game at a time but do aim to win, says Coates, who is in his second season at the helm. Their sights are set on making the playoffs.
- The focus is on staying disciplined, he says, and putting their coaching into practice on the field.
Zoom out: Coates started his tenure last year with only 28 players, but he started this year with 60, per Football Scoop, which helped the team hang on to its lead last Saturday night after clawing back from being down 14-0 early.
- Coates' career, from being a championship contender on Auburn's 2013 team to being on several teams in the NFL, taught him something he says he imparts to his players: To be consistent, you have to sacrifice.
Driving the news: "One game does not make us a winning team," he says.
- Success is getting as many players contributing as possible, he says, and while the win-loss record matters, at the end of the day the team needs its guys to propel it forward.
- It's been a lot of hard work from the players, who are getting more and more confident, he says.
What we're watching: Columbia takes on East Limestone on Friday at 7pm — a chance to start a new streak.