A standout Alabama high school football team recently shattered a national record, but not one they were proud of until now. Saturday evening marked a triumphant end to their challenging streak as they secured their first win since 2015.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — After years of perseverance, a high school football team in Alabama celebrated a momentous victory Saturday night, concluding the nation’s longest losing streak with a decisive 41-14 scoreline. This marks their first triumph on the field since October 16, 2015, ending a staggering 101-game losing streak.
The Columbia High School Eagles’ spectacular win at Milton Frank Stadium has created ripples far beyond the borders of Huntsville.
In recent years, the team caught the eyes of the nation and became the centerpiece of a compelling documentary series.
As the game unfolded, anticipation swelled that a long-awaited celebration was imminent. Initially trailing by two scores, the Columbia Eagles surged ahead, seizing a 20-14 lead by halftime. From there, they powered through, amassing 21 additional points to seal their victory emphatically.
When the clock zeroed out and the first win in more than a decade was confirmed, running back Christian Richey couldn’t believe what had happened.
“It didn’t feel real. It’s like all the hard work paid off,” he said.
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October 2015 was a whole different era. Many of the players on the field today were in kindergarten then, if they were even in school at all. It’s a bit of an understatement to say Saturday’s win was a long time coming.
The historic moment happened at the start of the second season under head coach Sammie Coates, who took over the program in January 2025.
“Everything they’ve done, they deserve every moment of this,” Coates said while students rushed onto the field to celebrate.
Coates, an Alabama native, starred at wide receiver for Auburn University from 2011 to 2014, helping lead the Tigers to the 2013 SEC Championship and a berth in the 2014 BCS National Championship game. He earned All-SEC honors and finished his career among Auburn’s top 10 all-time in receiving yards.
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Coates in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He went on to play for the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, and Kansas City Chiefs, along with stints in the XFL and CFL, before moving into coaching at Jensen Beach High School in Florida, Ohio Northern University, and most recently the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, where he served as wide receivers/returners coach and community service coordinator.
Coates said he didn’t care about any outside noise. He’s looking to continue earning wins for the rest of the season.
“It’s over with. We got all of that noise out the way. Now, it’s time to focus on what we came here to do this year: That’s win multiple games,” he said.