Columbus, Georgia, has a high school sports scene that deserves more attention. Across Muscogee County and the surrounding Chattahoochee Valley, student-athletes are producing standout performances in football, cross country and other sports while building reputations that could follow them beyond graduation.

Some are already established champions. Others are emerging players whose recent performances suggest they could become household names among local sports fans. From a runner chasing a third consecutive state championship to football players putting up impressive numbers in rivalry games, the region has plenty of athletes worth following during the 2026 season.

Here are five athletes and emerging talents to watch, along with the accomplishments that have put them on the radar.

1. Olivia DiQuattro: Columbus High’s Two-Time State Champion

Few local athletes enter the fall season with a résumé as impressive as Columbus High School junior Olivia DiQuattro.

DiQuattro has already won two consecutive Georgia High School Association Class 2A girls cross-country state championships. She captured her first title as a freshman in 2024 with a time of 19 minutes, 41 seconds on the five-kilometer course at Carrollton High School. She followed that performance with another championship in 2025, finishing in 20:54.

Her accomplishments are particularly notable because Columbus High moved from Class 2A to Class 4A for the 2026 season, placing the Blue Devils in a different competitive classification. Despite the change, DiQuattro has continued to post impressive times.

According to season performance data reported by the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, DiQuattro recorded a time of 17 minutes, 34.4 seconds, making her the leading Class 4A girls runner based on the performances cited in its October 9 report. That time was 46.9 seconds faster than the next-best reported Class 4A girls performance, recorded by Westminster’s Caroline Butts.

DiQuattro has an opportunity to accomplish something special at the GHSA Class 4A state meet scheduled for November 6 in Carrollton. A third consecutive state championship would extend her remarkable run of success, although the move to a new classification presents a different competitive challenge.

Her goals extend beyond individual awards. DiQuattro has said she wants to help Columbus win a team state championship, following the girls team’s second-place finish in Class 2A last season.

For Columbus sports fans, she is one of the clearest examples of local excellence and an athlete whose performances will be worth tracking as the postseason approaches. (AOL.com)

2. Rayshaun Glover: A Big-Play Threat for Columbus High Football

Football fans looking for an athlete capable of changing a game in a single play should keep an eye on Columbus High junior running back Rayshaun Glover.

Glover delivered a remarkable performance against Hardaway High School in the October 8 Midtown Showdown, helping the Blue Devils earn a 49-6 victory and their first region win of the season.

The junior produced more than 200 rushing yards and scored four rushing touchdowns. His scoring runs included a 42-yard touchdown, a 79-yard touchdown and a 67-yard touchdown during the first half. He added another rushing touchdown in the third quarter.

Those numbers illustrate the type of explosive production that can make a running back a major offensive weapon. Long touchdown runs can change momentum, put pressure on opposing defenses and force teams to adjust their defensive schemes.

The performance also came in a rivalry game, giving it added significance for local fans. Columbus built a commanding lead while limiting Hardaway’s offensive opportunities, and Glover played a central role in the victory.

One game does not establish how a player will perform over an entire season, but four rushing touchdowns and more than 200 yards in a rivalry matchup are difficult numbers to ignore.

As Columbus High continues its 2026 campaign, Glover is a player worth watching whenever the Blue Devils take the field. His ability to turn a routine running play into a long touchdown could make him one of the team’s most important offensive contributors. (AOL.com)

3. Jaamir Brown: Hardaway’s Versatile Playmaker

Although Hardaway High School lost the Midtown Showdown, junior running back and receiver Jaamir Brown demonstrated why opposing teams need to account for him.

Brown has already drawn attention for his versatility. Earlier in the season, he was named the Ledger-Enquirer’s boys high school athlete of the week after a performance against Kendrick that included three receptions for 84 yards, 60 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

The numbers showed his ability to contribute in multiple ways. As a receiver, Brown can create opportunities through catches and yards after the reception. As a runner, he gives his team another option for advancing the football and putting pressure on opposing defenses.

He also made an impact in the October 8 matchup against Columbus High, breaking free for a 55-yard touchdown run that accounted for Hardaway’s only touchdown in the 49-6 loss.

Even against a defense that controlled much of the game, Brown demonstrated the ability to produce a significant play. His earlier athlete-of-the-week performance and his touchdown against Columbus suggest that he can contribute both as a runner and a receiver.

For Hardaway, the challenge will be finding ways to get the ball into his hands consistently while improving the team’s overall offensive production.

Brown is worth following because versatility can make a high school player valuable in several offensive situations. If he continues producing explosive plays, he could remain one of the more recognizable names among the area’s young football talents. (Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)

4. Antonio Webster: Helping Jordan High Build Momentum

Jordan Vocational High School has a football story that extends beyond individual statistics.

After enduring a 59-game losing streak spanning several seasons, the Jordan Red Jackets have begun putting together a more competitive campaign. By October 8, the team had won its second game of the 2026 season, defeating Heritage 35-20 in a homecoming matchup.

Junior running back Antonio Webster played an important role in the victory, scoring two rushing touchdowns.

The result was meaningful for a program working to establish a different identity. Jordan’s second victory marked its first season with multiple wins since 2020, providing a tangible sign of progress after years of difficult results.

Webster’s contribution matters because a successful football turnaround requires players who can consistently execute in important situations. Scoring twice in a homecoming victory helps build confidence and gives teammates a reason to believe that their work is producing results.

Jordan also received a rushing touchdown from junior quarterback Dontrell Wright, giving the Red Jackets another player to watch as the offense develops.

For local fans, Webster represents the type of athlete whose importance goes beyond recruiting rankings or individual awards. Players who help struggling programs become competitive can influence the culture of an entire team.

The Red Jackets still have work ahead, but their recent results provide a reason for optimism. Webster’s performance against Heritage makes him one of the Jordan players worth following during the remainder of the season. (AOL.com)

5. Dontrell Wright: A Quarterback to Watch at Jordan

Quarterbacks often become the faces of high school football programs because they help determine how an offense operates. At Jordan High, junior quarterback Dontrell Wright is among the players worth watching as the Red Jackets continue their rebuilding effort.

Wright contributed a rushing touchdown in Jordan’s 35-20 victory over Heritage on October 8. His score helped the Red Jackets build on a second-half performance that turned a close game into a more comfortable victory.

While the available game report does not provide a complete statistical breakdown of Wright’s passing or rushing production for the season, his contribution in the Heritage game gives local fans a reason to follow his development.

Jordan’s recent improvement also creates an opportunity for its younger players to gain valuable experience. A program attempting to build sustained success needs players who can develop together, learn to perform under pressure and establish consistency from one game to the next.

For Wright, the remainder of the season offers an opportunity to demonstrate how his role develops as Jordan works to become more competitive. His performance should be evaluated over multiple games rather than on a single statistic.

If the Red Jackets continue improving, Wright could become an increasingly important part of the program’s progress.

Why Columbus High School Sports Deserve More Attention

These athletes represent different kinds of success. DiQuattro has already established herself as a two-time state champion, while Glover and Brown have demonstrated their ability to produce explosive football plays. Webster and Wright are contributing to a program working to reverse years of disappointing results.

Their stories also highlight why high school sports matter to the Columbus community.

Successful athletic programs can bring students, families, alumni and neighborhoods together. Rivalry games create memorable moments, championship pursuits give communities something to celebrate, and improving teams can restore enthusiasm around programs that have struggled.

There is also an important developmental side to high school athletics. Student-athletes learn to manage their time, work toward long-term goals and respond to setbacks. Those lessons can matter regardless of whether a player eventually competes in college or professionally.

For fans, following local athletes throughout a season provides a more complete picture than simply checking final scores. Watching how a runner approaches a championship meet or how a football player responds after a difficult loss can reveal the determination and discipline behind the statistics.

Columbus and the surrounding region have plenty of athletes whose accomplishments deserve recognition. The five highlighted here provide a starting point for following the area’s developing sports stories.

What Comes Next for These Athletes?

The next several weeks will be important for the athletes featured in this article.

For DiQuattro, the immediate focus is the November 6 GHSA Class 4A state cross-country championship. Her pursuit of a third consecutive state title gives Columbus fans an individual championship story to follow, while the Blue Devils girls team will also be looking to improve on last season’s runner-up finish.

For the football players, the remainder of the regular season will provide additional opportunities to build on recent performances. Glover and Brown will continue competing in the Columbus-Hardaway rivalry, while Webster and Wright will look to help Jordan maintain its recent progress.

Their performances could change as the season unfolds, and new athletes will inevitably emerge. That is part of what makes high school sports compelling: Every week brings another opportunity for a player or team to surprise people.

For Columbus residents, keeping up with these athletes is also a way to stay connected to the community. Their achievements take place at local schools, in front of local fans and within programs that represent the city and surrounding area.

The next major performance could come from an established champion or a player who has not yet received widespread recognition. Either way, the Chattahoochee Valley’s high school sports season is worth following.