Arab Knights Stay Perfect, Roll Past Columbia 34-12 in Class 5A Region 8 Clash

HUNTSVILLE, AL — Arab kept its unbeaten season alive Friday night, using a balanced attack and a flawless performance from quarterback Nic Stephens to defeat Columbia 34-12 at Joe Davis Stadium.

The win pushed the Knights to 5-0 in Class 5A, Region 8, marking the program’s best start since 2022. That season, Arab finished 11-2 and reached the third round of the Class 5A playoffs. This year’s team now carries similar momentum, and the offense showed why.

Stephens Sets the Tone

Stephens was nearly perfect through the air. He completed all six of his pass attempts for 80 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball to three different receivers. He also created problems on the ground, running 10 times for 85 yards and one more score.

His efficiency kept the Knights on schedule all night. Every drive that mattered ran through him, and he rarely put the ball in danger.

A Ground Game That Wore Columbia Down

While Stephens led the passing attack, Mason Ingram handled the workload on the ground. He carried 17 times for 85 yards and a touchdown, giving Arab a steady rhythm between plays through the air.

The combination of Stephens and Ingram gave Columbia’s defense little room to breathe. Arab piled up yards on the ground and controlled the pace, forcing the Eagles to chase for much of the game.

Three Receivers Find the End Zone

Arab’s passing touchdowns came from three different targets. Tucker Willis led the receiving group with two catches for 39 yards and a score. Owen Lambert and Chase Kirkland each added a receiving touchdown of their own.

Spreading the scoring made Arab tough to defend. With Stephens hitting multiple options, Columbia struggled to key on any single threat.

Richey Keeps Columbia Fighting

Columbia leaned heavily on running back Christian Richey, who refused to slow down. He carried the ball 32 times for 160 yards, doing the bulk of the work for the Eagles’ offense.

Quarterback Tremayne Gilbert added a passing touchdown among his 64 yards through the air. Columbia moved the ball at times, but the Eagles could not match Arab’s scoring pace and finished with 12 points.

The effort from Richey stood out as a bright spot for a Columbia program still searching for consistency. His durability and production gave the Eagles something to build on despite the loss.

Looking Ahead

Arab will look to protect its perfect record as the Region 8 schedule tightens. The Knights have found a formula that works, and the balance between Stephens and Ingram makes them a serious contender in the playoff race.

Columbia, meanwhile, will regroup and aim to translate flashes of offense into a full four-quarter effort. With Richey anchoring the ground game, the Eagles have a foundation to lean on as they chase their next win.