Huntsville, Alabama, August 25, 2025
News Summary
The Columbia Eagles high school football team in Huntsville, Alabama, has set a national record with a 93-game losing streak. Despite hopes for a turnaround under new head coach Sammie Coates and a partnership with Gatorade for documentary support, the team continues to seek its first victory since 2015. With motivational support and new initiatives, the Eagles aim to break their decade-long struggle this season.
Huntsville, Alabama – The Columbia Eagles high school football team is facing an unprecedented challenge, having set a national record with a staggering 93-game losing streak. The team has not won a game since October 16, 2015, when they defeated the Ardmore Tigers 34-16. The Eagles’ current streak stands as the longest in high school football history, surpassing the previous record of 82 losses held by Georgia’s Glascock County from 1990 to 1999.
As they commenced the 2025 season, hopes were high for the Eagles to finally end their losing streak. However, their season opener against Priceville ended in a disappointing 53-6 loss, marking game number 93 without a victory. For nearly a decade, every fall has concluded with a 0-10 record for the Columbia Eagles, accumulating a total of nine consecutive seasons without a single win.
The Eagles are now under the leadership of new head coach Sammie Coates, a former NFL wide receiver with a notable career at Auburn University and stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Houston Texans. Coates aims to instill a winning culture within the team and revive their hopes for future victories.
In an effort to support the team and document their journey, Columbia High School has partnered with Gatorade to create a documentary series titled “All The Reasons Not to Quit — The Columbia HS Story.” The series will showcase the Eagles’ 2025 season, capturing the struggles and determination of the players as they work to break the curse of the long losing streak. In addition, Gatorade is providing performance testing and educational support from its Sports Science Institute to equip the team further.
Many of the current seniors on the team were only around 7 or 8 years old during the Eagles’ last victory. The sentiment among the players has shifted towards optimism, with senior running back Hakim Dunnigan expressing a sense of newfound support. The Eagles have received motivational support as well, including an inspiring pep talk from Aidan Hutchinson, a pass rusher for the Detroit Lions, who shared insights from his recovery after a serious injury.
Looking ahead, the Eagles have upcoming matches against Huffman, who finished the previous season with a 1-9 record, and the team is eager to build on their close 24-14 loss to Hazel Green last season. With the support of new programs and initiatives, the Columbia Eagles continue to chase the elusive victory they have been searching for over nearly a decade.
Background Context
The Columbia Eagles’ current situation reflects years of struggle within the program. The team’s last winning season was in 2015, when they achieved a momentary high with victories over Ardmore and St. John Paul II Falcons. Since then, the consecutive losses have steadily become a record-breaking streak that has captivated attention from various quarters.
In their pursuit of turning things around, Columbia High School’s partnership with Gatorade provides hope not only in the form of resources but also a renewed focus on player wellness and performance science. The documentary project is expected to highlight the efforts made by the players and coaches alike to overcome the challenges presented by their lengthy losing streak.
Upcoming Matches
- vs. Huffman
- vs. Other teams in the 2025 season
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Columbia High School Football Team Aims to Break 91-Game Losing Streak
Huntsville High School: A Legacy of Athletic Excellence
Columbia High School’s 2025 Football Season and Losing Streak
Additional Resources
- Today
- WAFF
- SI
- MaxPreps
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Google Search: Columbia Eagles football team
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
