Columbia’s Colton Byrd runs the ball Friday night against Carlyle. (John Spytek photo)

With clear skies for a change, local high school football fans were treated to the return of Friday Night Lights as Columbia, Waterloo and Dupo were all at home. Rain and severe weather had put a damper on previous Friday night football action for some teams this season.

The Eagles coasted to a 55-6 homecoming game win against Carlyle, and it was a blowout from the start. Columbia running back Colton Byrd rushed for a school record six touchdowns in the game, all in the first half. Byrd had TD runs of 59, 23, 24 and four yards in the first quarter. He added rushing TDs from 21 and 23 yards out in the second quarter.

Byrd finished with 172 yards rushing on the night.

Jordan Holmes also scored on a 69-yard pass from quarterback Greg Long.

Columbia led 48-0 at halftime and improves to 5-0 on the season.

Waterloo’s Scott Nanney (right) runs the ball in the second half Friday night against Highland. For more photos from the game, click here. (Alan Dooley photo)

In Waterloo, the Battle of the Bulldogs went to Highland following a defensive battle that resulted in a 0-0 halftime score.

Both defenses held strong in the first half, but Highland’s running game proved too powerful in the end. Trent Rakers carried the ball 30 times for 217 yards and touchdown for Highland as the red-and-black Bulldogs prevailed, 14-3.

Waterloo recovered its own onside kick to start the second half, and actually scored first in the contest on a Hayden Bender field goal at 6:49 of the third quarter. But Highland scored 14 unanswered points to win the Mississippi Valley Conference clash.

In other local high school football action from Friday night, Dupo dropped to 0-5 on the season with a 28-7 homecoming game defeat at the hands of Wesclin. The Tigers trailed 14-0 at halftime.

The Red Bud Musketeers improved to 5-0 on the season with a 56-30 victory at Freeburg. Red Bud has scored 40 or more points in every game this season.

Ryan Hess rushed for 301 yards and scored five TDs for the Musketeers, who host undefeated Breese Central next week.

Read more on local football action in next week’s Republic-Times newspaper.