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   The best of the best in Alabama High   
  School Football over the past 100 seasons.






2023 Team Previews 

  


Central Red Devils

Head Coach: Patrick Nix (fourth season)
Career Record: 10 seasons, (97-31)
At Central Phenix City: 3 seasons, (31-9)
Stadium: Garrett-Harrison Stadium
2022 Enrollment:  1,551
Rank:  10th in the AHSAA, 10th in Class 7A

 History 
Overall Record:   598-369-33   (62.0%)
Last 25 years:   222-75   (75.0%)  (Rank: 15th in the AHSAA, 4th in Class 7A)
Since 2010:   130-33  (79.8%)  (Rank: 10th in the AHSAA, 2nd in Class 7A)
Last Playoff Appearance:   2022
Last Region Championship:   2022
Last Winning Season:   2022
Last Losing Season:   2008

 2022 
Class:  7A              Region:   2
Record:  10-3
Region Record:   7-1, (first)
Playoff Record:   Semi-finals loss to Auburn by the score of 14-13.
Final ASWA Poll:   2nd
Scoring:  461 (35.5)
Defense:  209 (16.1)


 2023 
Class: 7A              Region:   2
Strength of Schedule: 52-48 (52%) (162nd in the AHSAA, 20th in Class 7A)
Region Strength:  44-44 (50%)
Non-Region Strength:  8-4 (67%)



 2022 Results 
 8/19   Hewitt-Trussville  (7A)   37-21   W  
 8/26  @ Smiths Station  (7A)  *  38-0   W  
 9/2  vs. Enterprise  (7A)  *  27-7   W  
 9/9  @ Opelika  (7A)  *  14-17   L (OT) 
 9/17  @ Jeff Davis   *  49-16   W  
 9/23  vs. IMG Academy FL    26-41   L  
 9/29  @ Dothan High  (7A)  *  35-28   W  
 10/6  vs. Lee Montgomery   *  54-20   W  
 10/14  vs. Auburn  (7A)  *  38-17   W  
 10/21   OPEN 
 10/28  vs. Prattville  (7A)  *  27-7   W  
 Playoffs 
 11/4  vs. Mary Montgomery    58-7   W  
 11/11  vs. Enterprise    45-14   W  
 11/18  vs. Auburn    13-14   L  

 2023 Schedule 
 8/25  @ Hewitt-Trussville  (7A)       
 9/1  vs. Smiths Station  (7A)  *      
 9/8  @ Enterprise  (7A)  *      
 9/15  vs. Opelika  (7A)  *      
 9/21  vs. J.A.G.  (7A)  *      
 9/29   OPEN 
 10/6  vs. Dothan High  (7A)  *      
 10/14  @ Percy Julian  (7A)  *      
 10/20  @ Auburn  (7A)  *      
 10/27   OPEN 
 11/3  @ Prattville  (7A)  *      
 11/10  vs. Davidson        
 11/17  vs. Auburn        
 11/24  vs. Mary Montgomery        
 12/6   Thompson        


Class  7A Region  2
Team 2022 Record Region Scoring                            
Central Phenix City (7A) 10-3 7-1461-209
Auburn (7A) 12-2 7-1510-272
Enterprise (7A) 8-4 5-3394-272
Dothan High (7A) 8-4 5-3388-324
Prattville (7A) 6-4 4-4296-223
Opelika (7A) 5-5 4-4258-222
J.A.G. (7A) 3-7 2-6176-294
Jeff Davis (7A) 3-7 2-6176-294
Smiths Station (7A) 1-9 1-7189-427
Percy Julian (7A) 1-9 1-7154-372

 2023 Preview 


       Central completed the 2022 season with a 10-3 record. Last year Central captured the region two title and a number one seed in the Class 7A playoffs. They finished region play with a 7-1 record. Central made a nice playoff run in 2022, reaching the semi-finals before falling to a very good Auburn team by the score of 14-13.

       Over the past two seasons the Red Devils have Finished 23-4 and will be looking to continue that winning tradition. As one of the best football programs in the state since 2010, Central has gone a combined 130-33. Their 79.8% winning percentage ranks 2nd in Class 7A over the past thirteen seasons.

       Over the past 25 seasons, Central has finished a combined 222-75. Their 75.0% winning percentage ranks 4th in Class 7A and 15th in the AHSAA. The Red Devils have been successful on the football field with twenty-four winning seasons during this time. Their last losing season was 2008.




       The Red Devils are led by head coach Patrick Nix who is entering his fourth season at the helm. He has compiled a record of 31-9 over the past three seasons at Central. Under his direction the Red Devils have qualified for the playoffs a total of three times. They have won two region crowns with Coach Nix. Over the course of his career, Coach Nix's teams have qualified for the playoffs a total of ten times and won five region championships. Coach Nix won two state championships prior to arriving at Central, the last coming in 2018 at Pinson Valley.

       If Central can win three games this season, Coach Nix will reach the 100 win milestone.

       Central returns a lot of talent on defense but will need to replace some key graduates on offense to make a trip back to Tuscaloosa in December. With two more victories Central can become the 38th team in Alabama to win their 600th football game.

       The Red Devils enter the season with expectations of not only a region crown but will be contending for a trip to the state championship game. They are considered one the favorites in region two and could very well be representing the South in the Class 7A Super Seven come December. The Red Devils have succeeded in reaching the playoffs every year since 2013 and this year should be no exception.

      Zack Simmons will be back this season at running back after rushing for 823 yards and 9 TDs in 2022. Receiver Cam Coleman will return after grabbing 31 passes good for 542 yards and 6 TDs as a junior last season.

      Placekicker Ethan Paul will also return after scoring 84 points and knocked through nine field goals as a junior.

      CB Jayden Coleman, DL Isaia Faga, CB Jiquan Sanks and safety Rydarrius Morgan are considered top prospects and will be back on defense.

       The Red Devils open the 2023 season on the road against non-region opponent Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, August 25 at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Last year the Hewitt-Trussville Huskies finished with an overall record of 8-4 and in third place in Class 7A region three. The Huskies lost in the second round of the Class 7A playoffs to Hoover by a score of 28-11.

       Central and Hewitt-Trussville have met a total of 2 times on the football field. The Red Devils have a 2-0-0 record against the Huskies. They last met in 2022 with Central winning by a score of 37-21.

       The Red Devils lost a ton of talent to graduation off the 2022 squad. Replacing these players will be a key to another successful season. Central lost 7A All-State  defensive lineman Tomarrion Parker to graduation. He was named to the first team last season. Also graduating were teammates defensive back AJ Harris, quarterback Jaylen Epps, receiver Karmello English, offensive lineman Keyon Cox and kicker Ethan Paul.

  


Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History

Clay County shutout an amazing eleven opponents in 1996. The Panthers outscored their opponents 613-42 finishing the season 15-0.