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






2024 Team Previews 

  


Central Wildcats

Head Coach: Heath Wood (fourteenth season)
Career Record: 13 seasons, (77-65)
At Central Florence: 13 seasons, (77-65)
Stadium: Joel N. Brewer Stadium
2024 Enrollment:  313
Rank:  184th in the AHSAA, 37th in Class 4A

 History 
Overall Record:   353-398-12   (47.0%)
Last 25 years:   131-138   (49.0%)  (Rank: 205th in the AHSAA, 37th in Class 4A)
Since 2010:   87-67  (56.5%)  (Rank: 139th in the AHSAA, 21st in Class 4A)
Last Playoff Appearance:   2023
Last Region Championship:   2013
Last Winning Season:   2023
Last Losing Season:   2019

 2023 
Class:  4A              Region:   7
Record:  6-5
Region Record:   4-3, (fourth)
Playoff Record:   First round loss to Cherokee County by a score of 56-28.
Final ASWA Poll:   Not Ranked
Scoring:  456 (41.5)
Defense:  407 (37.0)    (Team record for points allowed in a season)


 2024 
Class: 4A              Region:   7
Strength of Schedule: 64-49 (57%) (68th in the AHSAA, 6th in Class 4A)
Region Strength:  46-43 (52%)
Non-Region Strength:  18-6 (75%)



 2023 Results 
 8/25   OPEN 
 9/1  vs. East Limestone  (5A)   42-35   W  
 9/8  vs. Wilson  (4A)  *  55-14   W  
 9/15  @ West Morgan  (4A)  *  14-56   L  
 9/22  @ Brooks  (4A)  *  28-42   L  
 9/29  @ Westminster Christian  (4A)   54-71   L  
 10/6  vs. Rogers  (4A)  *  42-21   W  
 10/13  vs. Deshler  (4A)  *  47-57   L  
 10/20  @ West Limestone  (4A)  *  48-21   W  
 10/26  vs. East Lawrence  (4A)  *  49-13   W  
 11/3  @ Ardmore  (5A)   49-21   W  
 Playoffs 
 11/9  @ Cherokee County    28-56   L  

 2024 Schedule 
 8/23  @ Colbert County  (3A)       
 8/30  vs. Lauderdale County  (3A)       
 9/6  vs. Wilson  (4A)  *      
 9/13  vs. Brooks  (4A)  *      
 9/20  @ West Limestone  (4A)  *      
 9/27   OPEN 
 10/4  @ Deshler  (4A)  *      
 10/11  vs. East Lawrence  (4A)  *      
 10/18  @ West Morgan  (4A)  *      
 10/25  vs. Hatton  (4A)  *      
 11/1  @ Danville  (4A)  *      
 11/8  vs. Hamilton        
 11/15  @ Cherokee County        


Class  4A Region  7
Team 2023 Record Region Scoring                            
West Morgan (4A) 12-1 7-0663-201
Deshler (4A) 8-4 6-1500-359
Brooks (4A) 8-5 5-2520-463
Hatton (2A) 7-4 4-2300-265
Central Florence (4A) 6-5 4-3456-407
Danville (3A) 3-7 2-4207-329
West Limestone (4A) 5-5 2-5213-256
East Lawrence (4A) 2-8 1-6211-444
Wilson (4A) 1-9 0-7136-434

 2024 Preview 


       Central completed the 2023 season with a 6-5 record. With their 4-3 region record and a fourth place finish in Class 4A region seven, the Wildcats earned a spot in the playoffs in 2023. Central's season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs when they fell to Cherokee County by a score of 56-28.

       The defense allowed a team record 407 points last season.

       The high-scoring Central Florence offense ranked 20th in the AHSAA. They averaged 41.5 points a game.

       Central had a very good offense last year, scoring 41.5 points per game, but it couldn't keep up with a defense that gave up 37.0 points per game.

       Since 2010, Central has gone a combined 87-67. Their 56.5% winning percentage ranks 21st in Class 4A over the past fourteen seasons.

       Over the past 25 seasons, Central has managed to compile a record of 131-138. Their 49.0% winning percentage ranks 37th in Class 4A and 205th in the AHSAA.

Head Coach:
       The Wildcats are led by head coach Heath Wood who is entering his fourteenth season at the helm. He has compiled a record of 77-65 over the past thirteen seasons at Central. Under his direction the Wildcats have qualified for the playoffs a total of eleven times. They have won one region crown with Coach Wood.

Season Outlook:

       The Central Wildcats will play in Class 4A region seven during the 2024 season.

       The Wildcats have one of the toughest overall schedules in Class 4A. Their opponents had a combined record of 64-49 last season. That ranks 6th in Class 4A and 68th in the AHSAA.

       The Wildcats have managed to qualify for a playoff spot in each of the past six seasons which is very good. The one negative is that they have not won a playoff game since the 2013 football season.

       Last year the Wildcats were great on offense scoring an amazing school record 456 points. The problem was the defense allowed 407. In each of their four losses they gave up over forty points. With Palmer returning at running back and a quarterback with experience they will have the nucleus of what could once again be a good offense that can put up points.

    The Wildcats have a good shot at one of the last two playoff slots in region seven this season. They have qualified for the playoffs every year since 2017 and are hopeful to continue that streak in 2024.

Players to Watch in 2024:
      QB Jackson Brewer will be returning after completing 41-of-78 passes for 838 yards and 9 TDs last season.

      RB Hunter Palmer will also be returning after rushing for 1,892 yards and 31 TDs last season. RB Bryant Hanback will be back too for his senior season after rushing for 1,024 yards and 14 TDs last season.

      OLB Eli Wood collected 120 tackles (49 solo) including one sack and will be back for his senior season.

Returning Starters:
CB Logan Galliano, RB/MLB Donevin Farris, RB/LB Eli Wood, RB/CB Manny Davis, WR/DE Brody Cole, TE/MLB Reed Bruce

Season Opener:
       The Wildcats open the 2024 season on the road against non-region opponent Colbert County on Friday, August 23 at C.T. Manley Stadium. Last year the Colbert County Indians finished with an overall record of 6-5 and in third place in Class 3A region eight. The Indians lost in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs to Winfield by a score of 43-21.

       Central and Colbert County have met a total of 44 times on the football field. The Wildcats have a 5-38-1 record against the Indians. They last met in 2019 with Colbert County winning by a score of 34-28.

  


Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History

Spence McCracken won a record 21 Area/Region Championships at Montgomery Academy, Lee Montgomery and Opelika during his coaching career.