Central beats Missouri school

By David Brent Martin

PHENIX CITY – Central-Phenix City, ranked #19 in the SBLive/SI national high school football rankings, aimed to make a statement against Missouri's Lutheran North.

Buoyed by their dominant 61-14 season-opening win over Pinson Valley (1-1), the Red Devils were poised to assert themselves against a formidable out-of-state opponent.

Under the seasoned leadership of senior quarterback Andrew Alford and backed by solid line play, the Red Devils secured a 30-12 victory over the Crusaders.

The game was broadcast live on the NFHS Network. The Red Devils established early dominance on the line of scrimmage, quickly building a 16-0 lead in the first half—a lead that would prove insurmountable.

Although the Crusaders responded with a spectacular 78-yard touchdown pass before halftime, cutting the deficit to 16-6, their subsequent two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

In the third quarter, the Red Devils extended their lead with another touchdown, bringing the score to 23-6.

A late touchdown with 2:05 remaining in the final quarter further solidified their victory.

Ultimately, the game was won in the trenches, where Central’s line play made the difference.

Alford has now thrown five touchdown passes this season, following an impressive 2023 campaign where he recorded 45 TDs.

His completion percentage at the prep level is just over 65 percent, and over the past two seasons, he has thrown 50 touchdown passes and only three interceptions.

Central (2-0) will next face Smith Station (2-0) on Friday Sept. 6, at 8 p.m. EST.

The battle of unbeatens will take place in Smiths, Ala.