Central-Phenix City Dethrones Thompson to Capture Class 7A State Football Crown

By Josh Bean | For the AHSAA

TUSCALOOSA – Central-Phenix City High School ended Thompson’s drive for five.

The Red Devils (13-0) overcame two muffed punts, a blocked punt and four turnovers, and held off a late Thompson rally, to earn a 21-19 victory in Wednesday’s Class 7A championship game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The victory ended Thompson’s run of four straight 7A championships.

“It wasn’t pretty,” Central-Phenix City coach Patrick Nix said. “We made too many mistakes in the kicking game. We just found a way to win.”

Central-Phenix City (13-0) was the last Class 7A team to defeat Thompson (11-2) in the playoffs, but that was way back in the 2018 championship game. Back then, Nix was winning his second straight 6A title at Pinson Valley.

Central now has three AHSAA state football titles – 1993, 2018 and 2023.

Thompson (11-2) has played in the championship game for six straight seasons, but Central denied the Warriors’ bid to become only the second team in AHSAA history – joining Hazlewood from 1988-92 – to win five straight AHSAA state football championships.

“We made a game of it and had a chance to maybe take the lead there late in the game,” Thompson coach Mark Freeman said.

Central’s victory capped Day 1 of the Super 7, as Wenonah won the Class 1A-5A girls flag title and Central also won the Class 6A-7A girls flag title earlier Wednesday. Class 3A, 1A and 5A championship games are Thursday, followed by title games in Classes 4A, 2A and 6A on Friday.

In Wednesday’s final game, Central built a 14-3 halftime lead as Tristan Williams scored on runs of 2 and 9 yards. The Red Devils muffed a punt in the opening minute of the second half to set up Trent Seaborn’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Colben Landrew with 10:27 to go in the third quarter. Thompson drove inside the Central 10 early in the fourth quarter, but settled for John McGuire’s 29-yard field goal with nine minutes go.

Just three plays later, Central answered as senior receiver and Auburn commit Cam Coleman caught a short pass, broke a tackle and raced for a 73-yard touchdown and a 21-13 lead with 9 minutes to go. He finished with five catches for 143 yards and his one TD to earn MVP honors.

“We just happened to catch them in one of the only times they played man (coverage) all night,” Nix said. “Special players make big plays, and he made a big play.”

Thompson didn’t fold. The Warriors drove 70 yards in five plays, and Seaborn connected with Landrew on perfectly placed pass between three defenders for a 36-yard touchdown. The 2-point pass failed, and Central had a 21-19 lead with 7:02 to go.

Central went three-and-out, and Thompson got the ball back at the Central 44 with 4:51 to play. The Warriors drove to the 26, but Seaborn threw two incompletions and McGuire came on to try a 43-yard field goal. It sailed wide left with 2:46 to go.

Central got the ball back and ran out the clock.

“Give Pat and them credit,” Freeman said. “They made the plays tonight.”

Coleman caught five passes for 143. Yards, and Williams ran 18 times for 125 yards. Zack Simmons Brown added 87 yards for the Red Devils, and Andrew Alford completed 10-of-17 passes for 203 yards. Alford threw a touchdown and an interception.

Seaborn completed 21-of-34 passes for 205 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception.  AJ Green logged 22 carries for 69 yards and caught seven passes for 26 yards.

Vini Pires led the Thompson defense with eight tackles, and Tyler Hicks had six. Brennan Core and Monterrius Echols had eight tackles apiece for Thompson.

SUPER 7 STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Dec. 6-7-8
(Home teams listed second in each pairing)
CLASS 1A FINALS
Coosa Christian (9-5) vs. Leroy (13-0), Thurs., Dec. 7, 3 p.m.
CLASS 2A FINALS
Fyffe (13-1) vs. Reeltown (13-0), Fri., Dec. 8, 3 p.m.
CLASS 3A FINALS
Mobile Christian (14-0) vs. Madison Academy (14-0), Thurs., Dec. 7, 11 a.m.
CLASS 4A FINALS
Montgomery Catholic (14-0) vs. Cherokee County (13-1), Fri., Dec. 8, 11 a.m.
CLASS 5A FINALS
Gulf Shores (14-0) vs. Ramsay (12-2), Thurs.,, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
CLASS 6A FINALS
Saraland (14-0) vs. Clay-Chalkville (13-0), Fri., Dec. 8, 7 p.m.
CLASS 7A FINALS
Central-Phenix City (13-0) 21, Thompson (11-2) 19

GIRLS’ FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS 1A/5A FINALS
Wenonah (17-0) 18, Montgomery Catholic (17-4) 12 (OT)
CLASS 6A/7A FINALS
Central-Phenix City (18-0) 25, Vestavia Hills (17-1) 0