Top Ranked Central-Phenix City Dominates Opelika 42-6 to Secure Region Title

October 18, 2025

PHENIX CITY, AL – The Central-Phenix City Red Devils claimed their 19th region championship Friday night with a decisive 42-6 victory over rival Opelika at Garrett-Harrison Stadium. The win in the 83rd meeting between the east Alabama programs gives the No. 1 ranked Red Devils homefield advantage for the Class 7A playoffs.

The win gives the Red Devils a 49-34 advantage, all-time, over the Bulldogs in a rivalry that dates back to 1928.

Senior running back Jayshaun Woodhouse was the offensive catalyst for head coach Patrick Nix’s Red Devils, rushing for 294 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. It was his second consecutive game with more than 200 yards on the ground.

Central established an early lead. Quarterback Bobby Coleman Jr. connected with Branden Averitt for a 13-yard touchdown on the team’s second possession. After the defense stopped a fake punt attempt by Opelika, Coleman found J.J. Joiner for a 28-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 14-0.

Opelika scored its only points of the game on two field goals, making the score 21-6 at halftime.

The second half belonged entirely to Central. Following a key defensive stop, Woodhouse broke free for an 83-yard touchdown run on the first play of the drive, pushing the lead to 28-6. Coleman later added a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Woodhouse capped his impressive performance with a 53-yard touchdown run on the final drive of the game.

The Red Devil defense was dominant, holding the Bulldogs to just 227 total yards and preventing them from scoring a touchdown. Defensive lineman Tristan Lyles recorded five sacks and forced a fumble.

With the win, the Devils earn their 10th region title in the past 12 seasons.

Central improves to 8-1 overall and remains undefeated in region play at 6-0. The Red Devils will play their final regular-season game next week at home against Montgomery’s JAG Jaguars (1-7, 0-6). Opelika will look to bounce back by welcoming the Carver Wolverines (5-3, 4-2) to Lee County to cap the regular season.