Prediction: Phenix City Central (Ala.) comes up short in 7A

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in just a few short weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way back over to the Yellowhammer State and check on last year’s AHSAA Class 7A state finalist Phenix City Central Red Devils. Central, a three-time state champion, are looking to make another deep run this fall behind a talented cast of players. Can the Red Devils get back to the title game and win it all?

Player Spotlight: EDGE Tristan Lyles

When it comes to undersized pass rushers in Alabama, Lyles is as good as they come. The 6-foot, 230-pound dynamo comes off the edge as an elite rusher with a rare combination of speed, power. A nightmare for opposing offensive tackles and tight ends to block, Lyles is coming off an impressive junior campaign and looks to cap his high school career with a bang. Last fall, Lyles tallied 69 tackles, 28 for a loss and 11 sacks for the Red Devils.

Others to watch: OL Jatori Williams, QB Bobby Coleman, RB Donovan Crow, S Tony Arnett, WR Jamarcus Davis

Season Prediction: 8-2

The way things ended last season for the Red Devils certainly left a bad taste in their mouths. In a Class 7A classification that continues to become more and more of a gauntlet, with Hoover now back in the mix as a contender, doesn’t make things any easier for Central as they try to nab a fourth state championship. This particular Central squad has to replace both their quarterback and leading rusher from a year ago, which certainly doesn’t make things easy whatsoever. We have Central losing to IMG Academy and The First Academy (Fla.) during the regular season, but we see this team getting to the state semifinals and falling to Hoover.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 22 – at Pinson Valley (Ala.) Indians – W
No better way to start the season than with a 45-7 rout of Pinson Valley.

Aug. 29 – at The First Academy (Fla.) Royals – L
The Red Devils first loss of the season comes on the road against a very talented First Academy program.

Sep. 5 – Smiths Station (Ala.) Panthers – W
Central bounces back at home with a resounding 48-7 beatdown of the Panthers.

Sept. 12 – Dothan (Ala.) Wolves – W
Against Alabama opponents thus far, the Red Devils have been dominant and remain so against the Wolves.

Sept. 19 – at Enterprise (Ala.) Wildcats – W
The Red Devils make it three in a row ahead of a showdown with IMG Academy.

Sept. 26 – IMG Academy (Fla.) Ascenders – L
Playing against arguably one of the nation’s top high school football programs, Central drops their second game of the season.

Oct. 3 – Auburn (Ala.) Tigers – W
Needing to get back on track, the Red Devils do so with a hard fought victory over the Tigers.

Oct. 10 – at Carver Montgomery (Ala.) Hawks – W
Make that two in a row against a couple of Alabama’s top programs.

Oct. 17 – at Opelika (Ala.) Bulldogs – W
Central rolls to a third straight win heading into the regular season finale.

Oct. 24 – at Jefferson Davis (Ala.) Volunteers – W
The Red Devils cap the season with a blowout victory over the Volunteers as they head into the 7A playoffs.