On Friday night, the #2 Auburn Tigers will face the #1 Central-Phenix City Red Devils in a Class 7A, Region 2 contest at Garrett-Harrison Stadium. Both teams are coming off games canceled last week due to weather concerns in the Alabama area.
Both had non-region games that probably will not be made up. Auburn had a game scheduled with 5A Moody, while Central-Phenix City had a game with IMG Academy in Florida. It has been two years in a row since IMG Academy had to cancel a game in Alabama due to travel concerns caused by a hurricane. Both teams come into the 5-0 and 3-0 in region play. Central has won 9-out-of of the last 10 games, and the Tigers are looking to turn it around against the Red Devils on Friday.
The Auburn offense is averaging 45.8 points per game and has been rolling in the first half. Quarterback Jackson Kilgore is having an outstanding season getting the ball to his outstanding talent around him. In his last four games, Kilgore has completed 78-of-102 passing for 925 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception. Kilgore does a great job with the Tigers offense and will be key in this big game.
Running back Omar Mabson is a tough runner that can run between the tackles or on the outside. In five games, Mabson has rushed for 835 yards on 97 carries for a whopping 8.6 yards per carry with 15 touchdowns. Mabson can hit the home run with his speed and quickness, but he will need his offensive line to give him a hole to give the Tigers run game a chance to be successful. Mabson has SEC offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt.
The Tigers wide receivers are having a solid season. Peyton Plott is dangerous to a defense anytime he touches the football. The Georgia Southern commit has 22 receptions for 381 yards and three touchdowns. Josh Askew has 22 receptions for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Antonio Welch, Cash Reif, Mark Bazzell, and Ryan Birchfield will get snaps at the receiver position.
The Tiger's offensive line is huge and could be one of the best in Class 7A. Aidan Platt, Trinton Pritchett, Tucker Aubin, Hugh Bodiford, and Clem Womack are a great unit and are having a great season. Center Bodiford is key to the line with his calling the line signals and will get a test against the Red Devils.
The Tigers' defense gives up 12.6 points per game. Auburn's defense has a lot of talent and will need to play its best game of the season. The defense is in good hands, especially on the defensive line. Defensive lineman Caleb Pitts, an Appalachian State commitment, is having a big season. Linebacker Jackson Lovvorn leads the team in tackles. Linebacker Greg Williams is another key guy in the Tigers' front seven. Linebacker Alex Gamston is another key contributor to the Tigers' defense.
The secondary is led by La'Mychael Gunn, a Liberty University commitment. You had better be careful when throwing him a ball because he could make a big interception that will turn around a game. BJ McGhee is another corner player who has had a couple of interceptions this season. The 2027 defensive back Cortez Cooks is another key contributor in the Tigers secondary. Trey Smith is another defender in the Auburn secondary.
Central-Phenix City's offense is averaging 47.2 points per game. Quarterback Andrew Alford drives the Red Devils' offense. Alford has completed 56-of-86 passing for 962 yards with 15 touchdowns and has not thrown an interception this season. Alford has an offer from Georgia Southern, but many colleges are missing out on this talented quarterback. He can throw a ball in a tight window, knows his offense, and has a lot of offensive weapons with him. Backup Bobby Coleman is waiting in the wings and has a tone of talent and will be the next big thing with the Red Devils.
Running back Tristan Williams is big asset to the Red Devils ground game. He can break open a long run anytime he touches the football. He has a lot of quickness. Williams has an offer from West Georgia and has rushed for 557 yards with eight touchdowns. The senior running back averages 9.3 yards per carry when he touches the ball. Donovan Crow is the key runner for the Red Devils ground game. Crow has 277 yards on 38 carries and four touchdowns.
The receiving core is very good and is one of the best in the state. Wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw is the real deal and a big-time talent for Central. The Miami commitment has 21 receptions for 478 yards and 10 touchdowns. Look at the Red Devils; look for him a lot in this game. Sophomore Branden Brown is a name you will get to know. Brown has 19 receptions for 355 yards with four touchdowns. Another sophomore, Mychal Bass, will be key for the Red Devils offense. Bass has eight receptions for 104 yards and three touchdowns.
The offensive line will have a lot of talent but has the best in one in Class 7A in Mal Waldrep. The Alabama commitment can run block with the best of them, is a solid pass protector, and leads the Red Devils' offensive line. ZaVion Chambers is another key lineman for the Red Devils. Another dominant blocker that can move bodies out of the way. Eric Scribner is another big-frame lineman with good skills and experience on the offensive line.
The Red Devils defense is good but gives up 19.4 points per game. Outside linebacker Tristan Lyles is a star. He leads the Red Devils in tackles for loss with eight on the season. He has 24 tackles and a sack. He requires your attention on offense because he will be key to the Red Devils defense. Deontae Ware leads the Red Devils in tackles with 54 total and six tackles for loss. Linebacker Brennan Core is another key piece to the Red Devils defense. The junior LB has 46 tackles and two tackles for loss.
The secondary has Max Johnson, Cameron Westberry, Tony Arnett, and Terence Jackson. The Red Devils secondary will be tested with an experienced Auburn quarterback.
This game has all the hype, and the winner will have the inside lead for the region title. This is going to be special!
