The Bama Buzz Game of the Week: No. 1 Central-Phenix City to host No. 2 Auburn for region showdown
Reading time: 3 minutes
One of the biggest region matchups of the year has arrived and the high school football world will be closely tuned in Friday night.
The top two teams in Class 7A will square off with bragging rights and the top spot in the region on the line. Here’s what you need to know:
- Who: #2 Auburn Tigers (5-0) at #1 Central-Phenix City Red Devils (5-0)
- Where: Garrett-Harrison Stadium, 3800 Summerville Road, Phenix City, AL 36867
- When: 8PM ET, Friday, Oct. 4
At least one of these two teams have reached the Super 7 in each of the last six seasons. The Red Devils, who are the defending 7A state champions, have won five of the last six games in the rivalry.
Both teams saw their games get canceled last week due to rain so they’ll certainly be ready for a battle by the time kickoff arrives Friday night.
Keep reading to find out more about both teams + check out what other games you should be keeping an eye on this weekend.
Auburn Tigers
Last season, Auburn fell short of the 7A semifinals for the first time since 2018. The Tigers still opened this year at No. 4 in the Alabama Sports Writers Association and after winning their first five games, Auburn has moved into a nearly unanimous No. 2.
This season, Auburn has three wins against opponents currently ranked in the top 15 including:
- 52-17 over No. 15 Vestavia Hills
- 28-21 over No. 12 Opelika
- 53-22 over No. 9 Enterprise
Through five games, the Tigers are averaging 45.8 points per game which would be their highest since coach Keith Etheredge took over in 2020.
Auburn has several top recruits to keep an eye on throughout the night and the rest of the season including:
- CB La’Mychael Green
- WR Peyton Plott
- DL Caleb Pitts
- OL Trinton Pritchett
- RB Omar Mabson
Central-Phenix City Red Devils
Central has run its winning streak to 18 games now with the team’s last loss coming to Auburn in the 2022 state semifinals. Since 2018, the Red Devils have won 75 games, five region titles and two state championships.
This season, Central has been the unanimous No. 1 team in 7A since its season opening win over Pinson Valley. Their average margin of victory this season is 27.8 points per game.
The Red Devils have won the last three games in this rivalry series by three touchdowns.
Central’s defense is led by a pair of 3-star defensive end recruits in Tristan Lyles and Makel Green. The Red Devils have other big recruits including:
- RB Donovan Crow
- WR Daylyn Upshaw
- OT Mal Waldrep
- CB Monterrius Echols
Other games to watch in Week 6
After taking a break with a full slate of non-region games last week, most teams will return to region play as the state playoff brackets will start to take shape over the next 2-3 weeks.
Here’s some of the big games to keep an eye on Friday night:
- 7A #9 Enterprise at #3 Carver-Montgomery
- 7A #5 Hewitt-Trussville at #4 Thompson
- 6A #8 Mountain Brook at #2 Clay-Chalkville
- 6A Athens at #6 Muscle Shoals
- 5A #6 Moody at Center Point
- 4A #1 Jackson at #6 St. Michael
- 3A Locust Fork at 3A #3 Piedmont
- 2A #4 Tuscaloosa Academy at #6 Vincent
What are you most looking forward to in Week 6? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
