The streak is over. Wednesday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Central (Phenix City) beat Thompson 21-19 to win the Alabama 7A state championship, ending the Warriors’ quest for a record fifth straight state title.
In the last six years, Central, ranked No. 28 in the High School Football America 300, powered by NFL Play Football, is the only school to defeat Thompson in a state championship game. The Red Devils beat the Warriors in the 2018 gold medal game.
Central never trailed in Wednesday night’s game against No. 54 Thompson. The deciding score came around the 9-minute mark of the fourth quarter when Andrew Alford and Auburn-commit Cam Coleman hooked-up on a 73-yard catch and carry, giving the Red Devils a 21-13 lead.
Thompson closed to 21-19 with 7:02 to go in regulation, but its two-point conversation attempt failed. The Warriors had one more shot to win No. 5 when it got to the Central 26, but John McGuire’s field goal attempt missed the mark.
Coleman was named the game’s MVP with five catches for 143-yards and the winning touchdown.
