The Central High School Wildcats of Florence, Alabama, have been one of Class 3A’s most explosive teams this fall — and through six games they own a 5-1 record that has the north Alabama region race in clear sight. After opening the season with four straight wins, suffering their only loss to Brooks, and bouncing back with a 49-15 rout of Clements on Oct. 2, Central controls its own path with four games left, all of them critical.
The season started with fireworks. On Aug. 28, the Wildcats throttled Phil Campbell 49-14 in the home opener. Central then went on the road Sept. 4 and ground out a 20-6 region win at Wilson, followed by a 21-20 thriller over Lauderdale County on Sept. 11 — a one-point win that showed the Wildcats could close tight games. The Sept. 18 home date with Elkmont turned into a showcase: 60-13, the program’s biggest offensive night of the season.
The lone blemish came Sept. 25, when Brooks visited Florence and handed Central a 49-35 loss in a shootout that snapped the unbeaten start. But the Wildcats responded exactly as contenders should, traveling to Clements on Oct. 2 and winning 49-15 to move to 5-1.
Game-by-Game Schedule
Friday, Aug. 28 — vs Phil Campbell (Bobcats) — W 49-14. A season-opening statement at home; the offense put up 49 in its first outing.
Friday, Sept. 4 — at Wilson (Warriors) — W 20-6. A region win on the road built on defense, holding Wilson to six points.
Friday, Sept. 11 — vs Lauderdale County (Tigers) — W 21-20. A one-point thriller; Central’s narrowest win of the season and proof it can win close.
Friday, Sept. 18 — vs Elkmont (Red Devils) — W 60-13. The high point of the fall — 60 points and the Wildcats’ most complete performance.
Friday, Sept. 25 — vs Brooks (Lions) — L 49-35. The unbeaten run ended in a shootout; Brooks matched Central score for score and pulled away late.
Friday, Oct. 2 — at Clements (Colts) — W 49-15. The bounce-back Central needed, reclaiming control of the region race on the road.
Friday, Oct. 9 — at Colbert Heights (Wildcats). A road region game against a Colbert Heights squad that entered October winless at 0-5.
Friday, Oct. 16 — vs West Limestone (Wildcats). A home region showdown against a 3-2 West Limestone team — potentially the toughest remaining test.
Friday, Oct. 23 — at Rogers (Pirates). Central travels to face a 4-1 Rogers squad; the Pirates were 4-1 entering October and this could decide region seeding.
Thursday, Oct. 29 — vs Hatton (Hornets). The regular-season finale at home against Hatton, which stood undefeated at 5-0 in early October — a possible region-championship game.
Season Notes
Through six games, Central has scored 234 points — an average of 39 per game — behind a rushing attack led by junior running back Lucas Price. The defense has been stout in region play (six points allowed at Wilson) but was gashed by Brooks in the loss. Region record aside, the Wildcats’ three remaining region games — at Colbert Heights, home to West Limestone, home to Hatton — will determine their playoff seeding and a shot at the region crown.
What’s Next
The road to a region title runs through the next three weeks. Colbert Heights looks like a tune-up, but West Limestone (Oct. 16) and Hatton (Oct. 29) are the season’s defining games — the finale against unbeaten Hatton could be a winner-takes-all clash for the region. Win two of three, and Central heads into the AHSAA playoffs with real momentum.
