The 2016 football season is looking good for the Red Devils of Central High School (Phenix City, AL). Loaded with talent, Central seems to be on the brink of being able to close the deal this fall on a state championship.
Last year was a great year for the Red Devils with a 9-4 overall record. Central was the AHSAA 2/7A Region Champ for the second year in a row going 5-1 and made it to the semi-finals for only the third time in school history.
Central High’s head football coach Jamey DuBose wants his team to come out the winners this time around. Those in his program of 145 football athletes worked in the off-season learning to finish and focused on the strength for a playoff run. The road to the title is long and takes a toll on athletes. DuBose’ players spent more time in the weight room to ward off injuries in hopes of staying healthy throughout the regular and post-season play.
DuBose has a loaded roster to make that run. Of course, the Red Devils will miss the contributions of the 13 football athletes from Central who signed football scholarships but the team is returning some standout talent. Quarterback Zion Webb is returning after missing most of the season last year due to injury. The 6’1” 205 lb. athlete is considered a top college prospect. Another college prospect, wide receiver Justyn Ross also suffered an injury last season but it came during post-season play. He was Central’s leading receiver with 34 receptions for 672 yards and should be dynamic on the field in 2016.
Returning speedster Karon Delince (DB) is expected to make big plays, too. Delince was the team’s leader in interceptions and made the list for players to watch as college prospects. Other returning starters on that list are Demetrius Pettway (DB), Markail Benton (LB), Red Devils 2015 leading TD scorer, Jaxton Carson, who had a total of 16 touchdowns, and Trent Kelley (OL). Kelley, who stands 6’5” and weighs in at 305 pounds, leads the team in academic scoring. He currently carries a 4.11 GPA. Rounding out the returning starters for the 2016 season are Jahlil Ryles (OL), Phillip Parrish (OL), and Christian Allen (WR).
DuBose says the team is strongest offensively, returning a lot of skill and depth in the backfield. There is strong senior leadership on the team, too. The contrast is that the defensive line is young and inexperienced.
This is DuBose third season as Central’s head coach. His expectations have not changed since the first season but the team appears to be in good shape this fall to make the all the pieces fall into place. An undefeated season, region champs the third year in a row and the winner of the state championship game are 2016 goals.
The football program at Central has produced many notable athletes over the years. Red Devils football at Garrett-Harrison Stadium is important to the community. The investment to provide the program with the resources to be competitive is evidence of that value.
“We have a turf field and are in the process of building a multi-purpose practice facility turfed also for all sports to use in case of inclement weather. These two things allow us to always be able to practice no matter the conditions,” says DeBose.
Central faces some tough competition ahead. Game 1 will be against Hoover on August 19 in Montgomery, known as the Champions Challenge.
“This will be a state championship type game early in the season and an opportunity for us to find out where we are and play a game of this caliber in a big atmosphere,” DuBose says.
Central Red Devils
Red Devils Plan To Finish Strong In 2016
Written by Beth Welch
Photo by Jerry Christenson
