Thompson vs. Central-Phenix City: Live Score Updates From AHSAA Kickoff Classic in Alabama

The 2026 AHSAA Kickoff Classic features a heavyweight showdown, as Thompson visits Central-Phenix City in a Top 25 Alabama clash.

Refresh This Page for the Latest Updates

1st QUARTER

Roughing the passer call on Thompson. 1st and down at the 43-yard line.

Coleman to Braylen Averett for a 22-yard gain. Ball at the 42-yard line now for Red Devils

TOUCHDOWN! Seabold to TE Tanner Ehmen for a 13-yard score. 1:09 left. PAT is good. 7-0

Thompson gets ball back and driving soon. Seabold to McClure, the transfer from Spain Park, gets the ball on the 25-yard line after a drag route.

Thompson showing 10-man front and Central jumps offsides. 1st-and-15 from the 25.

1st and 10 for Central at own 30. 6:05 left in 1st.

Turnover on down after Warrior. Heat timeout just happened.

Thompson calls a timeout. 6:14 left

4th and goal from the 30 after a sack by junior DE Marcus Price

Bad snap leads to a big loss for Thompson. 3rd and goal from the 24. CJ Cowley falls on ball for Thompson to keep possession

Seabold to Mason McClure for 68-yard gain on the first play. 1st and goal at the 9

Timeout called by Central with 9:03 left.

4th and 1 at the 42 and Red Devils look to be going for it as of now

Fumble on 2nd down, but Central-Phenix recovers.

Central gets the ball first

• Thompson is decked out in all white with red numbers and trim.

• The Red Devils are dressed in red jerseys and pants with white numerals and black helmets.

• The Central band just finished the national anthem and the captains are at midfield for the coin toss.

• Kickoff is schedule for 8 p.m. CT.

Preview

Thompson and Central-Phenix City have spent most of the past decade defining championship football in Alabama’s largest classification. On Thursday night, the two powers will meet again, only this time a season won’t be ending when the final whistle blows.

The Warriors and Red Devils headline the AHSAA Kickoff Classic at Central-Phenix City, renewing a matchup that produced one of the most dramatic games of the 2025 postseason. Thompson survived Central 35-34 in the Class 7A semifinals before going on to win the state championship.

Alabama's Class 7A Powers Meet Again

Between them, Thompson and Central have won every Class 7A championship since 2018. Coach Mark Freeman has led Thompson to six state titles in the past seven seasons and eight consecutive championship-game appearances. Central interrupted the Warriors' championship run in 2023, adding a third state title to championships won in 1993 and 2018.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association changed the classifications last offseason and now 6A is the largest in the state.

The Red Devils begin a new era Thursday under Cody Flournoy, who takes over after Patrick Nix left coaching for ministry. Flournoy arrives after leading Jackson to consecutive Class 4A state championships.

But much of the attention will be on Thompson quarterback Trent Seaborn.

The Alabama commit enters his senior season with 10,145 career passing yards, putting him within striking distance of the Alabama high school record of 11,024 held by Piedmont's Jack Hayes. Seaborn has also thrown 103 career touchdown passes while helping the Warriors reach the state championship game in each of his four varsity seasons.

He'll have plenty of help. Arkansas commit Darion Moseley leads a talented receiving corps, while transfer running back CJ Cowley adds another weapon. Defensively, Oregon commit Cam Pritchett has accumulated 210 career tackles, 36 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks.

Central Has Plenty of Firepower

Central counters with quarterback Bobby Coleman, who threw for approximately 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns last season. The Georgia State commit threw three touchdown passes against Thompson in last year's semifinal, although the Warriors intercepted him five times.

One of Coleman's top targets is sophomore Braylen Averett, a MaxPreps Freshman All-American who surpassed 1,000 receiving yards as a freshman. Miami commit Jatori Williams anchors the offensive line.

Thursday's matchup offers both programs an immediate measuring stick. Thompson begins another pursuit of a Class 7A championship with one of Alabama's most accomplished quarterbacks, while Central gets its first look at the Flournoy era against the program that ended its 2025 season by a single point.

For two teams accustomed to meeting with championships at stake, the 2026 season begins with a game that already feels much bigger than an opener.

Add us as a preferred source on Google