#3 Central-Phenix City will face off #3 Opelika in a non-region game at Bulldogs Stadium Friday night. These two teams go way back in the series between the two schools and this season both teams are ranked high in their classifications.

First-year coach Jamey Dubose has the Red Devils playing at a high level this season. "We are a team of confidence as the weeks go on," said Dubose. "We truly see a group of kids coming together on offense and defense pulling for each other during the game. We have a team of family, unity, and a team of one which is nice to see as a coach. We are gaining a never quit attitude and always fight to the end with some of our close games this season."

Central (5-0, Class 7A) has a lot of weapons on offense to throw at a defense. Sophomore quarterback Zion Webb leads the Red Devils offense. "He has been solid for us," added Dubose. "I think he is going to be a great player in this league for years to come. It's been a learning process but has come back with some big plays for us. He has a strong arm and has complete control of the offense. A great job of getting the ball to our playmakers." Last week against Prattville, Webb completed 7-of-15 passing for 181 yards and three touchdowns of 23, 16 and 11 yards. For the season, Webb has completed 44-of-80 passing for 618 yards and eight touchdowns.

The backfield is in good hands with the dynamic duo of Traveon Samuel and Kenneth Thomas. Samuel, a Louisville commit, gets put in the backfield, slot and can get the edge with the best of them. Thomas is the big back that likes running between the tackles. "Traveon is an exciting player that never quits," added Dubose. "He is so hard to tackle. He can bring power with great balance but has tremendous speed. He wants the ball and has made a lot of big plays for us."

Thomas has four 100-yard games in a row coming into this game. "Kenneth is a big back, our everydown back," said Dubose. "He is a hard runner with great agility. He can get the hard yards when we need them. He has been the biggest surprise to us offensively." Thomas has a 186-yard game earlier in the season. Thomas is averaging a whopping 6.9 yards per carry.

Receivers Jamal Couch and Quan Weaver each caught touchdowns from Webb last week, along with tight end Ethan Baber.

On the Central defense, Walter Pritchett at defensive end is a good pass rusher and senior Deiondre Kiinard at outside linebacker is a solid pass rusher that can make some great plays anywhere on the field. Camarcus Williams another defensive lineman has been a key player on stopping the run for the Red Devils. Linebackers Markail Benton and Toron Morton lead the team in tackles. Both players average over eight tackles per game. The defensive front line has done a great job of taking on blockers freeing up Benton and Morton for tackles this season.

Bernardo Hinton at safety is another key piece to the defense not only defending the pass but rolling up to make plays in stopping the run game. John Broussard can one side an opponent passing game.

For Opelika (4-0, Class 6A) has started fast this season and look to continue their winning ride. "Were getting a little bit better," said Bulldogs head coach Brian Blackmon. "Offensively we are a little more accomplished. On defense, our secondary is getting a little bit better. Were playing real good on that side of the ball. Oxford game us a great test in the secondary and we held our own."

For the Bulldogs on offense. Quarterback Matthew Christian has been a very effective passer for Opelika. "His knowledge of the game is really good," said Blackmon. "We felt like he was playing well before he was hurt in week six last season. He is one of the most accurate quarterbacks that I have ever coached. He is an extension to us having a coach on the field." For the season, Christian is hit on 71.4% of his passes. He has completed 40-of-56 passing for 765 yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception. With the success of the quarterback play this season, the Bulldogs offense has been more balanced this season. James Moss (four touchdowns) and Kyle Fourtenbary (1 TD) and Lydell Vines (1 TD) have benefited from the balanced offensive attack.

At running back, newcomer John Johnson brings a hard nose style of running. He can get get the long run or get the big short first down. "He had to learn a little bit of patience with our offense to start with," said Blackmon. "Anytime you come into a new system, but the last two weeks he has over 100-yards rushing in those two games and has been a bright spot for us."

On defense, Roy Yancey at linebacker is the key to the Bulldogs defense. Against Pell City earlier in the season, Yancey had 21 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery in one game. "He is constantly around the football," added Blackmon. "He was a second team all-state player before he hurt is knee in the last game last season. He has really stepped up his game and has been back to form."

Quandeski Whitlow at defensive end is playing at a high level getting to the quarterback which in turn helps out the young secondary. Jared Gentry at defensive tackle has stood out for the defense for the Bulldogs.

The key to this game will be the guys up front. Even though both teams bring more balance with their offenses, the team that can run the football the best could come out the winner of this big game. Central will try to get a couple of big plays down the field with the strong arm of Webb.