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

Defending state champion Thompson opens the 2026 season against Central-Phenix City in a rematch of last year's thrilling 35-34 Class 7A semifinal.
Thompson's quarterback Trent Seaborn (12), an Alabama commit, leads the Warriors against Central-Phenix City in the 2026 AHSAA Kickoff Classic.
Thompson's quarterback Trent Seaborn (12), an Alabama commit, leads the Warriors against Central-Phenix City in the 2026 AHSAA Kickoff Classic. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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

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4th QUARTER

Thompson after having the ball for 10 minutes of the 3rd quarter is eating away the clock in now in the 4th


3rd QUARTER

Thompson runs back an interception for what they think is a touchdown. But officials look like they will bring the ball back to the 22-yard line. 2.6 seconds left

TOUCHDOWN! Seaborn scrambles and throws to Dedrick Kimbrough for a 39-yard score on 3rd and long. Seaborn is always coming up with plays. 2:32 left. Thompson 34, Central-Phenix City 14

Central-Phenix City has to punt and the Warriors take over the ball for the 4th time in Warriors' territory.

TOUCHDOWN! Jafari Pegues with a 1-yard run. Thompson misses PAT. Warriors up 27-14 with 5:27 left. A long, sustained drive for Thompson

4th and 1 from the 1/2-yard line coming up for the Warriors. Going for it with a chance to go up 2 scores

Thompson has the ball and are driving quickly


HALFTIME: Thompson 21, Central-Phenix City 14


2nd QUARTER

TOUCHDOWN! Seaborn to Cowley for a 28-yard score on 4th down. 34 seconds left. Thompson 21, Central-Phenix City 14

Seaborn to Cowley and the ball is down to the Central 30-yard line. Flipped the filed in a hurry

1:58 left in first half.

Jack Ciancio broke Alabama state record for consecutive extra points at 111.

Kick out of bounds by Central-Phenix City. Flag on the play.

TOUCHDOWN! Coleman to Averett for a 57-yard TD pass. PAT is good. Tied at 14-14

Red Devils are at midfield within a few plays.

TOUCHDOWN! Seaborn with a 16-yard touchdown to Darion Moseley with 4:33 left to go. PAT is good. 14-7

Thompson returns the punt to the 3-yard line. Warriors set up with a really short field this time.

Central calls timeout with 5:42 left in 2nd

Central-Phenix City punting from the end of own end zone

Red Devils hold off Warriors, but now deep in own territory

Warriors call a timeout to avoid delay of game. 7:55 left in 1st half. 4th and 1 from the 28-yard line

Central-Phenix City brings the house and Seabold to RB CJ Cowley for a long gain, but facing 4th and 1

TOUCHDOWN! Zion Mabry with a 3-yard run. PAT is good. 9:57 left in the 2nd. Tied at 7.

Coleman to Mike Bass for 1st-down, 1-handed catch, while drawing pass intereference.

Thompson's DB Terry Robinson with a sack. 3rd and 17 from the 21-yard line for the Red Devils


END OF 1: Thompson 7, Central-Phenix City 0


1st QUARTER

Coleman to Averett again. Ball at the 14-yard line after a 29-yard gain. That will be th last play of the 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! Seaborn 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

Seaborn 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.

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Published | Modified
Cody Thorn
CODY THORN

Cody Thorn is a veteran journalist who covers high school sports across the state of Texas and Missouri. He is based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and has covered sports and news since 1999.