Football Game Preview: Lift for Life Academy Hawks vs. Central Tigers

The Lift for Life Academy Hawks will head out on the road to challenge the Central Tigers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Lift for Life Academy will be strutting in after a win while Central will be coming in after a loss.

On Friday, Lift for Life Academy was able to grind out a solid victory over Father Tolton, taking the game 28-21. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Hawks.

Phoenix Isaiah

Passing Yards (Career)

10/10/25 @ Father Tolton	371
09/20/25 vs Summit Christian Academy	280
09/12/25 @ Baylor	237
09/06/25 @ Cahokia	235
09/20/24 @ St. Mary's South Side	231

Lift for Life Academy's win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Phoenix Isaiah, who threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns. Those 371 passing yards gave Isaiah a new career-high. Lift for Life Academy's leading receiver Ekeilan Henderson was Isaiah's top target yet again, picking up 196 receiving yards and a pair of TDs.

Meanwhile, Central was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They took a hard 35-21 fall against Farmington. The Tigers were up 14-0 in the first quarter but couldn't hold on to the lead.

The loss was their first at home , dropping their record down to 4-3. As for Lift for Life Academy, their win bumped their record up to 5-2.

Lift for Life Academy lost to Central on the road by a decisive 44-28 margin in their previous meeting back in October of 2024. Thankfully for the Hawks, Zai'Aire Thomas (who rushed for 84 yards and four scores, and also picked up 102 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.