Both teams enter Friday's showdown averaging over 50 points per game this season.
IMG Academy (4-0) has 39 players with a three-star rating or higher, including seven who are five-stars.
Quarterback
Jayden Wade, wide receiver
Eric McFarland and offensive linemen
Major Green and
Jamarios Canton are all five-stars from the Class of 2028.
How to watch
Date/location: Friday, Sept. 26
Location: Garrett-Harrison Stadium – Phenix City, Ala.
Kickoff: 8 p.m. CT
Streaming: MaxPreps |
YouTubeTickets: GoFanBroadcast team: Jeff Kurtz, Zack Poff
Central (5-0) is the No. 2-ranked team in Alabama and won a state championship in 2023. Junior quarterback
Bobby Coleman has double-digit scholarship offers and 1,140 yards through the air and 13 touchdown passes through five games. His brother is Class of 2023 five-star wide receiver Cameron Coleman, who now plays at Auburn.
The Red Devils are coached by Patrick Nix, a former Auburn quarterback who led the Tigers to victory over No. 1 Florida during the 1994 college football season. Nix, who has been at Central since 2020, has 125 career wins since becoming a head coach in 2013.
Central has topped 50 points in four games this season while IMG Academy has allowed just 40 total points.
The MaxPreps social media team will be on campus for Game of the Week to highlight top players, behind-the-scenes action and showcase what makes high school football special. Calling the game will be Jeff Kurtz alongside MaxPreps National Football Editor Zack Poff.
Players to watch
IMG Academy: QB
Jayden Wade (6-4, 190), RB
Le'Khy Thompkins (6-2, 236), OT
Keenyi Pepe (6-7, 338), EDGE
Zyron Forstall (6-4, 235), EDGE
Jake Kreul (6-3, 230)
Central: QB
Bobby Coleman (5-11, 170), RB
Donovan Crow (6-0, 210), IOL
Jatori Williams (6-5, 320), S
Tony Arnett (6-1, 180), EDGE
Tristan Lyles (6-1, 238)
