No. 1 Central-Phenix City will try to end Thompson’s four-year run as the Class 7A state champion tonight.

The Red Devils (12-0) and Warriors (11-1) will kick off at 7 p.m. at Tuscaloosa’s Bryant-Denny Stadium.

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Mark Freeman’s Thompson team has won seven straight games since its only loss of the season to Class 6A finalist Clay-Chalkville. The Warriors have outscored the competition 463-122 this season. Freeman is going for his 11th overall state title as a head coach.

Central is looking for its first state title since 2018. Patrick Nix’s team has outscored its competition 535-145 this season. Nix won two previous state titles at Pinson Valley.

AL.com asked several coaches who are familiar with the teams for some insight into the matchup. Here’s a look at how the championship breaks down:

In the playoffs:

Thompson: Defeated Florence 42-0, Vestavia Hills 34-14 and Hewitt-Trussville 21-10.

Central-Phenix City: Defeated Davidson 63-21, Auburn 49-21 and Mary G. Montgomery 21-7.

How do you beat Thompson?

Coaches mentioned several things. First, Central needs to run the ball successfully on offense. The Red Devils have a slew of talented receivers and will occasionally throw 50-50 balls to allow their athletes to make plays, according to coaches. That may not work against a talented Thompson secondary. “If you do that against Thompson, (Anquon) Fegans will pick you off.” Patrick Nix’s team needs offensive balance. On defense, Central must defend the perimeter and not get lulled to sleep by Thompson’s running game. The Warriors do a nice job with play-action passes for young QB Trent Seaborn. Obviously, turnovers are always a key, but the more you make Thompson try to drive 80 yards, the better off you will be.

How do you beat Central-Phenix City?

No one has done it so far this year obviously. The first key is trying to matchup up with the Red Devil receivers. Auburn commit Cam Coleman and junior Daylyn Upshaw have combined for 114 receptions and 32 touchdowns. “If you try to take Coleman away with double or bracket coverage, they have two other guys who are a problem as well. It’s hard to stop all of them,” one coach said. The best solution for Thompson is likely to keep the ball away from Central as much as possible and not turn it over. “And you better score every time you touch it because they are going to score.”

Player to watch: Thompson

Anquon Fegans, junior, defensive back

Fegans, the, No. 6 junior recruit in the state of Alabama, will have a huge role for Thompson in trying to contain Coleman, Upshaw and the other Central receivers. He enters the game with 68 tackles, five interceptions and 11 pass breakups. “Fegans allows them to do things defensively they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise,” One coach said. “He’s so good, an NFL talent.”

Player to watch: Central-Phenix City

Cameron Coleman, senior, wide receiver

Coleman, the No. 1 player on AL.com’s revamped A-List of top senior prospects in the state of Alabama, made news last week when he flipped his commitment from Texas A&M to Auburn. One coach said Coleman is the best receiver he has seen in the state since Hoover’s George Pickens and “maybe better. He’s generational.” Coleman comes into the game with 56 receptions for 1,229 yards and 17 TDs.

Stat sheet: Thompson

Freshman QB Trent Seaborn is completing 73 percent of his passes for 2,388 yards and 25 TDs. He’s been intercepted five times. Senior AJ Green is the leading rusher with 1,048 yards and 13 TDs on 153 carries. Junior Michael Dujon has 6 rushing TDs. The leading receivers are senior Deuce Oliver (72 receptions, 691 yards, 3 TDs), sophomore Colben Landrew (25 receptions, 504 yards, 11 TDs) and senior Kolby Hearn (31 receptions, 687 yards, 7 TDs). Defensively, Auburn commit Kaleb Harris leads the way with 113 tackles, including 12 TFL. Fegans follows with 68 and junior Vince Pires had 58.

Stat sheet: Central-Phenix City

Junior QB Andrew Alford and senior WR Cameron Coleman are both considered Mr. Football candidates. In his first year as a starter, Alford has completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,384 yards and 44 TDs. He’s been intercepted just twice. The Red Devils have a double-barreled rushing attack with senior Zack Simmons (118 carries, 746 yards, 9 TDs) and junior Tristan Williams (62 carries, 733 yards, 9 TDs). Daylyn Upshaw has 58 receptions for 1,174 yards and 15 TDs. Senior Dylan Gentry has 27 receptions for 504 yards and 7 TDs. The defense is led by sophomore Tristan Lyles with 79 tackles, including 31 for a loss. Alabama DL commit Isaia Faga has 77 tackles, including 28 for a loss, and 11 sacks. Fellow Tide commit Red Morgan has 59 tackles and 3 interceptions.

Did you know? Thompson

Thompson could become the first team in the AHSAA’s largest classification to win five state titles and just the second overall. Hazelwood won five consecutive 2A titles from 1988-1992.

Did you know? Central-Phenix City

The Red Devils hold the last playoff win over Thompson. Central defeated the Warriors 52-7 in the 2018 Class 7A championship game at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The coaches

Patrick Nix is 43-9 in four years at Central-Phenix City and 109-31 in 11 years as a high school coach overall. He won a pair of Class 6A state titles at Pinson Valley in 2017 and 2018 and is now in his second 7A final with the Red Devils. Mark Freeman is 94-19 in his ninth year at Thompson and 258-56 overall. In addition to his four state titles at Thompson, Freeman also won a pair of 5A titles at Spanish Fort and four AISA state titles at Bessemer Academy.

Game within a Game

Which quarterback plays the best? Though he’s only a freshman, Seaborn already has proven he is not afraid of the big stage. He threw five TD passes in last year’s state title game at Auburn and was named MVP. Alford has led Central through an unbeaten season and thrown 44 TD passes. Which one has the most time to throw and makes the most plays and the fewest mistakes?

Wildcard

Thompson’s experience. The Warriors have not only won four straight 7A titles, but this is the sixth straight year they’ve been in the game. “It’s hard to emulate that experience,” one coach said. “There are times this year when they’ve looked beatable, but usually when they get to this point they play really well. I will say that Central does have the tools to beat them.”

Rankings/On the air

Central-Phenix City was ranked No. 1 in the final ASWA Class 7A poll, while Thompson was No. 2. In this week’s AL.com Power 25, the Red Devils were No. 1 and Thompson was No. 4.

For the second straight year, all seven boys’ championship games and the girls’ Flag finals will be televised live over the Alabama Public Television Network. The games are being produced by the NFHS Network. All games will also be live streamed over the NFHS Network and over the AHSAA Radio Network as well.

AL.com Prediction

Central-Phenix City 27, Thompson 24

(Prediction comes from analysis from 7A coaches polled)