As the old saying goes, big-time players make big-time plays in big-time moments in big-time games.

And such was the case for Central-Phenix City’s 5-star wide receiver and Auburn football commit Cam Coleman, who helped his team polish off a win when the stage was the biggest and the lights were the brightest.

Out front 14-13 over the Thompson Warriors in the fourth quarter of Wednesday night’s AHSAA 7A championship game, Coleman hauled in a quick slant and took it 73-yards to the house for the go-ahead touchdown, which stretched the Red Devils’ lead out to 21-13 with nine minutes to plays in the fourth quarter.

Coleman’s catch, which came off the arm of Central quarterback Andrew Alford, went on to be named the play of the game as Central-Phenix City won 21-19, keeping the Warriors from winning their fourth consecutive 7A state title.

Coleman, who flipped his commitment from Texas A&M to Auburn last week, gave Hugh Freeze and the Tigers plenty to look forward to as he tallied five catches for 143 yards and a touchdown in Wednesday night’s state championship win, earning himself MVP honors on the night.

With Coleman’s performance on Wednesday night, the 5-star wide receiver put a bookend on his senior campaign, which saw him record 61 receptions, 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns through 13 games.

Central-Phenix City, which is led by former Auburn quarterback Patrick Nix, finished its 2023 season with a perfect 13-0 record.