Auburn withered under a swirl of mistakes Friday night but those only served to make it easier for a Central-Phenix City offense that didn’t need any help.

The No. 4-ranked Red Devils took advantage of three turnovers to score three touchdowns —including defensive back Quintavious Billingsley’s 88-yard interception return in the fourth quarter — and quarterback Jaylen Epps pulled the levers for 432 yards of total offense in a 38-17 rout of the No. 1-ranked Tigers on Trawick Field at Garrett-Harrison Stadium in Phenix City.

“It was the most complete game we’ve played this year,” Central coach Patrick Nix said after his Red Devils (7-2, 6-1) took control of the 7A Region 2 race. “Anytime you don’t have to punt, you’ve had a good night.”

Epps, Central’s senior quarterback, scored on a 50-yard run off a masterful fake three plays into the second half to quell any hopes Auburn had of a comeback victory, distributed the ball to seven receivers in a 13-of-18 passing night for 181 yards and led the Red Devils on scoring drives of 49, 71, 90, 80 and 61 yards.

“Jaylen was very efficient,” Nix said, and when his offensive line wasn’t opening holes for 251 yards rushing, Epps kept plays alive by dodging blitzing defenders.

The Tigers (7-1, 5-1) — who suffered their worst loss since Central won 34-7 in 2019 — fell behind 21-3 at halftime and couldn’t recover, although quarterback Clyde Pittman was 21-of-32 passing for 277 yards and a touchdown.

“We turned the ball over early and it killed us,” Auburn coach Keith Etheredge said. “It’s the first time we’ve done that this year and you can’t do that against a good team.”

This post will be updated