Central-Phenix City opens at No. 22 in national high school football rankings

Central-Phenix City ranked No. 22 in the nation the media composite top 25 rankings, MaxPreps announced this week.

The composite rankings pair computer algorithms with rankings from national media outlets to rank the top teams in the country, according to the release from MaxPreps. A team must be included in the top 25 of rankings from at least two national outlets to be considered.

The Red Devils, which also ranked No. 22 in MaxPreps’ own rankings, were the lone team from the state of Alabama ranked in the top 25 of the rankings.

Mater Dei of Santa Ana, Calif. is No. 1 in the rankings, followed in the top five by Nevada’s Bishop Gorman, Florida’s IMG Academy, California’s St. John Bosco and Texas’ DeSoto, respectively.

Central-Phenix City’s returning group includes quarterback Andrew Alford, offensive lineman Mal Waldrep, wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw and defensive lineman Tristan Lyles; all four of which were named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s all-state team last season.

The reigning Class 7A champions ranked atop Class 7A in the ASWA’s preseason football poll, receiving 12 of the 19 first-place votes.

The Red Devils will open the season at home against Pinson Valley on Aug. 23 before facing off against Missouri power Lutheran North the following week. A matchup with IMG Academy on Sept. 27 is also a part of the team’s non-region schedule.