Jacy Todd is a retired high school football coach. Todd spent 20 years coaching high school football with stops at Daphne, Fairhope, Auburn, Northridge and Baker. He was defensive coordinator at each of his last four stops. Each week he breaks down one of the state’s biggest games.

It’s not hard to pick the biggest game in the state in Week 9.

Class 7A No. 1 Auburn – the only undefeated team left in the state’s largest classification – takes the road to take on No. 4 Central-Phenix City in a battle for first place in Region 2.

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One of these two teams has represented the south in the last four Class 7A state title games.

Auburn is 7-0, 5-0 in region play with three region games remaining. Central is 6-2, 5-1 in region play with two games left. The two teams met twice a year ago with the Red Devils pulling off the sweep on the way to a 7A runner-up finish.

Here are Todd’s keys for each team in their first matchup of 2022:

AUBURN

1. Can the Auburn offensive line led by Auburn University commit Bradyn Joiner create push on a talented Central defensive line led by top 10 recruit Tomarrion Parker? Talk about good on good here. Auburn has a large and talented offensive line that will match up with a talented Red Devil defensive front. Staying ahead of the chains with a solid running game will be a key for the Tigers.

2. Can the Auburn defense make Central-Phenix City QB Jaylen Epps one dimensional? Central has done a great job of mixing its offensive schemes between spread, 20, 11 personnel while also adding designed quarterback runs with RPOs. It becomes a tall hill for a defense to climb. Will Auburn want to commit seven or more to the box to limit the run or stay with a 2-high safety look to help defend Central’s talented skill players, including wide receiver Karmello English?

3. Will Auburn quarterbacks Clyde Pittman and Davis Harsin be able to navigate Central’s pass rush and distribute the ball to their playmakers or create offense on their own? The two quarterbacks both make great decisions, but what they are able to do when or if protection breaks down will be a key in this one.

CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY

1. What can the Red Devils throw at the Auburn offense to slow it down? Auburn has really started to find its footing offensively in the last three game, averaging a little more than 50 points in that span. Does Central come into this game with the “pressure bursts pipes” mentality or the bend don’t break?

2. Does Central have to do anything different to be able to score with Auburn? The Central offense has been great this year, but do the Red Devils need to take more risks to stay ahead of a high-scoring Auburn offense? That could translate into being aggressive on 4th down or a timely fake punt to steal a possession.

3. Can Central get the ball to their playmakers consistently? English is sensational, and he’s not the only weapon for the Red Devils. Coach Patrick Nix will need to find efficient ways to get the ball into his best playmakers’ hands.

WHAT WOULD JACY DO?

We are talking about two of the best teams in the state, and it should be a great game in an awesome atmosphere in Central. If I am Central, I bring pressure early and often. I try to create as many negative plays as I can knowing that Auburn is not a team that will beat itself with penalties and turnovers. I know it is easier said than done but try not to let the big Auburn offensive line wear you out through the game. If I am Auburn, I do everything I can to ground and pound. Use your massive offensive line to not only shorten the game but also keep the explosive Central offense on the sidelines.

AUBURN (7-0) AT CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY (6-2)

Time/location: 7 p.m. Friday, Garrett-Harrison Stadium, Phenix City

Last week: Auburn was idle; Central-Phenix City defeated Lee-Montgomery 54-14

Region standings: Auburn is 5-0 in Class 7A, Region 2. Central is 5-1

The skinny: Auburn could maintain its hold on first with a win. A Central win puts the Red Devils in first place with two weeks left. … Central leads the overall series 41-16-3. The two teams met twice in 2021 with the Red Devils winning 21-7 in the regular season and 28-17 in the state semifinals. … One of these two teams has represented the south in the Class 7A title game each of the last four years. … Auburn is averaging 39 points a game and giving up 15. QB Clyde Pittman is 71-of-102 for 974 yards and 13 TDs. He’s been intercepted just once and that came off a tipped ball. Davis Harsin is 31-of-47 for 517 yards and 6 TDs with 2 interceptions. Da’Vaioun “DV” Williams (96 carries, 668 yards, 9 TDs) is the leading rusher. Pittman has 4 rushing TDs and a receiving TD. Ean Nation has 39 receptions for 598 yards and 7 TDs. Defensively, the Tigers are led by Coleman Granberry (74 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks) and Klark Cleveland (73 tackles, 14 TFL, 2 sacks). … Central’s only losses have come in overtime at Opelika (17-14) and at home to national power IMG Academy (41-26). The Red Devils are averaging 35 points a game and giving up 18. Jaylen Epps is completing 59 percent of his passes for 1,599 yards and 16 TDs. He’s been intercepted 5 times. Epps also has rushed 62 times for 391 yards and 4 TDs. Junior Zack Simmons (447 yards, 5 TDs) is the team’s leading rusher. Karmello English has 45 receptions for 503 yards and 5 TDs, while Cameron Coleman has 18 receptions for 357 yards and 5 TDs. On defense, Tomarrion Parker has 38 tackles 11.5 TFL and 8.5 sacks. … Auburn coach Keith Etheredge is 17-3 in his second year with the Tigers and 167-55 in 17 years overall. Central-Phenix City coach Patrick Nix is 27-8 in his third year with the Red Devils and 93-30 in 10 years overall.