Central-Phenix City football coach Ron Nelson doesn’t expect his team’s second game against Stanhope Elmore to be any easier than the first meeting.
Central won that one 32-29 Sept. 25. Dante Devouse blocked Marvin Cox’s field goal attempt as time expired to preserve the Red Devils’ victory.
“Stanhope Elmore didn’t have Demarcus Milliner play that night, and he’s the best football player in the state,” said Nelson.
Milliner, who has committed to play for the University of Alabama next season, is one of the top cornerbacks in the nation. He also is a dangerous running back and kick returner.
“He makes them a stronger team than the one we faced last time,” Nelson said.
Central wasn’t at full strength for that game, either, with six players having to stay on the bench.
The teams clash tonight at 8 p.m. in Phenix City’s Garrett-Harrison Stadium in the first round of the Alabama Class 6A playoffs.
Central comes in 9-1, the lone loss Oct. 16 to Auburn. Nelson said fans shouldn’t feel comfortable just because Stanhope Elmore brings a 5-5 record into the game.
“All of their losses have been very close and to good teams,” he said.
For example, the school from Millbrook, Ala., lost to state perennial powerhouse Prattville 7-6 and fell to once-beaten Jess Lanier 17-14.
Central will depend on a strong running game, led by one of Alabama’s best running backs, Deon Hill, who has rushed for 1,329 yards this season.
Stanhope Elmore likes to move through air, riding the strong passing arm of quarterback Arsenio Favor, who has committed to play at Southern Mississippi. He passed for 290 yards and a couple of touchdowns in the first meeting with Central.
“They have some big, athletic receivers,” said Central senior Ucambre Williams, who plays offensive tackle and defensive end for the Red Devils. “The quarterback is a good passer and can really move. One of the keys to this game will be getting the pressure on him with our rush.”
Williams thinks it is exciting to be playing in a rematch.
“They know our strengths and weaknesses and we know theirs,” he said. “Both teams have changed some since that early game, so it will be interesting.”
One change, Nelson said, is that Stanhope Elmore was running a three-man defensive front in the first game but now runs a four-man front. “It fits their personnel better,” said Nelson.
Nelson also noted that their defense blitzes more often now.
“We’ll have to play better this game than we did last time, leaving everything on the field,” Williams said. “As a senior, I realize that every game might be my last. I don’t want it to be against Stanhope Elmore. I want it to be in the state championship game.”
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