2 flag football teams in the Columbus area finish season ranked among nation’s top 25
Two high school flag football teams in the Columbus area finished this year ranked among the nation’s best — and one is in the top spot.
Central-Phenix City is No. 1, and St. Anne-Pacelli is No. 17, in the USA Today Sports Super 25 Girls Flag Football final rankings for the 2025 season.
USA Today Network’s selection committee of editors and writers in participating states and the USA Today High School Sports staff determine the rankings.
The Central Red Devils went 20-0 this year, completing their third straight undefeated season and extending their winning streak to 57 games as they won their third consecutive Alabama High School Athletic Association state championship.
In this season’s AHSAA Class 6A/7A title game, Central’s 46-7 victory over Vestavia Hills, which was ranked No. 6 in the nation and was on a 28-game winning streak, is indicative of the Red Devils’ continued dominance. They outscored their opponents 840-39, with 16 shutouts, for an average margin of 42-2 this year.
Central’s last loss was 26-20 to Auburn three years ago in the state quarterfinals.
Across the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, the St. Anne-Pacelli Vikings also have a flag football team excelling against the competition.
The Vikings won their fourth straight Georgia Independent Athletic Association state championship, commanding Mount de Sales 20-0 in the title game. They finished the season with a 19-1 record, outscoring opponents 515-70, with an average margin of 26-4, including shutouts in their last six games.
Their lone loss this year was 13-7 Oct. 22 to Allatoona, which finished the season 11-5.
Two high school flag football teams in the Columbus area finished this year ranked among the nation’s best, including one in the top spot.
Central-Phenix City is No. 1, and St. Anne-Pacelli is No. 17, in the USA Today Sports Super 25 Girls Flag Football final rankings for the 2025 season.
USA Today Newtork’s selection committee of editors and writers in participating states and the USA Today High School Sports staff determine the rankings.
The Central Red Devils went 20-0 this year, completing their third straight undefeated season and extending their winning streak to 57 games as they won their third consecutive Alabama High School Athletic Association state championship.
In this season’s AHSAA Class 6A/7A title game, Central’s 46-7 victory over Vestavia Hills, which was ranked No. 6 in the nation and was on a 28-game winning streak, is indicative of the Red Devils’ continued dominance. They outscored their opponents 840-39, with 16 shutouts, for an average margin of 42-2 this year.
Central’s last loss was 26-20 to Auburn three year ago in the state quarterfinals.
Across the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, the St. Anne-Pacelli Vikings also have a flag football team excelling against the competition.
The Vikings won their fourth straight Georgia Independent Athletic Association state championship, commanding Mount de Se Sales 20-0 in the title game. They finished the season with a 19-1 record, outscoring opponents 515-70, with an average margin of 26-4, including shutouts in their last six games.
Their lone loss this year was 13-7 Oct. 22 to Allatoona of Acworth, which finished the season 11-5.
Central and Pacelli planning to play each other in 2026
The Ledger-Enquirer didn’t reach Central head coach Mitchell Holt for comment before publication, but Pacelli head coach Zach Corcoran said he and Holt are trying to schedule a game for their teams to play each other next season.
Although the Red Devils and Vikings didn’t play each other this season, they have met twice: Central won 26-0 in 2024, and Pacelli won 18-0 in 2021.
The Vikings expect to have all but one of their starters return next season after starting four freshmen on offense and defense this year. Until then, they will savor this season.
“I think they take pride in the goal that we have each season, and that’s to compete on a national stage and on a state level, regardless of our school size and our classification in our private school league or independent school league,” Corcoran said. “… So I’m super proud of where we finished up. We had an amazing year with some especially big-time wins over bigger schools that ended up making or winning a state championship (Pope and Milton).”
And this national ranking proves folks have noticed their success beyond Georgia and Alabama.
“That’s just a testament to our players and our program and all their hard work and dedication to the school and to the sport of flag football,” he said.
This story was originally published December 30, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
