Central Red Devils fall in season opener to Hoover. 3 things we learned
Patrick Nix’s first game in charge of Central didn’t end with celebrations or a Gatorade bath. His Red Devils showed flashes of promise and were arguably the better team for most of the game, but it ultimately was not enough.
“Even in a pandemic,” the Hoover cheerleaders’ pregame banner read, “the Buccaneers still win.”
They weren’t lying. The Red Devils (0-1) dropped their season opener to Hoover (1-0), arguably the top team in Alabama, 45-35.
The Buccaneers didn’t take their first lead until well into the third quarter, and utilized a strong second-half defensive performance to carry them to yet another season-opening victory against the team from Phenix City.
Three things we learned
1. Jackson Meeks might be Central’s new go-to guy
Receiver Jackson Meeks was everywhere for Central Friday night, catching three touchdowns and having one wiped off the board on a highly questionable officiating decision. As the season goes on and the offense finds its rythm, Meeks could be in for a stellar year.
2. The Red Devils have two serviceable quarterbacks, again
Quarterbacks Caleb Nix and Trey Miles both came out slinging in the first half, and both looked capable of handling the reins of the Central offense. But both quarterbacks really tapered off after halftime, and the Red Devils offense as a whole struggled after the break.
Hoover’s front seven took over after halftime
The stat book won’t show it, but much of the reason Nix and Miles struggled to find a rhythm in the second half was because they rarely had time to throw the ball. Hoover’s defensive front was in the backfield nearly every play, which threw off the timing of the entire Red Devils offense.
How they scored
Central-14-14-0-7--35
Hoover-7-14-14-10--45
What’s next?
- Central travels to Eufaula, August 28 at 7 p.m.
- Hoover hosts Bessemer City, August 28 at 7 p.m.
This story was originally published August 22, 2020 at 12:28 AM.
