The Extra Point: Chasing Greatness
Recapping the Journey to Greatness.
September 8, 2025
Falcon Nation,
We are thrilled to bring you the latest edition of The Extra Point: Chasing Greatness, our weekly football newsletter. As we enter Week 3 and Game 4 of the season, this recap will highlight standout players, share key moments from the past games, and celebrate the relentless effort our team is putting in on and off the field.
Our mission remains the same—keep you connected to the journey as we chase greatness together. Every practice, every snap, and every extra point counts, and your energy and support continue to fuel our players to give their very best.
Thank you for standing behind our program week after week. Let us continue to soar high, stay united, and make this season one to remember!
With gratitude,
Coach Pippen
Falcon Nation,
Your support at our games is unmatched, and we appreciate your enthusiasm! To ensure the safety, focus, and performance of our student-athletes, sideline, media, and recruiting access is strictly limited — effective immediately.
Who is Permitted Access
Only the following individuals are allowed in restricted areas during home and away games:
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Players, coaches, and team managers
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Official trainers, student trainers, and medical personnel
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Media representatives with approved credentials
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School officials or personnel working in an official capacity with the team
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College and university coaches with approved recruiting/scouting passes
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Individuals holding an approved sideline pass from the CHS Falcons Football Program
Anyone without a valid pass, or not working in an approved role, will be escorted from the restricted areas immediately. Failure to comply may result in removal from the game and could lead to a ban from future Central Falcons football events.
Want Access?
Complete your request by visiting: chs.tuscaloosacityschools.com/athletics/football
- Click the appropriate access request tab, read all instructions, and complete the Google Form.
- All requests are subject to approval. An email will be sent within 24 hours after the form closes to notify you of your approval status.
Not all requests will be filled, as space on the sideline and in media areas is limited. By submitting the respective form, you agree to follow all CHS Football pass policies and rules.
This policy is in place to protect our athletes, maintain game focus, and ensure a safe environment for all. We appreciate your cooperation and continued support for our Falcons.
Thank you for helping keep Falcon football safe, focused, and chasing greatness!
Next Up: JV Falcons Take the Field!
The varsity Falcons slammed the door on Bryant last Friday with a 35–0 statement win that left no doubt who runs the rivalry. Now it is time for the next wave to take the the field.
Falcon Nation, today, September 8th, at 6:00 PM our JV squad kicks off its season under the lights at Falcon Field against the Paul W. Bryant Stampede. The future of Central football is ready to write its own chapter, and they will need your voices in the stands to keep the momentum rolling.
The shutout last week was just the beginning. Now, let us pack Falcon Field and show Bryant that across every level, this rivalry belongs to Central.
Falcons Feast: Central’s 35-0 Flight Over Bryant!
Rivalry nights are supposed to get messy. Not this one. Central walked into Stampede Stadium like the bouncer at closing time and put everybody out, 35–0, no drama, no doubt. From the opening snap, the Falcons dominated, walking out with a 35–0 shutout that felt less like a game and more like a statement.
The moment that broke Bryant’s back was unforgettable. Backed up near their own goal line, Anthony Dixon Jr. took the hand-off, found a crease, and exploded for a 99-yard touchdown that stunned the crowd and set the tone for the night. Dixon did not stop there — he finished with 204 yards and two touchdowns, running with a combination of power and precision that Bryant simply couldn’t match.
But Dixon was not the only one making a statement. Tra’Von Hall added two more rushing touchdowns and 75 yards on just five carries, turning drives into daggers and keeping Bryant on its heels. Central leaned heavily on the ground game, and with 335 rushing yards total, they controlled the clock, wore down the defense, and dominated every phase of the game.
The defense matched that intensity with a relentless performance. Bryant struggled to find openings; every route was contested, every third down felt uphill. By halftime, frustration was visible on the Stampede sideline, and the Falcons’ defensive effort never let up.
There was also an extra subplot. Head coach DeMario Pippen faced his former assistant, Christion Jones, now leading Bryant. No words were necessary; the scoreboard did all the talking.
With the win, Central moves to 3–0 on the season and has now won four straight games dating back to last November: Jackson-Olin, Tuscaloosa County, Calera, and Bryant. That streak is a testament to the team’s preparation, execution, and consistency.
Next week, the Falcons will take on Bessemer City in a highly anticipated rivalry match up, while Bryant looks to regroup as they host Hueytown. But Friday night in Cottondale belonged to Central. The Falcons set the tone, executed with precision, and left the scoreboard speaking loud and clear.
If Central’s aim was to send a message, mission accomplished. #CTO
Hall for a TD!
Money Moves!
What a Grab by Grayson!
Lockdown!
End Zone Celebration!
Dixon for 6!
This week, we are proud to shine a spotlight on Arianna Santana Media, led by the University of Alabama sophomore, Arianna Santana, an Oklahoma native. Arianna has been behind the camera for three years, capturing the energy, emotion, and excitement of sports through her photography and videography.
Arianna loves photographing the moments that make athletes and fans alike jump with excitement—whether it is celebrating a big play, scoring a touchdown, or rallying with teammates. But she also finds beauty in the tougher moments, capturing the raw emotion and determination that tell the full story of the game.
At every event, Arianna’s work goes beyond just photos. Her lens captures the heart of the action—the teamwork, the intensity, and the spirit that makes sports so unforgettable. Through Arianna Santana Media, she is not just creating images; she is preserving memories that players, teams, and their communities will treasure forever.
With dreams of shooting for college or professional teams after graduation, Arianna continues to grow her craft, sharing her passion and energy with every shot she takes.
📸 You can follow Arianna’s journey and see more of her incredible work on Instagram: @ariannasantanamedia.
Clash of the Undefeated: Falcons and Purple Tigers Battle for Week 3!
Falcons on a Mission. When we walked into Stampede Stadium last Friday night, we came to dominate—not just play. The Falcons delivered one of those 35-0 blowouts that fans talk about for years. Anthony Dixon Jr. ripped off a jaw-dropping 99-yard touchdown that turned the stadium into a shock-and-awe zone. He did not stop until he racked up 204 rushing yards and two touchdowns, bulldozing through Bryant defenders like it was a scrimmage. Tra’Von Hall, barely lifting a finger, added two more touchdowns on just five carries, and Central’s relentless ground game produced a staggering 335 rushing yards. Our defense? An avalanche. Bryant could not move the ball, could not breathe in the pocket, and by halftime looked ready for the mercy rule that never came—but the score said it all. Now the Falcons sit at 3-0, riding a four-game win streak since last November. We are not just soaring; we are making statements.
Purple Tigers Skating Past the Competition. Meanwhile for Bessemer, the Purple Tigers glided onto the Brookwood field and made it look easy. Friday, September 5, ended with a 42-14 win—deadly efficient, utterly in control, and no apologies needed. Each quarter piled on points until the final whistle confirmed Bessemer City was not messing around. The MaxPreps rankings tell their own quiet story: the Purple Tigers sit firmly at #82 in Alabama, while Brookwood lags behind at #246. This was not a win; it was a reminder of who’s built for the upper tier. And with that, Bessemer City also improved to a perfect 3-0. No panic in the stands, no second-guessing—just business.
Momentum Meets Momentum. Friday under the lights will not feel like Week 3—it will feel like a crossroads where styles, streaks, and swaggers collide. Central does not do fireworks; we do dominance via grind. We will look to feed the beast in Dixon Jr., control the trenches, chew up the clock, and let Bessemer's own defense feel the same deflation they delivered. Bessemer City is not built that way—they will come at you with pace, space, and the kind of rhythm that makes defenses flinch before the play even starts. If the Purple Tigers can strike fast, make it a track meet instead of a slosh-fest, they just might flip the script.
For Central, the goal is simple: turn this into a slug-fest where every tick of the clock is another win in the war of attrition. For Bessemer, it’s about sprinting out fast, forcing outsiders to chase—not knowing if they are fighting a finesse team or a freight train.
Friday Night Stakes. This is not just bragging rights—it is the first real test of both teams’ mettle. A win for Central confirms they are the power players of the region. A win for Bessemer City says “not so fast”—that their dominance will not be contained by expectations. Whoever walks off the field with the momentum—and the win—could carry that wave deep into region play.
Two undefeated teams. Two styles ready to collide. One Friday night. And only one can leave with both streak intact and the swagger to prove it.
Today, Monday, September 8th, we are celebrating our Quarterbacks Coach, Bruce Jones, II's birthday!
A proud Tuscaloosa native and former Central High School standout, Coach Jones is a true all-around athlete turned mentor. As a player, he showcased his versatility on both sides of the ball, later going on to a decorated professional career where he became a three-time champion with the Alabama Bengals and Alabama Blackhawks.
Since stepping into coaching in 2020, Coach Jones has worked with defensive backs, wide receivers, special teams, and now quarterbacks—helping to shape numerous All-Region athletes with his keen eye for talent and dedication to player development.
Off the field, he is a devoted husband, community leader, and mentor who continues to pour into the next generation, instilling discipline, character, and leadership in every player he coaches. We are proud to celebrate him today and grateful for the impact he makes daily on our program!
