The Extra Point: Chasing Greatness
Recapping the Journey to Greatness.
September 1, 2025
Falcon Nation,
We are excited to introduce The Extra Point: Chasing Greatness, our new weekly football newsletter. Each week, this recap will highlight our players, share key moments from the game, and celebrate the relentless effort our team is putting in on and off the field.
Our goal is simple—keep you connected to the journey as we continue to chase greatness together. Every practice, every snap, and every extra point matters, and your support fuels our players to give their best.
Thank you for standing behind our program and for bringing the energy each week. Let’s continue to soar high, stay united, and make this season one to remember.
With gratitude,
Coach Pippen
Falcons Wear Down Eagles, Fly Home Victorious!
Week 1 had all the makings of a grind-it-out slugfest, and that’s exactly what Central and Calera delivered. For two quarters, it was a defensive stalemate — neither side giving much ground, both trading turnovers and missed chances. But once Central found its spark after halftime, the Falcons hit another gear and walked away with a 27–7 win on the road.
The first half belonged to the defenses. Calera came up with two huge red-zone stops to keep Central off the board. Kamren Jackson recovered a fumble in the end zone on one drive, and John Tatum and Joshua Littleton stripped the ball away on another. Still, the Eagles couldn’t cash in. A missed field goal and a stalled drive before the break left things locked at 0–0. That changed quickly in the second half. Anthony Dixon Jr. finally broke through midway through the third quarter with a 21-yard touchdown run to put Central on the board. Early in the fourth, quarterback Armani White powered in from three yards out to make it 13–0.
Calera didn’t fold, though. Jordan Ward led a gutsy drive and finished it himself with a 3-yard keeper to cut the lead to 13–7 with just under nine minutes left. Suddenly, the Eagles had life.
But Dixon wasn’t finished. On the very next drive, he exploded for a 71-yard touchdown sprint that quieted the stadium and put the game firmly back in Central’s hands. A late interception set up another short score, and that was that — Falcons 27, Eagles 7.
Dixon was the difference-maker all night. He finished with 164 yards and two touchdowns on just 18 carries, averaging more than nine yards a pop. White added his own rushing TD, and Central’s defense played bend-but-don’t-break football, tightening up when it mattered. For Calera, Ward did everything he could, throwing for 188 yards, rushing for 66, and scoring the Eagles’ lone touchdown. Running back Jordan Henderson also battled his way to 81 yards on the ground, but those first-half misses and late turnovers were too much to overcome.
Central moves to 2–0 on the season, proving again that their mix of power running and timely defense travels anywhere. Calera falls to 0–2, but showed plenty of fight — now they just have to turn that effort into results.
The rivalry between Central High School and Paul W. Bryant High School is one of the defining storylines in Tuscaloosa City Schools athletics. Central was established in 1979 through the merger of Tuscaloosa High and Druid High as part of the city’s desegregation efforts. For more than two decades, Central stood as the lone city high school, carrying on the traditions of both programs. That changed in 2003, when the desegregation order was lifted and Paul W. Bryant High opened alongside Northridge High, setting the stage for a new chapter in Tuscaloosa football.
With Bryant’s opening, a fresh intra-city rivalry was born. Central, long the dominant football name in the city, suddenly had a new challenger across town. The Stampede quickly built its own identity and competitive spirit, fueling an annual matchup that has grown into one of the city’s most anticipated events.
The rivalry’s history is already marked by memorable moments. In 2021, Bryant stunned Central with a 31–7 upset — its first win in the budding series and a statement victory that put the rivalry on the map. The following year, the game carried even more weight as both sides embraced the passion of city-school bragging rights. Central responded in 2023 with a gritty 42–27 road win that highlighted how competitive the series had become. Most recently, in 2024, the Falcons delivered a dominant 54–13 performance, reminding fans of the program’s tradition of physical football.
Over two decades, the Central-Bryant rivalry has grown from a new tradition into a centerpiece of Tuscaloosa’s high school football calendar. As the Falcons and Stampede prepare to meet again on September 5, the game carries not just the weight of the current season, but also the history and pride of a city that rallies around its teams.
Rivalry Renewed: Falcons and Stampede Collide in Week 2!
Falcons Finding Their Stride.Central has opened the season in style, stacking back-to-back wins to cement itself as an early contender. After taking down Tuscaloosa County in Week 0, the Falcons carried that momentum into a 27–7 road win at Calera. Running back Anthony Dixon stole the spotlight, rushing for 164 yards and two touchdowns, including a 62-yard burst that left defenders in the dust. Quarterback Armani White added a rushing score, while the Falcon defense kept Calera off balance with timely takeaways and relentless pressure. At 2–0, Central now turns its focus to one of the year’s most anticipated showdowns—the rivalry against Paul W. Bryant.
Stampede Searching for Answers. It has been a tough start for the Stampede. Bryant opened the season with a 23–2 loss to Percy Julian, struggling to find offensive consistency. Quarterback Tony Felton Jr. managed just 60 yards through the air, while Brandon Johnson Jr. provided the bulk of the offense on the ground with 81 rushing yards. The struggles continued in Week 1 with a 27–3 loss to Minor, extending Bryant’s skid to 0–2. Despite flashes of toughness on defense, the Stampede have yet to find the rhythm they’ll need to compete in their region and now face an uphill challenge heading into rivalry week.
A Tale of Two Offenses.Friday’s game promises a battle of contrasting identities. Central thrives on balance—feeding Dixon to control the clock, sustaining long drives, and allowing White to pick his moments in the passing game. Their formula is simple: win in the trenches, stay patient, and capitalize on mistakes. Bryant, on the other hand, is still searching for its offensive identity. Johnson has shown he can break off chunk runs, but without more production from the passing game, the Stampede risk becoming too predictable.
Keys to the Rivalry Clash. For Central, the path is clear: keep Dixon rolling, dominate up front, and force Bryant into obvious passing situations where their defense can attack. For Bryant, the game plan begins with avoiding another slow start. Establishing Johnson early, protecting the football, and creating balance through the air are non-negotiables if they hope to hang with the Falcons.
What’s at Stake. This isn’t just another matchup—it’s a rivalry built on pride, emotion, and bragging rights. Central enters unbeaten and looking to reinforce its reputation as a team built to contend deep into the season. Bryant comes in hungry for a reset, hoping a statement win can flip their season’s trajectory. Under the Friday night lights, fans can expect a heated clash where momentum and morale are very much on the line.
On Friday, August 29th, we celebrated our Safeties Coach & Head JV Coach, Odis Waller, Jr.'s birthday!
A proud Central alum, devoted husband and father of six, and mentor to countless young athletes, Coach O is entering his 5th season with the Falcons. With over 16 years of coaching experience, he has built championship programs, developed standout defenders, and continues to inspire his players with lessons in discipline, character, and perseverance.
Known throughout the community as a dedicated leader and role model, Coach O’s passion for the game and love for his players shine through in everything he does. We are grateful to celebrate him and we look forward to another great season under his leadership!
