Defending Class 6A champion and No. 1 ranked Oxford rallied from a 21-3 deficit Friday night to down Class 7A No. 7 Central-Phenix City 32-31 in a classic non-region matchup.
After Joseph McKay scored to give the Red Devils a 31-24 lead in the first overtime, Oxford QB Trey Higgins hit Camden Etheredge with a touchdown pass on third-and-20 to bring the Yellow Jackets to within 31-30.
Oxford coach Keith Etheredge decided to go for 2 and Higgins hit Warren Britt for the winning points.
The Yellow Jackets (9-1) have won nine straight since opening the season with a loss to Class 7A No. 1 Thompson. Oxford will host Minor in the first round of the playoffs next week. Central (6-4) will host Fairhope in the first round of the 7A playoffs.
Higgins, Oxford’s senior quarterback, had another brilliant game. He completed 12-of-23 passes for 200 yards and 4 TDs and rushed for 55 yards on 19 carries.
Camden Etheredge caught four passes for 60 yards, including a pair of TDs. Tennessee commit Roc Taylor caught four passes for 65 yards and a score. Britt also had a TD reception. Eight different Jackets caught at least one pass.
Noah Pell’s 24-yard field goal with 23.5 seconds left for Central sent the game into overtime.
The Red Devils took a 21-3 first-half lead on TJ Parker’s 15-yard fumble return for a touchdown and a pair of Trey Miles TD passes.