All good things must come to an end, and that was the case when Merced (Calif.) handed top-ranked Central-Phenix City flag football its first loss in nearly four years.
The Red Devils' 20-12 loss to the Bears on Friday, Sept. 11, ended their 62-game winning streak that dates back to November 2022 when they lost to Auburn High School in the state quarterfinals during their first official season.
"If we lose a game or two or three or whatever, the goal is to be challenged in the regular season," head coach Mitchell Holt told USA TODAY Sports ahead of the season. "So, then we get to the postseason, we know what we're made of."
After years of winning, Central finally had the chance to face off against some out-of-state competition. They were just one of just 18 teams selected to play in the inaugural MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown in San Diego from Sept. 11-12 alongside No. 2 JSerra Catholic, No. 3 Newport Harbor, No. 5 Orange Lutheran, No. 15 Sierra Canyon and No. 19 Huntington Beach.
More: National high school flag football rankings: USA TODAY Sports Super 25, Week 3
#high
The Red Devils' 20-12 loss to the Bears on Friday, Sept. 11, ended their 62-game winning streak that dates back to November 2022 when they lost to Auburn High School in the state quarterfinals during their first official season.
"If we lose a game or two or three or whatever, the goal is to be challenged in the regular season," head coach Mitchell Holt told USA TODAY Sports ahead of the season. "So, then we get to the postseason, we know what we're made of."
After years of winning, Central finally had the chance to face off against some out-of-state competition. They were just one of just 18 teams selected to play in the inaugural MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown in San Diego from Sept. 11-12 alongside No. 2 JSerra Catholic, No. 3 Newport Harbor, No. 5 Orange Lutheran, No. 15 Sierra Canyon and No. 19 Huntington Beach.
More: National high school flag football rankings: USA TODAY Sports Super 25, Week 3
#high
2 months ago
