Central rallies past Carver-Columbus in jamboree

PHENIX CITY — Central head coach Ron Nelson walked away pleased.

Not only did his Red Devils pick up a big preseason victory over Carver-Columbus, 27-14, on live television, he saw some big positives in a new spread offense as his team prepares to open the season next Friday.

After falling behind, 14-0, to Georgia’s defending AAA state champion and preseason No. 1, Central rallied off 27 unanswered points in the second half to get the jamboree win.

And the big second-half numbers came without the services of the Red Devils’ top back.

“The biggest thing was we got out here and played against someone else besides ourselves,” Nelson said. “We’re trying to get in game shape — that’s the hardest thing to prepare for.”

Friday’s game was broadcast live on CSS around the Southeast.However, those CSS viewers in the Atlanta Braves broadcast market, including East Alabama, will have to wait until today at noon to see the replay of the contest.

Central’s top-returning tailback, Orwin Smith, was a workhorse for the Red Devils in the first half, but sat out the entire second. He finished with 10 carries for 19 yards and also caught six passes for 26 yards.

The Red Devils had a scary moment early on as top returning defensive end Marlin Sims went down with an injury on the second play of the second quarter.

He spent the remainder of the game on crutches with his right ankle taped.

Carver took a 14-0 lead with 8:51 to play in the third before Central got on the board with a 3-yard score from Deon Hill.

Central tied things up in the fourth on an 8-yard run from Hill, and took the lead when a bad Carver punt snap deep in its own territory was recovered at the 2 by B.J. Sanders and returned for a touchdown.

Cordary Clark added a 1-yard touchdown with 3:05 to play.

Central opens its regular season next Friday at home against Shaw (Ga.).

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