Central, Carver to meet in televised exhibition

Staff report
Published: August 1, 2008

It won’t count in the record books, but Central-Phenix City and Carver-Columbus (Ga.) are playing for keeps when the schools’ football programs meet in a televised exhibition Aug. 21 at Garrett Stadium.

Phenix City Schools Superintendent Dr. Larry DiChiara said the game will be televised live on HSTV Southeast at 6 p.m. CDT and can be viewed on those who subscribe to Comcast or Charter cable. He said the game will be visible in 12 states.

“It will be a practice game, but played like normal with kickoffs and punts,” said DiChiara, who previously coached boys basketball at Loachapoka and worked as an administrator within the Lee County Schools system. “The teams will be playing to win.”

DiChiara said both teams figure to be highly-ranked in their respective polls going into the season. The Tigers, coached by former Auburn University defensive back Dell McGhee, won the Georgia High School Association Class AAA championship last season sporting a 15-0 record. Georgia’s classification system goes no higher than AAAA. The Red Devils were 6-5, losing at McGill-Toolen in the first round of the AHSAA Class 6A playoffs.

Former Central coach Wayne Trawick, who led the Red Devils to the state crown in 1993, will serve as the Devils’ honorary captain. Wallace Davis, a coaching fixture at Carver for years, will be the Tigers’ honorary captain.

DiChiara said a team of paratroopers from Fort Benning will deliver the game ball, touching down at midfield.