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Central Hayneville High School’s football team kept its postseason hopes alive with a 40-0 shutout of Class 1A, Region 4 foe Notasulga on Friday night.

Running back Benjamin White Jr. led the way with 14 carries for 211 yards and three rushing touchdowns. He added a passing touchdown to Ja’carie Shuford and six tackles on defense. “This is our first (region) win,” said Lions head coach Corvin Johnson. “We’re still in playoff contention … It’s going to come down to our last game of the season, which will be against Autaugaville.”

Central also received a strong game from Roderick Scott, who gained 107 yards on six carries, including a 64-yard touchdown run. The Lions succeeded on five two-point conversions.

Defensively, Demarcus McCord finished with four tackles and two sacks.

Johnson said a Verbena win over Autaugaville would create a scenario where a Lions win over Autaugaville in the season finale would clinch the fourth seed in the region.

But first, the Lions must face off against county rival, The Calhoun School, on Friday night at 7.

“This is my first classic,” Johnson said. “This is not only my first year here at Central, but in Lowndes County. (There is) most definitely a lot of hype built up around this game. They’ve been talking about it for weeks. This game was one of the selling points for when I got this job because of the type of atmosphere, the bragging rights, and the tension between the two schools. I was eager to be a part of it.”

Johnson said his players can’t lose sight of the prize against a Tigers team that, despite being on a six-game losing streak, shouldn’t be underestimated.

“I had a very in-depth conversation with them yesterday because I saw their attention shift a little bit,” Johnson said. “I immediately stopped and gathered everyone up. I had to get them back mentally-focused because they’ve had a lot of success against Calhoun since – the guys I have now, even going back to middle school. I don’t think they’ve lost to them, and I didn’t want (our players) to take them for granted. We need this game to continue our playoff hunt …

“I had to reassure them that I know what Calhoun’s coaches over there are telling them. This is the highlight of their season. Regardless of what they’ve been through, if they can beat Central, this is their Super Bowl … I know the type of atmosphere Coach (Ervin) Starr has at Calhoun, and I didn’t want my guys to take them for granted if we let them come in here and upset us.