FLAG COACH OF THE YEAR: Central’s Mitchell Holt guides Red Devils to national championship

After winning state in 2023, what was there left to do? Plenty, as it turns out.

There was getting highlights played by ESPN on SEC Nation and NFL Live.

There was a surge up the sports national rankings.

Then there was going back-to-back for the first time by any sports program in school history.

The Central-Phenix City flag football team did it all in 2024, led at the helm by head coach Mitchell Holt, on the way to perfect 19-0 season and second consecutive state championship.

Earlier this month, Central closed the USA Today Sports Super 25 national rankings No.

1 in the country, landing the Red Devils claim to a national championship this season.

For helping guide the Central girls to national recognition, Holt has been named Coach of the Year as part of the O-A News All-Area Team for girls flag football.

Its not lost on you when you do something for the first time at a school like Central its a big deal, Holt said.

And Im just fortunate to be a part of it.

Central was led on the field by stars like quarterback Gerritt Griggs, who fired for 82 touchdowns with only three interceptions, her favorite target Natalyn Lumpkin who caught 33 touchdowns, plus lock-down defender Colby Cook who had 13 interceptions on the season, and do-it-all Mariah Harrison who had 22 receiving touchdowns and 15 rushing touchdowns.

The Red Devils raced down fields all season running sophisticated plays and lighting up the scoreboard with accurate passes, smooth downfield laterals and electrifying speed.

Some of those plays were featured on national television by ESPN this fall.

And the man behind the playmakers was Holt, who said it all went back to offseason, when he knew teams had Central circled after the 2023 state championship, so he challenged his players to raise their own preparation to match all the teams out there preparing for the Red Devils.

Youve got to take what you did last year and youve got to know other good teams and coaches are going to find answers for what you did and youve got to find an answer for their answer, Holt explained.

Central stuck with that, and kept getting better all the way up to the 33-12 win over Auburn High in the semifinals then the 55-7 win over Spain Park in the AHSAAs Class 6A-7A state championship game at the Super 7 in Birmingham.

Holt said even at the teams practice at Vestavia Hills just before the state title game, the Red Devils players were still working to improve and craving new ways to get better.

When we were able to be fortunate enough to be ranked No.

1, we just talked to them about not necessarily trying to do more, but just being more prepared, and watching film, and winning some of those battles before you ever walked out on the field, Holt said.

They did a good job of embracing that and not being content with where they were and just always pushing to get better.

He said that was a testament to their character and the part of this season that hes most proud of.

Hes also proud, certainly, of making history at Central-Phenix City and bringing a national championship to the halls of the school.

It was surreal, Holt said.

Honestly, talking to some of the girls and talking to people around the program, there were a lot of emotions when that came out.

Because you cant go play those teams in Arizona and things like that.

I know were 7A and stuff, but Phenix Citys still a small town compared to some of those California teams that were a couple miles from Disneyland and different things like that.

For Phenix City to be recognized on that level is pretty special.

Central captains Gerritt Griggs (2), Natalyn Lumpkin (4), and Allyson Supan (5) walk to midfield for the coin toss before the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

Central's Allyson Supan (5) dives at Spain Park's Chenelle Hunter (14) in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

Spain Park's Jenna Kate Hutchison (12) throws in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Colby Cook (11) celebrates after a touchdown catch in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Gerritt Griggs (2) carries for an extra-point conversion in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Gerritt Griggs (2) grabs the flag of Spain Park's Rory Payton (15) for a tackle in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

Central's Colby Cook (11) carries after a catch in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Centrals Allyson Supan (5) catches a pass for a touchdown in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Colby Cook (11) pulls the flags from Spain Park's Rory Payton (15) for a tackle in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Spain Park's Chenelle Hunter (14) catches a pass in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Spain Park's Amber Mangina (3) carries after a catch for a touchdown in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

Spain Park's Amber Mangina (3) celebrates with JaSkylar Simpkins (2) after a touchdown in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Gerritt Griggs (2) throws in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Spain Park's Amber Mangina (3) pulls the flag from Central's Summer Gilley (1) after an interception in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Mariah Harrison (14) carries in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Savannah Sevier (12) catches a pass in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Centrals Mariah Harrison (14) carries for a touchdown in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Mariah Harrison (14) throws for a touchdown in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

Central's Natalyn Lumpkin (4) catches a pass for a touchdown in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Natalyn Lumpkin (4) celebrates with Mariah Harrison (14) after a touchdown in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Natalyn Lumpkin (4) defends a pass intended for Spain Park's Amber Mangina (3) in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Natalyn Lumpkin (4) catches a pass for a touchdown in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central head coach Mitchell Holt reacts to a call in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Spain Park's Amber Mangina (3) catches a pass in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Centrals Gerritt Griggs (2) throws in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Khloe Broadwater (27) carries in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Allyson Supan (5) holds Horns Up after a touchdown in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

Central's Allyson Supan (5) grabs the flags of Spain Park's Rory Payton (15) for a tackle in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

Spain Park's Chenelle Hunter (14) catches a pass in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

Central's Danajia Thomas (10) pulls the flags from Spain Park's Jenna Kate Hutchison (12) for a sack in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Colby Cook (11) intercepts a pass in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

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Central's Colby Cook (11) returns an interception in the second half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

The Central-Phenix City Red Devils celebrate after their 55-7 win over Spain Park in the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

ABOVE: Centrals Allyson Supan (5) celebrates with the Blue Map championship trophy on the field after the Red Devils 55-7 win over Spain Park.

LEFT: The Central-Phenix City Red Devils celebrate after their 55-7 win over Spain Park.

The Central-Phenix City Red Devils celebrate after their 55-7 win over Spain Park in the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday.

The Central-Phenix City Red Devils celebrate after their 55-7 win over Spain Park in the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

ABOVE: Central head coach Mitchell Holt presents the Blue Map championship trophy to his team after the Red Devils 55-7 win over Spain Park in the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

The Central-Phenix City Red Devils celebrate with the Blue Map championship trophy after their 55-7 win over Spain Park in the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

The Central-Phenix City Red Devils gather for a team photo after defeating Spain Park 55-7 in the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

The Central-Phenix City Red Devils celebrate with the Blue Map championship trophy after their 55-7 win over Spain Park in the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday.

Centrals Allyson Supan (5) raises the Blue Map championship trophy after the Red Devils 55-7 win over Spain Park in the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

LEFT: Centrals Mariah Harrison (14) carries for a touchdown in the first half of the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship between Central and Spain Park.

RIGHT: Centrals Colby Cook (11) and Gerritt Griggs (2) shower head coach Mitchell Holt with a celebratory ice bath.

Centrals Allyson Supan (5) celebrates with the Blue Map championship trophy on the field after the Red Devils 55-7 win over Spain Park in the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

Central's Kalea Lovejoy (25) and Janiyah Garrett (3) show off their CHAMPS caps after the Red Devils 55-7 win over Spain Park in the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

Central's Danajia Thomas (10) and Kamouri Johnson (8) celebrate with a quick dance after the Red Devils 55-7 win over Spain Park in the AHSAA 6A-7A Flag Football Championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, Dec.

4, 2024.

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