VALLEY — Valley’s freshman football team was in position to come away the matchup against Central-Phenix City with a win until the last play of the game on Monday night. Central-Phenix scored with no time left on the clock after an interference call in the end zone. The Red Devils then went for two points and won the game, 16-14.

“It was a heartbreaking loss, no doubt,” Valley ninth-grade football head football coach Thomas Hill said. “They might have been the better team, but not tonight. I loved how hard we played for the game. It says a lot about them.”

The Rams led for the entire night before the last offensive play from Central and extended the lead to 14-8 midway through the second quarter. Valley was on the verge of putting the nail in the coffin with three minutes remaining when Hunter Burdette grabbed a pick-six that was called back by a penalty.

John White led the passing attack in the game for the Rams, going 5-for-7 for 100 yards through the air. TyKale Forman had 17 carries for 117 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion run in the effort. Kalen Sherrell had three catches for 73 yards and M.J. Atkinson caught a 25-yard pass for a touchdown.

On the defensive side, Cross Colley had nine tackles, John White had three tackles and an interception, Dylan Earl and Derrionte Ross also contributed three tackles in the game.

Central was coming off a 40-30 win over Opelika and is undefeated on the year.

On Monday night, the Rams outgained the Red Devils 242 to 112 yards and won the turnover battle two to none.

“If we give that effort for the rest of the season, we’ll be extremely difficult to beat. I’m very proud of my boys,” Hill said. “They have absolutely nothing to hold their heads down about.”

The freshman Rams have Opelika and Beauregard remaining on this season’s schedule. Valley faces Beauregard next week.