by D. Mark Mitchell
AHSAA
The AHSAA is currently hosting All-Star Week and the annual high school coaches’ conference this week in Montgomery. For purposes of All-Star Week the state is divided into north and south.
The AHSAA member schools vote on players throughout the state. Each team sport is represented and all-stars from each sport will play each other.
The week culminates with a banquet Friday night.
OPELIKA
FOOTBALL
The Bulldog football team started workouts last week after being off for a week. Coach Blackmon and staff took 25 players to Hoover last week to participate in the National 7 on 7 Tournament. The Dawgs won three games while losing two.
OHS will participate in team camp at Foley next week. “Team camp” is allowed in the summer as long as the entire team participates. Coaches can practice in groups, such as linemen, backs, linebackers, etc.
Coach Blackmon will give his players off the last week of July before starting fall practice in August.
Opelika opens August 19 against Carver High of Columbus. The Dawgs travel to Duck Samford Stadium to play rival Auburn High School on August 26.
SEASON
TICKETS
Opelika football season tickets can be purchased in the coming weeks. Current season ticket holders can purchase tickets August 1-5 from 3:45-6 p.m. in the lobby at the Opelika Performing Arts Center (OPAC).
Current season tickets can be swapped Monday, August 8, from 3:45-5:30 p.m.
New season tickets will be sold Tuesday, August 9, from 3:45-5:30 p.m.
A season ticket book costs $35. OHS will play five regular season home games.
BASEBALL
New OHS baseball coach, Nick Richardson, worked his team out for the first time last Monday. Richardson is currently preparing to move his family to Opelika.
The baseball team has been without a permanent head coach since July 2015.
SPONSORSHIP
The deadline is approaching for new corporate sponsors. If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor, email me at foxonthemark@yahoo.com
DIXIE
BASEBALL
Congratulations to the Opelika Dixie Youth Minor All-Stars. The 9-10 year-olds are competing in the state tournament in Enterprise. The tournament was still in progress at print time. Opelika won their first two games in the double elimination tournament.
Congratulations also to the Opelika Dixie Boys All-Stars. The 13-14 year-olds competed in the state tournament in Dothan where they lost their first two games.
D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.