OPINION —
The Opelika High School varsity football team opens the 2023 season Thursday night against Thompson in the AHSAA annual “Kickoff Classic” in Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl.
Thompson, winner of the last four 7A State Football Championships, is coached by Mark Freeman, who is beginning his ninth season with the Warriors. He has compiled an 83-18 record, 21-3 in the playoffs and has won the last four 7A State football championships. In 25-years of coaching, Freeman has won 255 games while losing 47 games, and won 10 State championships.
Erik Speakman begins his sixth season as head coach of the Opelika Bulldogs. He has compiled a 41-19 overall record, going 27-5 in the region and 9-4 in the playoffs. The Bulldogs are coming off a 5-5 season where they did not make the playoffs.
I think OHS playing Thompson in the Kickoff Classic is a “win-win” for the Bulldogs. This is one of the marquee games across the state of Alabama because Thompson draws national attention each time it plays. This is a good game for the Opelika football team, the student-athletes, fans and the for the program. Opelika is in its second season playing in class 7A. Speakman pointed out a few things his team must overcome moving forward during “High School Media Days” in July. He referenced the physicality that poses a threat to his team playing 7A teams each week, and how his team did not respond late in the fourth quarter on multiple occasions last season. This is another game that will prepare the Bulldogs for playing a schedule made up of mostly 7A, and few 6A teams.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. at Cramton Bowl. The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) announced this week that it will delay the start time for kickoff off due to the current heat wave. All member schools have the same option this week, according to the AHSAA, and additional heat timeouts are being added at the midway point of each quarter. Timeouts between quarters will be extended as well, and other timeouts may be allowed as needed at the discretion of the officiating crews. Fans can purchase tickets online at gofan.co or pay cash at the Cramton Bowl ticket office. You can listen to the Opelika Radio crew on WKKR 97.7 Kicker FM, or on the free iHeartRadio app on your smart phone.
Opelika will return to Cramton Bowl next Thursday, (Aug. 31) to play region foe, J.A.G. High School, formally Jeff Davis. The Jaguars are purple and gold and coached by Rory Bell, in his fourth season. Bell has won eight games while losing 22 with no playoff appearances.
The Dogs’ first hame game will be Sept. 8 against Percy Julian High School, formally Robert E. Lee.
TIDBITS
Opelika High is holding a “Cheer Kiddie Camp” at Bulldog Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 26, from 9 a.m. to noon. The camp is for ages 4 through 12 and cost $40 per camper.
OHS students interested in being on the OHS Bowling team should attend the bowling meeting Aug. 28 in Bulldog Cafe at 6 p.m.
Tirra Davis was named new girls’ track coach and teaches geometry at OHS.
The Opelika High School flag football team will host Valley, Wednesday, Aug. 30, at Bulldog Stadium. Kickoff set for 4 p.m.
Special thanks to Kemp and Son’s Printing owner Brian Bass. The OHS graduate donated the new door-window covers displaying the Opelika logo. These cover the front doors of the indoor facility. This helps OHS look better to the public because it is one of the first things you see entering campus. OCS has other signs at athletic venues that are outdated, faded or not legible. Hopefully the baseball and softball sign will be updated soon.
D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1319, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.