OHS winter sports take center stage
BY D. MARK MITCHELL
OPINION —
Football season is officially over in Lee County and winter sports move into spotlight.
BOWLING
Opelika High Athletics Department added the sport of bowling for the 2023-24 school year. Both the girls and boys teams lost to Benjamin Russell last week. The girls lost 703-616 while the boys lost to 732 to 939.
The head bowling coach is Sam Tramutolo.
The boys bowling team consists of Jacob Wood, Zyon Henderson, Lawson Ledbetter, Jerome Martin Jr., Duviel Pinto, Tristan Tatum and Brayden Vasquez.
The girls bowling team is made up of Morgan Gay, Eve Gholston, Hayden Gilbert, Brooklyn Lagoy, Nina Mendoza, Sadie Pinto and Jane Stephens.
OHS BASKETBALL
Opelika varsity girls team (1-1) lost to Park Crossing 61-42 last week. Mya Pearson led the Lady Dogs with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Blake Smalley is head coach. Team members include Saniya Bulger, London Burnett, Mya Chillous, Jordyn Cobb, I’nayja Dowell, Zion Fears, Makayla Jones, Shirmetha Pearson, Tyra Pitts, Monica Whack, Naomi Whack and Kennedi Williams.
The varsity boys basketball team lost to Columbia 71-41 in their opener.
Wesley Button is head coach. The boys basketball team includes Antonio Fields, Jaxson Freeman, De’andre Harris, Justin Holloway, Kori Key, Jakii Lightfoot, Trindon Manior, Langston Martin, Brady Mcnally and Johnathon Mcnally.
FOOTBALL COACHING SEARCH
There has been no official word from Opelika City Schools about the search for a new head football coach, but Superintendent Dr. Farrell Seymore posted the position this past week on the Department of Education site.
The post reads: “Head Football Coach and 9-month teacher.” It specifies that qualifications include bachelor’s degree from accredited educational institution, valid teaching certificate, etc. “Coordinator experience required, successful head football coaching experience preferred,” the post specifies. The job description is very detailed and is too long to list. Salary for 9-month teacher is $45,000 to $91,000 with 187-day contract. There was no football supplement given.
Based on the way the description is worded, it is obvious Dr.Seymore is seeking a proven head football coach. Yes, the description mentions candidates must have coordinator experience, but head coaching experience is preferred. There are many coordinators qualified to be a head coach, but Opelika plays in 7A, the top class in the AHSAA. It is hard to learn how to be a head coach while coaching a 7A football team. It is obvious Dr. Seymore is thinking a proven coach is the goal but is leaving his options open.
I am confident a successful coach will be hired.
Stay tuned to “On the Mark” in The Observer and airing on FOX Sports the Game 910-1310 AM, weekdays from 6 to 9 a.m. You can listen online at foxsportsthegame.com or on the iHeartRadio app on your smart phone.
LEE-SCOTT
Congratulations to Lee-Scott Academy’s football team for winning its second straight AISA 3A State Championship. LSA head coach Buster Daniel, a long-time assistant at Opelika, led the Warriors to a 24-14 win over rival Glenwood last Thursday at the Cramton Bowl.
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PLAYOFF ROUND-UP
Auburn
The Central Red Devils ended Auburn high school’s season with a 49-21 dominating win at Wayne Trawick Field in Phenix City.
CHS Daylyn Upshaw caught 9 passes for 139-yards and 2-TD’s and Cam Coleman caught 10-passes for 208 yards. Auburn’s highlights were from kicker Towns McGough. The senior made a 56-yard FG and a 50-yard FG to add to his state record 11-field goals over 50-yards.
Central will host Mary G Montgomery next Friday in Phenix City.
Loachapoka
Loachapoka dream season ended in Brantley with a 14-12 loss tro the Bulldogs. Coach Reco Newton’s Indians missed a 2-point conversion that what have forced overtime. LHS season ends with a 10-1 record.
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.