BY D. MARK MITCHELL
OPINION —
SPRING ROUND-UP
The Opelika High girls and boys golf teams swept Central at Pines Crossing, located between Opelika and Auburn. The girls won 172-151 behind the following golfers:
- Karly Phatsadavong 46
- Paige Bales 51
- Kaylin Ward 54
- Allie Prescott 63
The boys won 199-180 behind these scores: - Evan Henderson 44
- Bennett Young 45
- Kyle Epperson 45
- Carter Neese 46
- Nolen Wilson 46
SOCCER
Opelika’s boys soccer team beat Russell County 6-0 last week. The following players scored goals for the Dogs: Rigo Ramirez, Nolen Wilson, Jake Campbell, Josh Beltran, David Cruz and Tristan Tatum.
Credit for assists goes to David Cruz (2), Freddie Vasquez (2), Angel Cruz and Josh Beltran.
Bryan McEntire earned the shutout playing keeper.
The girls soccer team beat Russell County 11-1 last week. OHS goals were scored by Karly Phatsadavong (5), Maelee Story (3), Scarlet Posadas (2) and Skylar Harris. Earning assists were Shayla Alcantara (5), Scarlet Posadas (2), Anna Webster, Maelee Story and Karly Phatsadavong.
BASEBALL
Opelika baseball went to Gulf Shores during spring break to play several teams from out of state. The Dogs are 11-6 overall after losing three in a row to very good teams. OHS won the first game at the beach earlier in the week, beating Tushka High from Oklahoma.
The Bulldogs are preparing for next week’s Area opener against Central, Wednesday April 3 at Bulldog Park with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m. at Bulldog Park on the OHS campus.
SOFTBALL
The OHS softball team beat Area foe Smiths Station 4-3 in nine innings at West Ridge Park.
Katelyn Foley earned the win in the circle, pitching nine innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out five. K.G. Soltau and Emily Birmingham led Opelika at the plate with two hits apiece, while Williams, Johnson, Harrelson, Foley and Harper added hits. Soltau also added two RBIs.
OHS travels to Eufaula on Wednesday, April 3, at 4:30 p.m. and will host BRHS on April 4 at 5 p.m.
OHS FOOTBALL
OHS Football coach Bryan Moore appeared on my radio show, “On the Mark” on FOX Sports the Game last week. The following is a summary of the conversation.
Moore is working every day. His oldest son, Parker, attends OMS while his wife and two younger sons finish the school year and wrap-up loose ends prior to moving to Opelika. Parker is playing on the tennis team while his two younger sons are playing baseball.
Moore completed his first full parent meeting and is in the process of going through two hours per week of practice for 10 weeks without pads. The Dogs have completed five two-hour practices. The new turf is being installed in Bulldog Stadium and the indoor facility. The upgrades will take six to seven weeks and should be completed by spring practice. If there is a problem, the Bulldogs may practice at Floral Park or Moore Stadium. The new Jumbotron is larger than the old one and comes in two pieces instead of 16 panels. New LED lights will be installed, including lights that will change color.
New turf in the indoor facility will allow crews to repair dents in the cement from dropping weights on the turf. Moore was very excited about the upgrades and spending time with players.
Moore will have completed eight weeks of working with the players prior to fall. This period has helped knock the “new” off his way and the kids will have time to adjust. Four players have Division 1 offers as they head into Spring practice in early May. Currently, there are 88 players working out who do not play other sports, not including 55 incoming ninth graders. These numbers are up compared to when Moore left nine years ago.
Moore emphasized the ninth grade and JV will each play seven games, with a total of seven games at Bulldog Stadium. Opelika Schools hired Kade McGee to be the OMS/OHS full time strength and conditioning coach. McGee comes to Opelika from ACA in Tuscaloosa and bring a wealth of knowledge in strength and conditioning to the Opelika program. This is an area where Moore felt was needed and pleased to have him on staff.
Opelika will end spring training with a game May 16 against Clay-Chalkville at Bulldog Stadium. The eighth and ninth grade teams will play LaGrange at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., followed by the JV against Clay-Chalkville at 6 p.m. and the varsity kicking off at 7 p.m.
DIXIE BOYS BASEBALL REGISTRATION OPEN FOR AGES 13-15
Opelika Dixie Boys Baseball League (DBB) is holding summer baseball registration for anyone ages 13 through 15 at the Opelika Sportsplex and online at www.opelikasportsplex.com. Cost is $45 for Opelika residents and $50 for non-residents. If you have questions, email League Director D. Mark Mitchell at foxonthemark@yahoo.com.
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.