BY D. MARK MITCHELL
OPINION — The 99th football game beween Opelika (2-1, R 0-1) and Auburn (3-0, R 1-0) was played last Friday in Auburn’s Duck Samford Stadium in front of a sellout crowd, estimated at 7000. The Tigers beat the Bulldogs in a back and forth game, 28-21 after scoring the game winning TD with 5:45 left in the fourth quarter.
The two class 7A powers gave the fans all they wanted, a close hard fought game with few penalities and mistakes, although each team had one turnover.
Bulldog senior wide receiver Brody Jones caught a 10-yard pass from QB Colby Key in the back of the endzone for a touchdown, giving the Dogs a 21-14 lead in the fourth quater. The Tigers scored 14-points with less than 6-minutes in the game and intercepted a pass at their own 20 yard line to seal the 28-21 win.
The Dogs used a solid running game behind Calvin Hughley and crisp passing from QB Colby Key to score 21-points, but AHS countered with offensive fire power from RB Omar Mabson and QB Jackson Kilgore to score 28 points.
Hughly piled up 187 yards of offense, 159 rushing yards and scored 2-TD’S, Reese Beasley made all 3 PAT’s.
The Bulldogs had the ball at the Tigers 30 yard line with less than 2-minutes left in the game, down 28-21. Key’s pass was batted in the air at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by a Tiger defensive player to seal the win.
A tough loss for Opelika and coach Bryan Moore.
Unfortunately, I have seen some bad behavior during a few Auburn/Opelika football games years ago, that was NOT the case last Friday night! I had the pleasure of watching last Friday’s game between Opelika and Auburn from the sidelines, as a member of the media. As an Opelika graduate that lives, works and worships here, I was extremely proud of both teams. Auburn’s coach Keith Etheredge and Opelika’s coach Bryan Moore displayed a tremendous amount of class and respect last Friday night. Many eyes were on the two programs , the game was one of the marquee match-ups in the AHSAA. The student-athletes and coaches from both schools schould be commended for how they played and acted, neither team took cheap shots, taunted each other or displayed any unruly acts during the game. This is a reflection on the student’s parent, the two head coaches, assistant coaches and schools administration.
One thing is for sure, Opelika can compete in class 7A, as the football team showed last Friday night. I know Coach Moore was not happy with the loss, I do not expect him to be happy after a loss, but his football team is very close to learning how to “finish and win” the big game. Opelika Superintendent Farrell Seymore hired the right football coach. Bryan Moore will continue to build the Opelika program and compete in every game, no matter the opponent.
Opelika host J.A.G. High School (0-2, R 0-1) Friday at Bulldog Stadium in their second region game. The Jaguars (Formerly Jeff Davis High School) are 0-2 after losses to Hewitt-Trussville (50-6) and last week Carver (46-0).
The Dogs should have an easy time beating the Jaguars if they continue to improve. This is the type of game where Opelika should dominate, scoring many points early while shutting down there offense. Moore should get a chance to substitute early and often. we are a better football team.
Fans can buy tickets at the ticket office outside Bulldog Stadium or online at gofan.co. You can listen to the Opelika vs JAG football game on WKKR 97.7 Kicker FM, online at kickerfm.com or on the free iheartradio app on your smartphone.
Auburn JV team beat Opelika’s JV team 20-0 at Bulldog Stadium Monday night, no details were available as of press time. Opelika’s ninth grade plays at Tallassee High School Monday at 5 p.m. The JV travels to Smiths Station Monday at 6:30 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
OHS JV Volleyball team plays SSHS Tuesday at 4:30 followed by the varsity volleyball teams. The OHS Flag football team plays at Vestavia Hills Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 6:30 p.m., followed by a game with Mountain Brook at 7 p.m. The JV Flag football team plays AHS Wednesday 5:30 p.m. at Duck Samford Stadium.
OHS volleyball team is 6-4, and will travel to Enterprise Saturday to play in the Enterprise Invitational.
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.
