OPINION —
Opelika continues to showcase its talents across soccer, track and field, softball and baseball, with each team battling through highs and lows this past week.
Soccer
The Opelika varsity boys split their matches last week, celebrating a 2-1 victory over class 5A No. 7 Sylacauga but falling to Auburn 3-1.
Against Sylacauga, Alex Lopez tied the game with an assist from David Cruz, who later scored the winning goal, assisted by Josh Beltran.
Cruz continued to lead the Bulldogs in scoring, adding another goal during the 3-1 loss to Auburn at “Soccer for a Cure” night. Meanwhile, the Auburn girls dominated Opelika 10-0. The special event raised proceeds for East Alabama Health’s Spencer Cancer Center.
Softball
The Lady Bulldogs faced tough competition, suffering two consecutive losses to Auburn, ending their 10-game winning streak. In the first game, Opelika managed only three singles, but in the second, the bats came alive for five runs on 10 hits, including standout performances by Katelyn Soluta with three hits and J. Smith and J. Thompson contributing two hits each. Despite these excellent efforts, OHS lost.
Baseball
The Bulldogs triumphed in their first area series since joining 7A, defeating Smiths Station two out of three games. After losing the opener 1-3 behind a strong pitching performance from Davis Ford, Brody Jones led the Dogs in game two with an impressive pitching and batting display. The senior pitched a complete game, allowed one hit, no earned runs and struck out five Panthers while adding a triple, double and single with his bat and scoring two runs. Ty Hudson and Caleb Peoples added two hits each while Slade Clayton, Arnold and Ford singled.
In game three, the Dogs scored three unanswered runs to win the game 5-3. Junior Colt Miller earned the win in relief, pitching 2-2/3 innings without allowing a hit or a run and striking out three Panthers. Brody Jones pitched a scoreless seventh inning to earn the save.
Warner McDonald had a huge night at the plate with two hits, including the game winning RBI af-ter hitting a triple and scoring two runs. H. Hudson, B. Jones, S. Clayton, T. Hudson and Will Brannon added hits.
Opelika will play Glenwood Saturday at 11 a.m. at Bulldog Park, then will play Central in Phenix City on Wednesday, April 16, at 6 p.m. The Dogs will host the Red Devils in a doubleheader on Thursday, April 17, at 4:30 p.m.
Track and Field
Opelika’s varsity track and field teams excelled at the Prostate Invitational 2025 in Phenix City, with several athletes achieving top five finishes.
GIRLS
100 Meter Dash:
12.35 – Alieah Nelms, 1st
12.91 – Harper Threat, 4th
200 Meter Dash:
24.60 – Alieah Nelms, 1st
25.42 – Serenity Rufus, 3rd
26.19 – Ava Thomas, 5th
800 Meter Run:
2:19.66 – Caroline Couey, 1st
2:38.53 – Caylyn Moore, 3rd
100 Meter Hurdles:
19.65 – Taylore Phillips, 5th
High Jump:
4-10 – Calieya Dowdell, 3rd
4-8 – Claire Burke, 4th
Long Jump:
16-9.5 – Ava Thomas, 2nd
15-2 – Calieya Dowdell, 5th
Triple Jump:
34-7.5 – Calieya Dowdell, 2nd
Shot Put:
33-4.75 – Legend Fitzpatrick, 1st
BOYS
100 Meter Dash:
10.91 – Leland Bell, 2nd
10.98 – Jalen Thomas, 3rd
200 Meter Dash:
21.91 – Jalen Thomas, 2nd
400 Meter Dash:
53.82 – Kristopher Stoeckel, 4th
54.59 – Zortavis Johnson, 5th
1600 Meter Run:
4:54.44 – Drew Schoonhoven, 3rd
4:56.11 – Alexander Burgess, 4th
3200 Meter Run:
11:40.32 – Alexander Burgess, 2nd
110 Meter Hurdles:
15.57 – Richard Howard, 1st
300 Meter Hurdles:
49.26 – Braeden Dowdell, 3rd
High Jump:
6-0 – Kaleb Baker, 3rd
Long Jump:
19-4 – Braeden Dowdell, 2nd
Triple Jump:
42-8 – Braeden Dowdell, 1st
Discus:
139-5 – Michael Cosgriff, 3rd
Javelin:
141-6 – Darius Stephens, 1st
Shot Put:
44-6.25 – Ericson (Moni) Thomas, 3rd
My View
A significant change looms for Opelika City Schools, as Superintendent Dr. Farrell Seymore announced his resignation, effective in June. Seymore’s departure marks the third superintendent change in four years, presenting a pivotal moment for the OCS Board of Education. The board faces the critical task of hiring a new leader to steer Opelika schools forward. Dr Seymore was promoted to superintendent from OHS principal without a formal interview.
D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia and host of “On the Mark” on Fox Sports the Game 910-1319.
