BY DANIEL SCHMIDT | THE OBSERVER
SPONSORED BY THE ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC
First Team
[{"id":"113479","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/23\/aisa-votes-to-disband-athletics-program\/","name":"aisa-votes-to-disband-athletics-program","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AISA-logo.png","alt":""},"title":"AISA votes to disband athletics program","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Sep 23, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-23 18:12:54","modifiedDate":"2026-09-23 13:13:05","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-23 18:13:05","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":42},"status":"publish","content":"By Daniel Schmidt MONTGOMERY \u2014 The Alabama Independent School Association on Wednesday announced that its board of directors voted to disband its interscholastic athletic program"},{"id":"113467","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/22\/lady-bulldogs-throttle-j-a-g-on-senior-night\/","name":"lady-bulldogs-throttle-j-a-g-on-senior-night","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/OpelikaFlag1.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Lady Bulldogs throttle J.A.G. on senior night","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Sep 22, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-22 22:49:40","modifiedDate":"2026-09-22 17:50:02","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-22 22:50:02","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":14},"status":"publish","content":"BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER OPELIKA \u2014 Opelika High School\u2019s flag football team raced out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter and never let"},{"id":"113471","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/22\/auburn-sweeps-opelika-on-senior-night-to-claim-top-seed\/","name":"auburn-sweeps-opelika-on-senior-night-to-claim-top-seed","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AuburnOpelikaMain.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Auburn sweeps Opelika on senior night to claim top seed","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Sep 22, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-22 22:46:59","modifiedDate":"2026-09-22 17:47:09","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-22 22:47:09","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" 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17:40:13","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-22 22:40:13","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":5,"sec":7},"status":"publish","content":"BY BRANDON HUGHESFOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN \u2014 Auburn survived Baylor by a point on a defensive stand at the goal line, then blew out an"},{"id":"113462","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/22\/patsy-boyd-parker-honored-for-lifetime-of-dedication\/","name":"patsy-boyd-parker-honored-for-lifetime-of-dedication","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/20260915_182213.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Patsy Boyd Parker honored for lifetime of dedication","author":{"name":"The Observer 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tag\">Politics<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":10,"sec":37},"status":"publish","content":"BY MICHELLE KEYPUBLISHER OPELIKA \u2014 A proposal to change the company operating Opelika\u2019s employee health clinic could save the city more than $300,000 a year"},{"id":"113455","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/22\/anchored-in-truth-when-confidence-gives-way-to-uncertainty\/","name":"anchored-in-truth-when-confidence-gives-way-to-uncertainty","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_3963-scaled.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Anchored in truth | When confidence gives way to uncertainty","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Sep 22, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-22 18:39:52","modifiedDate":"2026-09-22 13:40:01","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-22 18:40:01","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":35},"status":"publish","content":"OPINON \u2014 I still remember getting on an Air Force C-17 in Kyrgyzstan and stepping onto Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan for the first time. By"},{"id":"113453","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/22\/altar-call-the-fathers-love\/","name":"altar-call-the-fathers-love","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/ALBRITTON.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Altar Call | The Father's love","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Sep 22, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-22 18:39:10","modifiedDate":"2026-09-22 13:39:19","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-22 18:39:19","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/walt-albritton\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Walt Albritton<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/walt-albritton\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Walt Albritton<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":11},"status":"publish","content":"OPINION \u2014 The story of the prodigal son may be the greatest of all the stories Jesus told. 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[{"id":"113479","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/23\/aisa-votes-to-disband-athletics-program\/","name":"aisa-votes-to-disband-athletics-program","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AISA-logo.png","alt":""},"title":"AISA votes to disband athletics program","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Sep 23, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-23 18:12:54","modifiedDate":"2026-09-23 13:13:05","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-23 18:13:05","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":42},"status":"publish","content":"By Daniel Schmidt MONTGOMERY \u2014 The Alabama Independent School Association on Wednesday announced that its board of directors voted to disband its interscholastic athletic program"},{"id":"113467","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/22\/lady-bulldogs-throttle-j-a-g-on-senior-night\/","name":"lady-bulldogs-throttle-j-a-g-on-senior-night","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/OpelikaFlag1.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Lady Bulldogs throttle J.A.G. on senior night","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Sep 22, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-22 22:49:40","modifiedDate":"2026-09-22 17:50:02","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-22 22:50:02","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":14},"status":"publish","content":"BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER OPELIKA \u2014 Opelika High School\u2019s flag football team raced out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter and never let"},{"id":"113471","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/22\/auburn-sweeps-opelika-on-senior-night-to-claim-top-seed\/","name":"auburn-sweeps-opelika-on-senior-night-to-claim-top-seed","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AuburnOpelikaMain.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Auburn sweeps Opelika on senior night to claim top seed","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Sep 22, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-22 22:46:59","modifiedDate":"2026-09-22 17:47:09","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-22 22:47:09","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":32},"status":"publish","content":"BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER AUBURN \u2014 Auburn High School locked up the regular season Class 6A Area 4 title and area tournament\u2019s No. 1 seed"},{"id":"113466","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/22\/baugh-humbug-gators-bruiser-spoils-auburns-sec-opener\/","name":"baugh-humbug-gators-bruiser-spoils-auburns-sec-opener","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Auburn-v-Florida-9-19-2026-155-1-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Baugh humbug: Gators\u2019 bruiser spoils Auburn\u2019s SEC opener","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Sep 22, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-22 22:39:47","modifiedDate":"2026-09-22 17:40:13","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-22 22:40:13","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":5,"sec":7},"status":"publish","content":"BY BRANDON HUGHESFOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN \u2014 Auburn survived Baylor by a point on a defensive stand at the goal line, then blew out an"},{"id":"113462","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/22\/patsy-boyd-parker-honored-for-lifetime-of-dedication\/","name":"patsy-boyd-parker-honored-for-lifetime-of-dedication","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/20260915_182213.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Patsy Boyd Parker honored for lifetime of dedication","author":{"name":"The Observer 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href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":35},"status":"publish","content":"OPINON \u2014 I still remember getting on an Air Force C-17 in Kyrgyzstan and stepping onto Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan for the first time. By"},{"id":"113453","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/22\/altar-call-the-fathers-love\/","name":"altar-call-the-fathers-love","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/ALBRITTON.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Altar Call | The Father's love","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Sep 22, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-22 18:39:10","modifiedDate":"2026-09-22 13:39:19","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-22 18:39:19","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/walt-albritton\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Walt Albritton<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/walt-albritton\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Walt Albritton<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":11},"status":"publish","content":"OPINION \u2014 The story of the prodigal son may be the greatest of all the stories Jesus told. At first reading, it would seem the"},{"id":"113452","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/22\/kids-talk-about-god-what-can-creation-teach-us-about-god\/","name":"kids-talk-about-god-what-can-creation-teach-us-about-god","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-14-at-6.43.16\u202fPM.png","alt":""},"title":"Kids talk about God | What can creation teach us about God?","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Sep 22, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-22 18:37:45","modifiedDate":"2026-09-22 13:37:54","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-22 18:37:54","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":9},"status":"publish","content":"OPINION \u2014 \u201cCreation teaches us that God likes to color outside the lines,\u201d said Mia, 7. \u201cJust look at zebras and jellyfish!\u201dRomans 1:18-23 tells us"},{"id":"113445","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/22\/lee-county-sheriffs-office-announces-employee-awards\/","name":"lee-county-sheriffs-office-announces-employee-awards","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/808729384_2035986757051320_2913924337480336089_n.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Lee County Sheriff\u2019s Office announces employee awards","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Sep 22, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-22 18:15:39","modifiedDate":"2026-09-22 13:15:48","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-22 18:15:48","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":6,"sec":55},"status":"publish","content":"CONTRIBUTED BY LCSO LEE COUNTY \u2014The Lee County Sheriff\u2019s Office recently held an awards ceremony, recognizing seven LCSO employees and one employee of the Lee"},{"id":"113439","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/09\/22\/2nd-mission-alliance-honors-klinner-with-new-center\/","name":"2nd-mission-alliance-honors-klinner-with-new-center","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MajorAlexKlinnerLeadershipAndTrainingCenter.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"2nd Mission Alliance honors Klinner with new center","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Sep 22, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-22 18:12:53","modifiedDate":"2026-09-22 13:13:02","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-22 18:13:02","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":18},"status":"publish","content":"CONTRIBUTED BY 2ND MISSION ALLIANCE OPELIKA \u2014 2nd Mission Alliance, a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving veterans, first responders and their families, is building a new"}]
Second Team
THIRD TEAM
Honorable Mentions
Individual Awards
