BY D MARK MITCHELL
OPINION —
Last Thursday night, Auburn High School (2-1, R 1-0) edged out Opelika High (2-1, R 0-1) 17-10 in a thrilling centennial clash that marked the 100th meeting between the two storied rivals. The game, played in Opelika, was packed with intensity, emotion and standout performances from both teams, but the game ended in Auburn’s favor.
Auburn struck first with a clever trick play. Quarterback Cason Myers lined up as a receiver and caught a touchdown pass from Josh Askew, giving the Tigers an early lead. Opelika’s defense tightened up, with Xavier Thomas blocking two Auburn field goal attempts.
Just before halftime, Auburn’s Joseph Daniel nailed a 24-yard field goal, sending the Tigers into the locker room with a 10-0 lead.
The third quarter scoring was quiet except for kicker Reese Beasley made a 23-yard field goal with 10:21 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Dawgs came right back and early in the fourth quarter, CJ Johnson broke loose for a dazzling 63-yard touchdown run, weaving through defenders to tie the game at 10.
Auburn QB Myers returned to his quarterback role and connected with Cash Reif for a 16-yard touchdown pass, reclaiming the lead for Auburn, 17-10 with 5:17 left in the game.
OHS came right back and used a dose of the run game to move the football deep into Auburn territory late in the game before fumbling the ball which was recovered by AHS.
The win extended Auburn’s streak in the rivalry to six straight victories and pushed their all-time series lead to 50-47-3.
AHS – 7 3 0 7 – 17
OHS – 0 0 3 7 – 10
First quarter
AHS: Cason Myers 12 pass from Josh Askew (Joseph Daniel kick), 5:44
Second quarter
AHS: Daniel 23 kick, 0:02
Third quarter
OHS: Reese Beasley 32 kick, 10:21
Fourth quarter
OHS: Johnson 63 run (Beasley kick), 10:11
AHS: Cash Reif 16 pass from Myers (Daniel kick), 5:17
J.A.G. at OPELIKA
The Dogs host JAG (0-2, R 0-1) (formally Jeff Davis) Friday night on Homecoming at Bulldog Stadium. JAG enters the game coming off two straight blow-out losses, Hewitt-Trussville 57-0 and Carver 34-6.
Opelika holds a one game lead in the series, 15-14, and have won the last seven games in a row. The last time JAG (Jeff Davis) beat Bulldogs was in 2004 by a score of 28-0.
OHS played without starting QB Colby Key last Friday night against AHS, coach Moore has not made a statement on his status. Backup Fuller Young is expected to start if Key is not able to play.
This is a game Opelika should win. The program is in better shape with stability and steady support from fans, administration and the city of Opelika. Look for the Dogs to score early and often against the Jaguars. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on WKKR 97.7 Kicker FM, online at kickerfm.com and on the free iHeartRadio App. Listen to Van Riggs and crew beginning at 6 p.m. for the OES Bulldog Tailgate show.
OPELIKA CROSS COUNTRY
The OHS Cross Country Teams participated in the Thompson Warrior 2-mile Race and the Star Mill Invitational in Georgia. Both are large meets with several hundred participants in each meet.
The following are OHS student-athletes time and place.
GIRLS
14:23.09 — Holiday Rohrbaugh, 72nd
14:56.03 — Sophia Tucker, 92nd
14:56.95 — Lillian Massey, 94th
17:07.78 — Libby Cottrell, 182nd
BOYS
11:35.41 — Sutton Soltau, 95th
12:05.51 — John Greer, 137th
12:14.03 — Tripp Campbell, 148th
12:32.21 — Jaiden Keyes, 173rd
12:44.13 — Burch Harris, 188th
13:43.58 — Rashad Ware, 246th
Some of the OHS Cross Country team ran in the Stars Mill Meet in Fayetteville, Georgia. The following varsity runners finished the meet.
5000 Meter Run-Girls
18:44.12 — Caroline Couey, 3rd
5000 Meter Run – Boys
17:18.67 — Knox Newland, 50th
17:43.39 — Drew Schoonhoven
18:05.12 — Nicholas Brock, 91st
D. Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State Director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.
