OPINION —The Opelika Bulldogs continued their playoff run in commanding fashion Friday night, defeating the Baker Hornets 35-9 in the second round of the AHSAA Class 7A playoffs in the friendly confines of Bulldog Stadium.
The Bulldogs (9-3) showcased a balanced attack and a stout defense that stifled Baker’s high-powered offense. After falling behind 3-0 early, Opelika responded with authority, scoring 14 unanswered points in the first half to take a 14-6 lead into the locker room. The second half was all Bulldogs, as they tacked on 21 more points while holding Baker to just a field goal.
Opelika’s defense was relentless, forcing punts and limiting big plays from a Baker squad that averaged more than 35 points per game this season. Key defensive stops and pressure up front kept the Hornets out of the end zone all night.
On offense, senior running back CJ Johnson led the way, finding the end zone twice and grinding out tough yards to keep the chains moving. Quarterback Whitt Cooper was efficient, connecting with receivers such as Dre Vann and Bennett Young on crucial grabs that extended drives.
Special teams made an impact as well. Kicker Reese Beasley stayed perfect on extra points and helped control field position throughout the game.
With the win, Opelika advances to the semifinals, where the Bulldogs will face cross-town rival Auburn High School at Duck Samford Stadium in the 101st meeting between the programs.
AHS enters the game with a 10-2 record and a five-game winning streak, including playoff victories over Vestavia Hills (52-41) and Daphne (40-0). The Tigers won the regular-season matchup 17-10 at Bulldog Stadium on Sept. 4. Both teams have improved in all three phases of the game, so Friday night has all the makings of a good old-fashioned barn burner.
Fans can listen to the Opelika–Auburn semifinal matchup on WKKR 97.7 KICKER FM, kickerfm.com and the free iHeartRadio app beginning at 6 p.m. with the Bulldog Tailgate Show, followed by Coach Moore’s pregame show at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff at 7 p.m. Tickets for the AHS–OHS showdown sold out in less than 90 minutes. The winner advances to the AHSAA Super 7 Championship Game at Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m., where they will face the winner of Thompson vs. Central.
This marks just the second time OHS and AHS have played twice in one season. The last time was in 2016, when Opelika avenged a regular-season loss by beating the Tigers at “The Duck” to advance to the semifinals.
Final Score: Opelika 35, Baker 9
Scoring by Quarter:
OHS – 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 — 35
BHS – 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 — 9
First Quarter
• BHS: Kayson Lawrence 22 FG, 7:39
• OHS: Johnson 3 run (Beasley kick), 2:01
Second Quarter
• BHS: Lawrence 35 FG, 5:40
• OHS: Johnson 1 run (Beasley kick), 0:29
Third Quarter
• OHS: CJ Johnson 1 run (Beasley kick), 10:50
• OHS: Washington 43 pass from Whitt Cooper (Beasley kick), 8:01
• BHS: Lawrence 24 FG, 5:25
Fourth Quarter
• OHS: CJ Johnson 11 pass from Cooper (Beasley kick), 11:54
Tidbits
• Auburn High blanked Daphne 40-0 last Friday on the road. The Tigers host OHS in the semifinals Friday.
• Chambers Academy beat Southern Academy 53-22, advancing to the AISA championship game against Lowndes Academy on Thursday at Cramton Bowl.
• Lanett (10-2) beat Ariton 34-14 in the second round of the AHSAA Class 2A playoffs, advancing to face Luverne, the highest-scoring offense in the state.
• Lee-Scott Academy lost a tough game to Montgomery Academy 38-0 last Friday, ending LSA’s season at 9-3.
• Loachapoka ended its season after a 17-14 overtime loss to Providence Christian.
• Russell County fell to Hueytown 49-29, closing out an incredible 10-2 season.
D. Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State Director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.
