D. Mark Mitchell

D. Mark Mitchell

Columnist

D. Mark Mitchell is a writer for The Observer

D. Mark Mitchell's Latest

On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

Opelika finishes 8-2, heads to post-season OPINION — OHS FOOTBALLHoover (10-2) ended Opelika’s (9-3) football season with a 32-29 win in three overtimes last Friday at the Hoover Met.The quarterfinal matchup between the Bucs and the Bulldogs gained...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Nov. 14, 2024

Opelika to play against Hoover Friday OPINION — Opelika (9-2) football thumped Florence (6-5) by a score of 43-7 last Friday at Bulldog Stadium in the round one of the AHSAA Class 7A football playoffs.The Dogs started fast, blocking the Falcons’...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Nov. 7, 2024

Opelika finishes 8-2, heads to post-season OPINION — Opelika’s Football team (8-2) will host Florence (5-5) in the first round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association 7A State playoffs Friday at Bulldog Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Oct. 31, 2024

Opelika finishes 8-2, heads to post-season OPINION — In their last regular season game, the Opelika High School Bulldogs (8-2) lost to Carver 44-35 last Thursday at Crampton Bowl. The Dogs looked like a team destined to win their ninth game of the...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Oct. 24, 2024

Opelika defeats Central-Phenix City BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Opelika (8-1, R 5-1) beat the Central-Phenix City Red Devils (6-2, R 4-2) 23-14, last Friday night in front of a packed home crowd at Bulldog stadium, earning a first trip to the...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Oct. 17

BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Opelika (7-1, R 4-1) moved a step closer to clinching a playoff berth after beating Enterprise 30-13 last Friday at Homecoming at Bulldog Stadium.EHS head coach Ben Blackmon did not coach the Wildcats nor make the...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Oct. 10, 2024

BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Opelika (6-1, R 3-1) defeated Dothan 28-7 last Friday night at Ripp Hewes Stadium in Dothan. The Dogs held Wolves to 205 total yards and only 7 points, which is 25 fewer points than they average. DHS recovered a OHS...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Oct. 3, 2024

BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Opelika (5-1, R 2-1) beat Pike Road 31-20 last Friday in Montgomery in its second toughest game of the season. Coached by Granger Shook, The Patriot’s game plan was obvious from the beginning — Stop the Bulldog’s...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Sept. 26, 2024

BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION —Opelika (4-1, R 2-1) beat Smiths Station (0-5) 50-0, last Friday night at Bulldog Stadium on Homecoming. The Dogs piled up the points and yards; gaining 398 total yards, 154 passing yards and 224 yards rushing while the...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Sept. 19, 2024

BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Opelika (3-1, R 1-1) beat J.A.G. (0-4, R 0-2) 52-6 last Friday night at Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs did exactly as I predicted last week: They dominated the Jaguars in all three phases of the game for four quarters...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Sept. 12, 2024

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...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Sept. 5, 2024

BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — The Opelika Bulldogs (2-0) opened their home schedule, thumping Calloway [Georgia} (0-2) 48-13 at Bulldog Stadium last Friday night. Bulldog head coach Bryan Moore wanted his team to start fast, score early and often...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Aug. 29, 2024

OHS Football season now underway BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — The Bryan Moore era at OHS started with a bang, with Opelika opening the season with a 28-14 win over Benjamin Russell last Friday in Alex City.Opelika’s Jamari Miller returned the...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Aug. 15, 2024

BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPELIKA — It is hard to to believe, but high school football season starts next Thursday in Alabama. Most local schools play their first games next week, Aug. 22 or 23.Opelika will open the season by playing Benjamin Russell on...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Aug. 8, 2024

BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPELIKA — The Opelika football team started fall practice Monday, preparing for the 2024 season. Head coach Bryan Moore has a new schedule for the next two seasons.OHS plays five road games and five home games. Here is a summary...

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On the Mark | Nov. 21, 2024

On the Mark | Aug. 1, 2024

BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Opelika football coach Bryan Moore starts fall practice Monday Aug. 5, in preparation for the 2024 season.Moore spoke to the media last week at FOX Sports the Game High School Media Days presented by Orthopedic Clinic...

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On the Mark| July 18, 2024

On the Mark| July 18, 2024

BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Most schools in Alabama start within the first two weeks of August. Lee County Schools’ first day for students is Aug. 6, Lee-Scott Academy’s first day is Aug. 7 and Opelika and Auburn City Schools’ first day for...

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On the Mark

On the Mark

High School Media Days BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — High School Media Days will be hosted by iHeartMedia’s local radio station, FOX Sports the Game 910-1310, on July 23-24. The two-day event is sponsored by The Orthopaedic Clinic and hosted at the...

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On the Mark

On the Mark | July 4, 2024

BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Opelika High football coach Bryan Moore joined “On the Mark” radio show last week on FOX Sports the Game 910-1310 AM and the iHeartRadio app. Moore updated fans about summer workouts.“It is hard to believe June is...

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On the Mark

Opelika Sports | June 27, 2024

BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Every successful high school athletic department has a strong Booster Club to help offset expenses in order to make sure the teams have what is needed to be the best. The items range from nutrition, food (meals), buses...

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