BY WIL CREWS
SPORTSCREWS@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
Two weeks ago, Opelika was 4-0, fresh off a win over the then No. 1-ranked school in 7A, the Central Phenix City Red Devils.
Now, the Bulldogs are sufferers of two straight defeats, the most recent coming in a 34-24 loss to non-region Theodore (6A) at home in Bulldog Stadium last Friday night.
Opelika began the game against Theodore in opportunistic fashion. In the first quarter, senior safety Andre Smiley recovered a fumble and then intercepted Theodore quarterback Cameron Rigby, and the Bulldogs converted the turnovers into two scores. The first score came when junior quarterback Roman Gagliano connected with receiver Jamari Miller on a 14-yard pass. The second score arrived when Gagliano found receiver Jakai Simpson for a 49 yards. The third and final Opelika touchdown came from another Miller score, this time an 11-yard rush resulting in a 21-7 lead for the Bulldogs after one quarter.
From there, the most Opelika would only be able muster a field goal in the second quarter, as Theodore shut out its host in the second half.
“We did nothing in the second half right,” said Opelika head coach Eric Speakman.
While Opelika’s rushing attack was neutralized for most of the contest, Gagliano continued to air the ball in the second half. He completed 73.2% of his passes as the junior finished with 285 yard, two touchdowns and one interception. Gagliano’s favorite targets on the night were Miller — who finished with seven catches for 34 yards and two touchdowns — and senior Caden Cooper, who finished with 10 receptions for 93 yards.
Leading 24-20 at half, Opelika’s downfall ultimately came via Theodore’s rushing attack. Running back Brayden Jenkins tallied 237 total rush yards and four touchdowns on just 13 carries in the game. In total, Theodore outgained Opelika in total yards on the night, 408 to 346. The Bobcats racked up 292 rushing yards to Opelika’s 61.
“We didn’t stop the run, we didn’t stop the big plays … we had holding penalties on offense and we didn’t block the perimeter,” Speakman said.
To make matter worse, Opelika saw two key defensive playmakers — linebacker Tae Gay and defensive end Brenton Williams — exit the game Friday night due to injury. Gay finished second on the team on the team in tackles with six, and linebacker Will Garner led the Bulldogs with eight.
Opelika now has its sights set on cross-town rival Auburn High School. The teams meet Friday, Sept. 30, in a powerhouse 7A clash. With a win, the Bulldogs put themselves in pole position to finish as the No. 1-ranked team in the 7A Region 2.
“We are going to do a little soul searching and get this thing right as we head into Auburn week,” Speakman said.
