D. Mark Mitchell
Columnist
D. Mark Mitchell is a writer for The Observer
D. Mark Mitchell's Latest
BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — Sometimes a loss reveals more about a football team than a win ever could.Last Thursday night in Prattville, Opelika walked into the home stadium of Class 6A’s top-ranked team and came within minutes of pulling off one...
OPINION — The Opelika Bulldogs saw their hopes of improving their playoff position take a hit last Friday night as Carver of Montgomery used a balanced offensive attack and a stingy defense to claim a 27-14 victory at Cramton Bowl.The Wolverines...
OPINION — Due to the emergence of Hurricane Isaias, Dothan High School had to travel to Opelika on Thursday, Oct. 8, a day before the originally scheduled game with Opelika High School since the Wolves’ home stadium, Rip Hewes — which is...
BY D MARK MITCHELL OPINION —A packed house at Duck Samford Stadium got exactly what it expected Friday night: another hard-fought chapter in the Auburn-Opelika rivalry.With both teams battling for important Class 6A Region 2 positioning, defense...
OPINION — After a much-needed week off, Opelika High School returns to action Friday, Oct. 2, in one of the biggest games on the regular season schedule, traveling to Duck Samford Stadium to face archrival Auburn High School in a crucial...
OPINION — For three quarters at Bulldog Stadium on Sept. 11, Opelika High School showed the grit and resilience that have become a hallmark of the Bulldogs. But against a talented Central High School squad, mistakes proved too much to...
OPINION — Friday night carried extra significance for Opelika High School head coach Jonathan Chandler. Standing on the home sideline at Bulldog Stadium, Chandler watched his team respond to a difficult season-opening loss with a performance...
2026-08-27 Opelika 7 Hover 21 Coach Jonathan Chanler made a good show but not enough to hold off Hover OPINION —One of the most intriguing storylines surrounding Opelika football this season is the battle at quarterback, a competition that could...
OPINION — The wait is finally over. After months of preparation, the Opelika Bulldogs (0-0) will kick off the 2026 season Thursday night when they host Hoover (1-0) at Bulldog Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.The Hoover Buccaneers arrive in...
OPINION — The countdown is officially on. After months of offseason workouts, summer conditioning and preseason practices, Opelika High School is now just days away from opening the 2026 football season against one of Alabama’s premier...
BY D MARK MITCHELL OPINION The countdown to another exciting year of Opelika High School athletics is officially underway as Bulldog teams make their final adjustments before the start of the 2026 fall sports season.One of the newest and...
OPINION — The countdown to football season officially began last week as Opelika joined 27 other high school football programs during the annual iHeartRadio High School Media Days presented by The Orthopaedic Clinic. The two-day event was held...
OPINION — The countdown to football season is officially underway, and Opelika fans have plenty of reasons to be excited as the Bulldogs prepare for another run through one of the toughest schedules in Alabama.Following last week’s AHSAA All-Star...
BY D MARK MITCHELL OPINION — The Opelika Bulldogs took another step toward the upcoming football season last week, unveiling brand-new Nike uniforms during picture day and gaining valuable experience in a preseason scrimmage at Pike Road.First-year...
BY D. MARK MITCHELL OPINION — The Opelika High School football team officially kicked off another exciting week of preparation for the upcoming season Monday morning with its annual picture and media day at Bulldog Stadium.The Bulldogs partnered...
OPINION — Opelika High School varsity football is practicing for fall kickoff, stay up-to-date on fall athletics with iHeartRadio OHS FootballWith just four weeks remaining until fall practice begins in August, Opelika High School head football...
OPINION — Opelika High Athletics took the week off, allowing student-athletes to enjoy time with friends and family and enjoy the 4th of July holiday.The Bulldog football team has been working extremely hard during summer workouts and will need the...
OPINION —Summer may still be in full swing but make no mistake, football season is already taking shape in Opelika.Opelika High School head football coach Jonathan Chandler joined “On the Mark” radio show on FOX Sports the Game earlier this week,...
OPINION — Bulldog FootballThe OHS football team continues its summer regimen, practicing four days a week, including late starts on Mondays. Under head coach Jonathan Chandler, the Bulldogs are taking a proactive approach to building chemistry,...
OPINION — The Opelika High School football team officially kicked off summer workouts on Monday, June 1, signaling the beginning of another highly anticipated season for Bulldog football. Head coach Jonathan Chandler joined the “On the Mark” radio...