ON THE MARK
D. MARK MITCHELL
The Alabama High Athletic Association’s bylaws require the member schools to be re-classified every two years. Earlier this week, the Central Board of Control approved the Classification System for Fall Sports in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
The AHSAA has a tedious system, using State Department of Education numbers for grades nine through 11, 1.35 multiplier and competive balance numbers for private schools. The numbers are entered in a computer system, determining the seven classifications. Class 7A remained at 32 teams, while 1A through 6A have 64 or more teams.
Opelika moved from Class 6A to Class 7A for the first time since the seventh classification was added in 2014.
OHS reported an average of 1,129.65 students in grades nine through 11, during the 20-day period after Labor Day. Two years ago, OHS reported 953.70 students in the three grades.
The jump from 6A to 7A may seem schocking to some, but Opelika has grown in population, newly constructed homes and town houses.
The Bulldogs will play in Class 7A- Region 2, along with Central, Dothan, Enterprise, Jeff Davis, Prattville, RE Lee and Smiths Station. Opelika played in a similiar region prior to the existence of Class 7A, with the exception of Prattville.
Coach Erik Speakman will only need to find two non-region games in order to have a 10-game schedule.
The nine schools in Region 2 met Wednesday night, to finalize the Region schedule.
Opelika’s other Fall sports:
• Volleyball Area will consist of Auburn, Central and Smiths Station.
• Cross Country Sectional-Same as football
• Swimming 6A-7A joins together in the South.
You can find a detail breakdown of fall reclassification, by going online at www.ahsaa.com
OHS BASKETBALL
The Opelika High School varsity girls’ basketball team (6-3) won three games last week in the Mainstreet gym, beating Valley, Benjamin Russell and Central.
The Lady Bulldogs opened Area play with a 70-23 thumping of the Valley High School Rams. Offensively, Haley Sanders scored her 1000th point as a member of the OHS team. Erica Mathews scored 13 points and Ashanti Thomas added 10 points.
Opelika then downed Benjamin Russell High School 48-30 in Mainstreet gym on the OHS campus. Sanders let the team with 19 points while Thomas added 10 points.
The Lady Bulldogs ended the week with a 50-41 win over rival Central. Sanders continued having the hot hand on offense, scoring 18 points to lead Opelika. Teammates Thomas and Mathews scored 14 and 12 points, respectively.
The varsity girls play in two tournaments over the Christmas break, at Spain Park Tournament Dec. 20 through 22 and the Columbus Tournament (Columbus, Georgia) Dec. 27 and 28. The OHS boys play in the LaGrange (Georgia) tournament, Dec. 28 through 30. Both teams play at Auburn, Jan. 4. The girls’ and boys’ games will air on FOX Sports the Game 910-am and 1310 am, presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic. Airtime is 5:45 p.m. for the varsity girls; boys follow.
The OHS boys varsity basketball team (2-5) won one of three games last week, including an Area loss to Valley.
Opelika opened the week losing an Area game to Valley, 63-62, at Mainstreet Gym. Despite the loss, Isaiah Knight scored 19 points and Grady Bynum added 14 points.
The Dogs beat Benjamin Russell 86-65 for their second win of the season. Grady Bynum led the team offensively with 16 points. Knight and DJ Harris scored 14 points and 12 points respectively.
Central ended the week beating Opelika 77-69 in front of a packed Mainstreet Gym. Knight scored 21 points, while Harris and Brenton Williams scored 9 points apiece.
WRESTLING
The Opelika High Wrestling team participated in the “Suede Umbach” wrestling tournament, hosted by Auburn High last week. The Bulldogs finished No. 21 out of 35 teams. The following is a breakdown of Opelika wrestler’s results.
120 LB
– Derrick Hoyett scored 4 points
– Champ. Round 1 – Avaneesh Subramaniam (Lambert) 13-12 won by fall over Derrick Hoyett (Opelika) 2-3 (Fall 2:46)
– Cons. Round 1 – Derrick Hoyett (Opelika) 2-3 received a bye (Bye)
– Cons. Round 2 – Derrick Hoyett (Opelika) 2-3 won by fall over Pedro Cabrera (Opelika) 2-2 (Fall 3:41)
– Cons. Round 3 – Toby Hymel (Daphne) 12-7 won by fall over Derrick Hoyett (Opelika) 2-3 (Fall 4:07)
120 LB
– Pedro Cabrera (2-2).
– Champ. Round 1 – Pedro Cabrera (Opelika) 2-2 won by fall over Averette Ellison (Troup) 6-8 (Fall 3:08)
– Champ. Round 2 – Cale Garner (Auburn) 2-2 won by fall over Pedro Cabrera (Opelika) 2-2 (Fall 1:32)
– Cons. Round 2 – Derrick Hoyett (Opelika) 2-3 won by fall over Pedro Cabrera (Opelika) 2-2 (Fall 3:41)
126 LB
– Brayden Wilson (4-3) scored 6.0 team points.
– Champ. Round 1 – Brayden Wilson (Opelika) 4-3 received a bye
– Champ. Round 2 – Brayden Wilson (Opelika) 4-3 won by fall over David Baradell (Jasper) 9-8 (Fall 1:08)
– Quarterfinal – Hudson Waldrop (Mcadory) 28-2 won by tech fall over Brayden Wilson (Opelika) 4-3 (TF-1.5 2:48 (15-0))
– Cons. Round 4 – Gatlin Tate (Prattville) 10-9 won by fall over Brayden Wilson (Opelika) 4-3 (Fall 2:52)
132 LB
–Tyrese Pitts (3-2) .
– Champ. Round 1 – Tyrese Pitts (Opelika) 3-2 received a bye
– Champ. Round 2 – Gabriel Herrington (Daphne) 9-6 won by fall over Tyrese Pitts (Opelika) 3-2 (Fall 4:34)
– Cons. Round 2 – Tyrese Pitts (Opelika) 3-2 won by major decision over Brendon Pike (Callaway ) 2-4 (MD 13-4)
– Cons. Round 3 – Max Sciro (Lambert) 18-9 won by fall over Tyrese Pitts (Opelika) 3-2 (Fall 2:42)
132 LB
– Micah Smith (2-3)
– Champ. Round 1 – Micah Smith (Opelika) 2-3 received a bye
– Champ. Round 2 – Bryson Mcdonald (Smiths Station) 10-6 won by fall over Micah Smith (Opelika) 2-3 (Fall 3:55)
– Cons. Round 2 – Micah Smith (Opelika) 2-3 received a bye
– Cons. Round 3 – Thomas Peerson (Pelham) 7-11 won by fall over Micah Smith (Opelika) 2-3 (Fall 4:06)
138 LB
– Denarvious Anderson (3-3) scored 4.0 team points.
– Champ. Round 1 – Jaylen Martinez (Jasper) 4-5 won by fall over Denarvious Anderson (Opelika) 3-3 (Fall 4:53)
– Cons. Round 1 – Denarvious Anderson (Opelika) 3-3 received a bye
– Cons. Round 2 – Denarvious Anderson (Opelika) 3-3 won by fall over Austin Walker (Enterprise) 0-3 (Fall 3:45)
– Cons. Round 3 – Elijah Splitt (Baker) 16-5 won by fall over Denarvious Anderson (Opelika) 3-3 (Fall 0:41)
145 LB
– Brady Campbell (7-2) scored 9.5 team points.
– Champ. Round 1 – Brady Campbell (Opelika) 7-2 won by fall over Hayden Morgan (Lee County) 6-8 (Fall 1:49)
– Champ. Round 2 – Logan Reaves (Hewitt-Trussville) 21-2 won by decision over Brady Campbell (Opelika) 7-2 (Dec 4-3)
– Cons. Round 2 – Brady Campbell (Opelika) 7-2 won by tech fall over Kamden Marvel (Benjamin Russell) 1-2 (TF-1.5 1:59 (15-0))
– Cons. Round 3 – Brady Campbell (Opelika) 7-2 won by fall over Noah Schilleci (Pelham) 11-6 (Fall 2:16)
– Cons. Round 4 – Ethan Kidd (Lambert) 16-4 won by fall over Brady Campbell (Opelika) 7-2 (Fall 0:33)
145 LB
– Jacob Williams (2-5)
– Champ. Round 1 – Kullum Irvin (Troup) 17-2 won by fall over Jacob Williams (Opelika) 2-5 (Fall 1:49)
– Cons. Round 1 – Kamden Marvel (Benjamin Russell) 1-2 won by fall over Jacob Williams (Opelika) 2-5 (Fall 2:21)
152 LB
– Harrison Renfroe (2-3)
– Champ. Round 1 – Tim Dunn (Troup) 2-2 won by fall over Harrison Renfroe (Opelika) 2-3 (Fall 4:16)
– Cons. Round 1 – Harrison Renfroe (Opelika) 2-3 received a bye
– Cons. Round 2 – Clayton Wilson (Baker) 9-11 won by fall over Harrison Renfroe (Opelika) 2-3 (Fall 3:42)
152 LB
– Andre Smiley (2-3) scored 8.0 team points.
– Champ. Round 1 – Andre Smiley (Opelika) 2-3 won by fall over Sergio Morales (Troup) 2-4 (Fall 1:16)
– Champ. Round 2 – Andre Smiley (Opelika) 2-3 won by fall over Ian Gillis (Enterprise) 0-2 (Fall 1:39)
– Quarterfinal – Cole Kuhlers (Grissom) 3-2 won by decision over Andre Smiley (Opelika) 2-3 (Dec 5-1)
– Cons. Round 4 – D`sean Lee (Smiths Station) 6-4 won by fall over Andre Smiley (Opelika) 2-3 (Fall 1:44)
160 LB
– Landon Willis (3-6) scored 4.0 team points.
– Champ. Round 1 – Landon Willis (Opelika) 3-6 won by decision over Javon Watts (Auburn) 0-2 (Dec 12-11)
– Champ. Round 2 – Ethan Lassere (Daphne) 18-4 won by fall over Landon Willis (Opelika) 3-6 (Fall 1:56)
– Cons. Round 2 – Landon Willis (Opelika) 3-6 won by major decision over Ian Chambers (Pelham) 11-11 (MD 11-1)
– Cons. Round 3 – Darryl Lindsey-honeycutt (Central) 12-14 won by decision over Landon Willis (Opelika) 3-6 (Dec 9-6)
170 LB
– Keon Brazier (1-7) scored 3.0 team points.
– Champ. Round 1 – Preston Reed (Jasper) 19-3 won by fall over Keon Brazier (Opelika) 1-7 (Fall 0:53)
– Cons. Round 1 – Keon Brazier (Opelika) 1-7 won by fall over Robert Smith (Callaway ) 0-2 (Fall 1:00)
– Cons. Round 2 – Journey Hall (Huntsville) 16-7 won by fall over Keon Brazier (Opelika) 1-7 (Fall 3:59)
182 LB
– Tommie Johnson (2-6) scored 4.0 team points.
– Champ. Round 1 – Tommie Johnson (Opelika) 2-6 won by fall over Keith Warren (Enterprise) 0-3 (Fall 1:30)
– Champ. Round 2 – Kennedy Wyatt (Gardendale) 18-0 won by fall over Tommie Johnson (Opelika) 2-6 (Fall 0:24)
– Cons. Round 2 – James Watson (Daphne) 4-4 won by fall over Tommie Johnson (Opelika) 2-6 (Fall 4:22)
195 LB
– Jack Pritchard (9-2) placed 4th and scored 15.0 team points.
– Champ. Round 1 – Jack Pritchard (Opelika) 9-2 won by fall over Thomas Lashley (Benjamin Russell) 0-2 (Fall 1:32)
– Champ. Round 2 – Jack Pritchard (Opelika) 9-2 won by fall over Maxwell Jenkins (Daphne) 6-8 (Fall 1:45)
– Quarterfinal – Jack Pritchard (Opelika) 9-2 won by decision over Kyle Oliveira (Spain Park) 10-7 (Dec 7-2)
– Semifinal – Evan Pippin (Bob Jones) 22-1 won by fall over Jack Pritchard (Opelika) 9-2 (Fall 5:22)
– Cons. Semi – Jack Pritchard (Opelika) 9-2 won by decision over Zander Terry (Pelham) 18-6 (Dec 3-2)
– 3rd Place Match – Cole Carter (Jasper) 19-2 won by decision over Jack Pritchard (Opelika) 9-2 (Dec 3-1)
220 LB
– E`mauri Smiley (3-2)
– Champ. Round 1 – E`mauri Smiley (Opelika) 3-2 received a bye
– Champ. Round 2 – Joseph Shuman (Callaway ) 2-2 won by major decision over E`mauri Smiley (Opelika) 3-2 (MD 16-6)
– Cons. Round 2 – E`mauri Smiley (Opelika) 3-2 won by major decision over Max Crook (Auburn) 0-2 (MD 18-6)
– Cons. Round 3 – Colton Rainer (Daphne) 5-2 won by decision over E`mauri Smiley (Opelika) 3-2 (Dec 3-2)
220 LB
– Mckenzie Felder (2-3) scored 1.0 team points.
– Champ. Round 1 – Mckenzie Felder (Opelika) 2-3 received a bye
– Champ. Round 2 – Beau Martin (Pelham) 5-4 won by fall over Mckenzie Felder (Opelika) 2-3 (Fall 3:28)
– Cons. Round 2 – Mckenzie Felder (Opelika) 2-3 won by decision over Colby Brownlee (Smiths Station) 2-4 (Dec 5-2)
– Cons. Round 3 – Weston Bryan (Lee County) 5-2 won by fall over Mckenzie Felder (Opelika) 2-3 (Fall 1:35)
285 LB
– Ari Brogdon (3-3)
– Champ. Round 1 – Ari Brogdon (Opelika) 3-3 received a bye
– Champ. Round 2 – Maddox Sunderman (Bob Jones) 18-5 won by fall over Ari Brogdon (Opelika) 3-3 (Fall 0:58)
– Cons. Round 2 – Tymon Belyeu (Benjamin Russell) 9-6 won by fall over Ari Brogdon (Opelika) 3-3 (Fall 0:51)
TIDBITS
Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, appearing “On the Mark” radio show, said he hoped the two softball fields at West Ridge Park would be completed by the end of January. Fuller explained the city purchased the turf and is waiting for the sight to be prepped.
Fuller explained the softball fields are not the only fields to be turfed.
“We plan to turf every field at West Ridge, ‘a pod’ at a time.”
West Ridge has three pods, the softball and Dixie Boys fields, the Miracle Field and three other Dixie Youth fields and the main Dixie Youth complex off Covington Avenue.
West Ridge is the home to nine baseball fields for ages 5 to 16, two softball fields for 6-year-olds through high school and the Billy Hitchcock Miracle Field.
D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1310, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball State Director.