By D. Mark Mitchell
Sports Editor
The Opelika athletic department has shifted attention to summer workouts for each sport. Coach Blackmon has four dates to use for 7-on-7 competition. The AHSAA will allow each sport four dates for games, matches, etc. Coach Blackmon will use these for 7-on-7 camps and team camp.
Head baseball Coach Billy Jones and assistants Rick Wade and Zach Blatt took the team to Jax State for team camp. This is a annual event in which high school baseball teams from across the state travel to the Gamecocks’ campus to play baseball games against different teams. Rain caused havoc – the Dawgs have only played one game as of late Thursday. But rain or no rain, this will be a good bonding trip.
Head girls and boys basketball coaches Wadsworth and Booth are preparing their teams for four game dates. Each will play several games during these four days. The AHSAA allows four days but has no limits on how many games you play in a day.
Softball, track, cross country and other sports are all trying to improve over the summer.
ALL-SPORTS BOOSTER CLUB
The All-Sports Boosters are renewing and selling Corporate Sponsorship packages. The Booster club is also in charge of the football program. You can purchase an ad in the football program as well as a corporate sponsorship. Ads range from $500 full page color ad for covers of the program to $100 business card ad. Parents can purchase ads for family members and or students.
Email Christy Milner at www.opelikafootballprogram@yahoo.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in purchasing an ad. If you are interested in a Corporate Sponsorship, call me at 319-0467 or email me at www.foxonthemark@yahoo.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
BACK TO THE DAWG HOUSE
The tenth annual “Back to the Dawg House” youth football camp will be held June 28 at Bulldog Stadium. The camp is free for third through sixth graders. You can register at the Opelika Sportsplex or the Covington Recreation Center.Pre-registration is important so the child will have a T-shirt and lunch. The camp is sponsored by the Opelika Rotary Club.
Opelika alums Will Herring and SaJason Finley are the founders of the camp, which features former Opelika players. The purpose of the camp is to instill sportsmanship, character and the principals of football with a Christian theme.
I encourage any parent with a young son or loved one to sign your child up for the camp.
DIXIE BASEBALL
The Opelika Dixie Youth League All-Star teams are preparing for tournaments. The Dixie Youth league has four All-Star teams: two Pee-Wee teams (ages 7-8), a minor league team (ages 9-10) and Ozone Team (ages 11-12).
The following are the teams and coaches who will represent Opelika Dixie Youth
– Pee-Wee National: Caden Blair, Judson Cherry, Russell Copous, Jake Cummings, Taylor Fields, Evan Henderson, Jackson Kilcreas, Ethan Lewis, D’Andre Smith and Trey White. Manager – Joel White; coaches – Robbie Henderson, Steve Livingston and Dale Coupus.
– Pee-Wee American: Sylvester Dixon, Logan Elkins, Davis Ford, Christopher Gamble, Brodie Jones, Banks Leornard, James Lovelace, Jackson McKay, Lee Roberson, Jackson Sanders, Zachary Sasser and Brayden Wilson. Manager – Jason McKay; coaches – Jerome Sanders and Robbie Elkins
– Minor League: Brooks Bryan, Caleb Chisum, Brantely Davis, Tyler Davis, Julian Duke, Paul Goodman, Jackson Harris, John Knitter, Landon Lee, Kydylan Ligon and James Newton. Manager – Micheal Lee; coaches – Parker Goodman and Trip “patchin” Davis.
These teams will start tournament play June 21. We will have the schedules in next week’s edition.
KEEP UP WITH OPELIKA ATHLETICS DAILY
Fans can keep up with OHS and OMS athletics each day by going to http://www.thedawgnetwork.com/ and tuning in weekdays from 7-9 a.m. on WTLM 1520 am for “ON THE MARK” radio show. Jeff Sasser and I will keep you up to date with Opelika each day.
You can follow me on Twitter using handle:
@voiceofthedawgs.
D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for Qantum Radio, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.