By D. Mark Mitchell
Sports Editor
The Opelika Bulldog football team will complete its first week of fall practice today.
OHS started Monday in shorts, T-shirts and helmets. Thursday, the team dressed out in full pads.
Head coach Brian Blackmon has been starting practice later in the afternoon because the team will be playing games at 7 p.m.
The fourth year head coach holds one session a day, no two-a-day practices.
The temperatures have been in the high 90’s all week with heat index over 100, but there has not been any issues with players overheating or passing out.
The staff is trying to find starters to replace the graduates from last years 7-4 team.
The closest battle is at quarterback with sophomores Mathew Christian and BJ White.
The two have no varsity experience, but are great athletes and smart young men.
Coach Blackmon thinks the defense is ahead after four days of practice.
Defensive Coordinator, Erik Speakman, will have a young, but physical group.
Opelika will open the 2012 season Aug. 31 in Alexander City against Benjamin Russell.
Season Football Tickets
Opelika High School will begin selling season tickets next week.
If you are a current season ticket holder, you can purchase your tickets from Monday Aug. 13 through Thursday Aug. 16 from 3:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the OPAC lobby. If you want to swap season tickets, you can go by on Friday Aug. 14 from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m.
If you are purchasing season tickets for the first time, you can get them on Monday Aug. 20 from 3:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.
For more information, call the OHS main office at (334) 745-9715.
Opelika Dixie Boys Baseball
The Opelika Dixie Boys All-Star team finished third in the 2012 World Series.
The team won two games in a row, 8-2 over Miss. And 4-3 over Texas before falling to Georgia 2-0 and Covington County 4-3.
The 14-year-old All-star team earned a trip to the World Series by winning the State Tournament in Piedmont.
This is the second straight year that the team earned a trip to the World Series. Last year, as 13-year-olds, they went to the World Series in Clemson, S.C.
I want to congratulate the players and coaches for representing the City of Opelika, the state of Alabama, The Opelika Dixie Boys League and their parents.