Six seniors from Opelika High School signed to play football for universities around the country Wednesday. The following athletes signed with their respective schools during the OHS signing day event. Jared Gentry-University of Memphis, Quandeski Whitlow-University of South Carolina, Matthew Christian-Murray State University, Stanley Smith-Mercer University, Roy Yancey-Arizona Western College, Lydell Vines – Huntingdon College. (Top, from left to right, Smith, Vines and Christian. (Bottom row) Whitlow, Century and Yancey. (
By D. Mark Mitchell
Sports columnist
SIGNING DAY
Wednesday was signing day for student/athletes across the country.
Opelika had 7 athletes sign national letters of intent that day. Drew Kyser had signed with Memphis last fall and is already enrolled and attending classes there.
Following are the OHS players and universities they accepted scholarship from:
Jared Gentry- (Defensive Line) Memphis
Quandeski Whitlow-(Defensive End) South Carolina
Mathew Christian-(Quarterback) Murray State
Stanley Smith-(Offensive Line) Mercer
Roy Yancey- (linebacker) Arizona Western College
Lydell Vines-(receiver) Huntington
Congratulations to all these student -athletes. I have thoroughly enjoyed broadcasting every game each of these young men played while at OHS. All these young men are great people in the classroom, off the field and on the field.
Good luck guys!
INDOOR TRACK
The OHS girls and boys indoor track teams participated in the Last Chance Meet in Birmingham last weekend.
Our girls finished eighth out of 135 teams from across the South.
The following OHS girls scored points:
-Jada Moss-fifth place in shot put and
-Kala Spinks- sixth place in 400 meters and third place in 60 meter hurdle.
The 4 x 200 meter relay team ( Ashayla Frazier, Ghanaia Warren, Kala Spinks and Diondra Larkin) finished third.
Diondra Larkin finished eighth place in long jump.
The boys finished second out of the 135 teams. Individuals/teams scoring were:
-Nate Huggins- 3rd place in 400 meter dash,
-Ben Bryant-second in 1600 meter run,
-Ben Bryant- first in 3200 meter run,
-Kacey Spinks-fifth in 60 meter hurdles
-4 x 200 meter relay team (Jailin Marshall, Kacey Spinks, Nate Huggins and Will Boler) won and
-Will Boler- sixth in triple jump.
The two teams will compete in the State Indoor Meet next weekend in Birmingham.
BASKETBALL
The girls and boys basketball teams are presently competing in their Area Tournaments at the Sports Arena on the OHS campus. Coach Booth’s girls finished the regular season 17-9 while Coach Wadsworth’s boys finished 18-5.
Both teams’ first Area games scores were not available at press time.
The two teams must finish first or second in their Area Tournaments to advance to the State tournament.
Details in next week’s column or follow me on twitter @voiceofdawgs.
D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for iHeart Media, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.