OPELIKA FOOTBALL

The DothanTigers scored 14 points in a span of 1:10 to upset the Opelika Bulldogs 45-41 last Friday night at Rip Hewes stadium in Dothan. The game was like a rollercoaster ride for the Dawgs. The tigers scored the first 17 points after O.H.S. fumbled on 3 straight posessions.  A fumble recovery at the 38 yard line led to a T.D. pass, a fumble in the end zone recovered by the Tigers was the games 2nd T.D., and a third fumble led to a 27 yard chip shot field goal. Opelika settled down on the next 3  posessions scoring a touchdown on a 67 yard pass from Q.B. Dalton Pritchett to Terrence Spinks, a 12 yard strike for a T.D.  from Pritchett to Brandon Canady and then a Cameron Hill 2 yard touchdown run. Taylor Daniel added all 3 P.A.T. to give the Dawgs a 21-17 lead with around 5 minutes left in the 1st half. Dothan booted a 35 yard field goal to close the score to 21-20 at the half.

In the 2nd half Opelika scored 20 points, Corey Grant caught a 25 yard pass for a score, Cameron Hill ran 5 yards for a T.D. and Grant rushed for a 13 yard score. Daniel hit 2 of 3 P.A.T. and missed a 27 yard field goal. In the 4th quarter O.H.S. appeared to be in control with an 11 point lead.  Dothan took over at the Dawg 35 yard line and scored a touchdown on a pass that bounced off an Opelika player into the hands of Marcus Smith who raced into the end zone for the score. TheTigers added a 2 point conversion to pull within 3 points with less than a minute to play. On the ensuing onside kick the ball landed in an Opelika players arm only to have a teammate’s helmet jar it loose into a Tiger player’s arm. On 3rd down and 10, Dothan Q.B. LeGrand found Brandon Knight on a screen pass for 48 yards and the game winning touchdown.

Opelika head man, coach Brian Blackmon, lost his first game as a head coach (2-1) and now finds his team in a do or die situation every region game (1-1) if they are to win the region. The Dawgs return home Friday night to host the Enterprise Wildcats in a key region game. Enterprise brings in a 1-2 record overall and 0-2 in region play. Enterprise defense has allowed 42 and 41 points in the last 2 games, both region losses, to Central and Auburn. The Wildcats graduated 30 plus seniors last year and will bring a young but hungry team to Bulldog stadium. Opelika has to start quick and play an entire game to get back in the region title picture.

You can purchase your game tickets at Bubbas MedicineShop, Victory Designs or Rice Banking until 5p.m.Thursday or Friday until 1 p.m. You can listen to the game on the Opelika radio network on WKKR 97.7 F.M. or on internet at www.kickerfm.com on the dawgnetwork picture and then the bulldog to listen)

OPELIKA MIDDLE SCHOOL

The O.M.S. football team defeated Eufaula last Thursday 35-0 to remain a perfect 3-0 on the season. Opelika will host Auburn’s 7th and 8th grade football team today stating at 5p.m. at Bulldog stadium.

OPELIKA CROSS COUNTRY

The Dawgs cross country team will participate in the LaGrangeInvitational September 26th in West point.

VOLLEYBALL

The varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams will host Russell Co. Thursday at 4:00 at old gym.

Thedawgnetwork.com

Opelika high SCHOOL has launched a new web-site for the athletic department. The site adds something everyday and will continue to improve. You can find information on all of the sports at the high school or middle school. You can watch highlights of the games and interviews from the players and coaches.  Go to www.thedawgnetwork.com

YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH OPELIKA ATHLETICS EVERYDAY BY TUNING INTO “ON THE MARK” RADIO SHOW EVERY MORNING FROM 7-9 A.M. ON WTLM 1520a.m. OR ON THE WEB AT kickerfm.com (CLICK ON SPORTS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HOME PAGE, THEN CLICK the “ON THE MARK” BANNER.