On the Mark 10/26/09

OPELIKA ATHLETICS

The Opelika Bulldog football team lost to cross town rival Auburn High 41-15 last Friday night  at Bulldog stadium in the largest margin for Auburn since 1979.

The first half was like 2 heavy weight boxers swapping blows. The Dawgs held the visiting Tigers in check for a couple possessions, perhaps the play that changed everything was the last play of the first quarter. Auburn facing 3rd and 21 from the 18 yard line, senior and 3year starting quarterback Calvin Jenkins threw an 81 yard bomb to Jason Webb for the games first score. The visiting Tigers weathered the early storm and led 7-0 in front of a stunned crowd of over 8, ooo people. The Opelika football team was not ready to fold. After losing  all-state running back Corey Grant, the Dawgs turned to sophomore Cameron Hill and junior Paul Rowe, the pair had worked to the Auburn High 1 yard line and O.H.S.  had a first and goal situation down 7 ,against the number 1 team in 6a, Unfortunately Opelika fumbled the 1st snap to the 15, jumped offsides, fumbled another snap and missed a short field goal and came away with zero points.

Auburn High head coach Tim Carter (9-0, 7-0), region champions for the 2^nd year in a row was proud of his team, “I am so proud of our team, we played a pretty good Opelika football team and defeated them on their field. It’s always going to be a battle. This rival runs in cycles, and they have a fine young group on the way up.”

Holding a 14-0 lead at halftime Opelika received the opening kick, but went 3 downs and out. Auburn started showing why they are the number 1 team in the state. Coach Brian Blackmon gave all the credit to Auburn high “We got beat by a better football team, they outplayed us and there are a better team than we are”

The Dawgs Paul Rowe rushed for 150 yards while Cameron Hill contributed 82 yards.

Opelika , 6-3 and 4-3 in region, must rely on a lot of help this week to make the play-offs. The Dawgs are tied with Dothan, Enterprise for the final 2 spots.  We need alot of help by a lot of teams this week. Lets hope good things happen and the Dawgs continue to play football  in the 2009 post-season.

VARSITY BASKETBALL

Coach John Wadsworth and his varsity basketball team has practiced for 2 week preparing for the season. First game November 20, 2009 against Lanett with the J.V. starting at 4:00p.m., Varsity girls 5:30 and the varsity at 7p.m.. ALL HOME GAMES ARE AT THE SPORTS ARENA ON THE CAMPUS OF O.H.S.

CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE

The cross country meet will be held  November 5^th, at Keisel Park, Auburn

THEDAWGNETWORK.COM

Opelika high school has started a new web site to keep all fans, boosters and alumni up to date with everything going on in the athletic department. The site feature player pictures, rosters, schedules, future signing info and any other info you need.

YOU CAN ALSO KEEP UP WITH OPELIKA ATHLETICS ON A DAILEY BASIS MONDAY- FRIDAY ON WTLM A.M. 1520- THE SHOW IS CALLED “ON THE MARK”. THE VOICE OF THE BULLDOGS (D.MARK MITCHELL) AND HELPER (JEFF SASSER) HOST THE SHOW EVERY MORNING.