CLASS 6A: Opelika faces Russell County in home opener

By OANow Staff

Published: September 4, 2008

Editor’s Note:  This is the last in a series previewing this week’s Friday night high school football games: Today: Class 6A

Despite proving year in and year out there is no rebuilding — only reloading — at Opelika, some continued to doubt the Bulldogs in 2008.

The doubt came from the fact that the Bulldogs had just four returning starters back from last year’s 9-3 team.

But after last week’s 30-6 beatdown of Sidney Lanier, some have started taking notice.

After not being ranked to start the year, Opelika heads into tonight’s home opener with Russell County ranked No. 7 in Class 6A.

Last Thursday the Bulldogs got a big boost from junior speedster Corey Grant.

Grant, the reining 100- and 200- dash track champion returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown.

Russell County, with 16 total returning starters back including all 11 on defense, got its season off to a good start by beating Beauregard, 13-12.

Auburn (1-0) at Dothan (0-1)
Auburn played with a chip on its shoulder last Friday at Valley.

After many picked the Tigers to fall in their opener, Auburn proved them wrong with a dominating, 42-7 win.

The highlight was a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dontavious Griffin on the final play of the first half.

The Tigers have a strong shot at moving to 2-0 and getting their first win of the year in Class 6A-Region 3.

Their opponent, Dothan, is a team that has struggled the past few years and is coming off a 13-9 loss to the top-ranked team in Class 5A, Eufaula.

Northview (1-0)  at Smiths Station (1-0)
Talk about a strong start.

Under first-year head coach Mark Rose, Smiths Station opened its 2008 campaign with a 50-0 win last Friday over Talladega.

Northview slipped past R.E. Lee, 7-6.

Enterprise (1-0) at Central (1-0)
Central is expected to be a Region 3 title contender in 2008, and last Friday it showed why.

The Red Devils took out Georgia power Shaw, 33-32.

Enterprise, another team many figure to compete for the Region’s top spot, also opened with a win, beating Alma Bryant, 26-13.

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