Opelika High School football beats Central to secure the seeding

After a 23-14 win over No. 2 Central-Phenix City, students stormed the field, Bulldog punter Zyon Henderson waved an Opelika flag across the field and players cheered one another.

It was a well-deserved celebration for a team that went 4-6 and missed the playoffs last season. Things were completely different under head coach Bryan Moore, who beat the Bulldogs 8-1 in his first year as head coach and secured a playoff spot in the daunting 2-7A region.

“Great senior class, a lot of good coaches that are here that I’ve worked with before have stayed,” Moore said of Opelika’s turnaround. “Just proud of everyone involved, a great administration that allowed us to do what we needed to do and gave us the things we needed to be successful. And then a lot of encouragement from children. Just the belief that we could do this, and we're not done yet. This is just the beginning, but we are excited for our seniors and proud of their legacy.”

It was an outstanding performance from the defense all night long, as they continued to make big stops to preserve Opelika's 17-7 halftime lead. The Bulldogs forced three turnovers on downs and hit Central quarterback Andrew Alford twice.

Opelika defender Kevian King led the Bulldog defense, stopping three Central attacks. On the Red Devils' first drive, he had a pass breakup to force a turnover on downs, a goal-line interception to keep Opelika ahead for two possessions, and a tackle on fourth down in the fourth quarter, resulting in a Another key turnover on downs led to Opelika only leading 20-14.

Moore said the first player he met when he took the Opelika job was King. Coaches on the staff last season told Moore that King would be the leader of the team, and the senior defensive back has done just that.

“I have not seen greater growth in a young person as far as his character, his desire and of course his play on the field,” Moore said. “This couldn’t happen to a better child.”

King said the play on which he was intercepted was a call Central had made throughout the game, a play action that turned into a slash across the middle of the field. The Red Devils had success for most of the game, but near the end zone, King “knew it was coming at some point,” and he made Central pay with his pick.

King was part of the team that didn't make the playoffs last year, and compared to this year's team, he said there is a big difference in the mindset of the two teams.

“I think most of our players believe we can actually go far this year,” King said. “I think that has a big impact on our team. So if we keep the same energy, we can even make it where we are.”

With Opelika's win and Carver-Montgomery's loss to Auburn High, the Bulldogs (8-1, 5-1) secured second place in the region, regardless of the outcome of Opelika's game next week against Carver-Montgomery.

Getting the No. 2 seed means Opelika will be at home in at least the first round of the playoffs, something the Bulldogs haven't done since they last made the playoffs in 2021 as part of Class 6A.

“It’s definitely nice. I mean, this is our first time making the playoffs in 7A,” Opelika defenseman Malik Autry said. “So I mean, not only did we make the playoffs, but we hosted and we're 8-1 out of 4-6, we're blessed and super lucky.”

OHS: Blake Johnson 2 run (Reese Beasley kick), 6:15

OHS: Jamari Miller 61 pass from Colby Key (Beasley kick), 2:15

OHS: Beasley 26 kick, 6:40

CHS: Tristan Williams 10 run (Jack Ciancio kick), 3:16

OHS: Beasley 41 kick, 6:18

CHS: Daylyn Upshaw 7 pass from Alford (Ciancio kick), 6:12

OHS: Beasley 40 kick, 2:22