Auburn Tops Opelika 17-10 in 100th Rivalry Showdown

OPELIKA, AL – The Auburn High Tigers secured a dramatic 17-10 victory over the Opelika Bulldogs in the 100th meeting between the two rivals. The Class 7A, Region 2 opener, held at a packed Bulldog Stadium, was decided in the final minutes of a tense fourth quarter.

The win marks the sixth consecutive victory for the Tigers in the historic series, extending their overall lead to 50-47-3.

With the game tied 10-10 late in the fourth quarter, Auburn executed a critical fake punt on fourth-and-4 from Opelika’s 49-yard line. The successful conversion kept the drive alive, setting the stage for the winning score. Seven plays later, Auburn quarterback Cason Myers connected with Cash Reif for a 17-yard touchdown pass, giving the Tigers a 17-10 lead with just 5:17 remaining.

Joseph Daniel’s extra point sealed the final score. Earlier, Daniel had contributed a 23-yard field goal just before halftime.

Auburn established a 10-0 lead in the first half. The Tigers’ first touchdown came on a trick play when wide receiver Joshua Askew threw an 11-yard pass to quarterback Cason Myers.

Opelika, playing without their starting quarterback, mounted a second-half comeback. The Bulldogs got on the board with a 32-yard field goal from Reese Beasley after recovering a fumble on the half’s opening kickoff. Later, a spectacular 63-yard touchdown run by Christopher Johnson tied the game at 10-10 with 10:11 left to play.

The Bulldogs’ final chance to tie or win was ended by a fumbled snap inside the Auburn 10-yard line with 1:56 left on the clock.

Myers led the Auburn offense, completing 25 of 38 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 64 rushing yards. For Opelika, running back Jordan Waits had 49 tough yards on 14 carries.

Following the region-opening win, Auburn (2-1) will host Enterprise on September 12. Opelika (2-1) will look to bounce back in region play when they host the JAG Jaguars.