No. 10 Opelika Upsets No. 4 Auburn 31-28 to Reach First Class 7A State Title Game

AUBURN, AL – The 10th-ranked Opelika Bulldogs stunned their arch-rivals, No. 4 Auburn, with a 31-28 victory at Duck Samford Stadium on Friday night. The win propels Opelika to the Super 7 Championships for the first time in program history as a Class 7A team.

Head coach Bryan Moore’s squad secured the victory through a series of explosive special teams plays and a dominant rushing performance. The Bulldogs (10-3) now prepare to face defending champion Thompson in the state finals, while Auburn concludes its season at 10-3.

First Half Fireworks

Opelika wasted no time seizing momentum. On the game’s second play from scrimmage, Xavier Thomas intercepted Auburn quarterback JD Pate and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bulldogs an early 7-0 lead.

Auburn responded midway through the first quarter. Defensive tackle Carnell Jackson powered into the end zone on a 2-yard run with 5:16 remaining to tie the game.

The Bulldogs regained the lead late in the opening period when Blake Johnson scored on a 1-yard plunge with 1:24 on the clock. Auburn fought back in the second quarter, knotting the score at 14-14 when Cason Myers connected with Levi Kelly for a 16-yard touchdown pass with 7:52 left in the half.

However, Opelika immediately reclaimed the momentum. Just 10 seconds after Auburn’s score, senior CJ Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, putting the Bulldogs back on top.

Bulldogs Hold Off Late Rally

In the third quarter, Opelika extended its lead to 24-14. Reese Beasley, perfect on extra points for the night, drilled a 30-yard field goal with 1:38 remaining in the period.

CJ Johnson struck again early in the fourth quarter, breaking free for a 57-yard touchdown run at the 11:14 mark. This score gave Opelika a comfortable buffer, which proved necessary as Auburn mounted a furious comeback attempt.

Myers led the Tigers back with two rushing touchdowns in the final frame—a 6-yard run with 8:16 to play and a 9-yard scamper with 1:44 remaining—narrowing the gap to 31-28.

With the game on the line, CJ Johnson delivered one final blow. The senior broke loose for a 50-yard run with just over a minute left, allowing the Bulldogs to run out the clock and seal the rivalry win.

Statistical Leaders

• Opelika Rushing: CJ Johnson anchored the offense with 22 carries for 178 yards and a touchdown.
• Opelika Passing: Sophomore quarterback Whit Cooper completed 10 of 11 passes for 109 yards.
• Opelika Receiving: Aundray Vann led the receiving corps with two catches for 61 yards.
• Auburn Offense: Cason Myers finished 24-of-32 passing for 245 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He added 49 rushing yards and two scores on 16 carries. Josh Askew hauled in nine catches for 79 yards, while Levi Kelly added five receptions for 51 yards and a score.

Up Next: The Super 7

This victory marks a historic milestone for Opelika. While the program reached the state finals in 2012 and 2016 (falling to Hoover and Ramsay, respectively), this is their first championship appearance in the state’s highest classification.

The Bulldogs will look to claim the first state title in their 108-year history when they take on the Thompson Warriors. The Class 7A State Championship kicks off Wednesday, December 3, at 7:00 PM at Protective Stadium in Birmingham.