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The best of the best in Alabama High
School Football over the past 100 seasons.

Opelika Football Team History

Opelika Bulldogs

Opelika High School

1700 LaFayette Pkwy. Opelika, AL 36801
Stadium: Bulldog Stadium
Colors: Red, Black & White
Coach: Spence McCracken
Region: 6A-R7

Select Year:

1917 <-- 1996 <- 1997 -> 1998 --> 2024

1997 Season Highlights

Spence McCracken enters his 3rd season as Head Coach at Opelika.

The Bulldogs finished 3rd in Region 7.

1997 Season

Date	Opponent	Score
Fri., Sep. 5	vs. Kendrick GA	42	9	W
Fri., Sep. 12	@ B.T. Washington	42	12	W
Fri., Sep. 19	vs. Prattville	19	14	W
Fri., Sep. 26	vs. Valley	42	12	W
Fri., Oct. 3	vs. Lee Montgomery	17	14	W
Fri., Oct. 10	@ Carver Montgomery	41	8	W
Fri., Oct. 17	vs. Talladega	23	0	W
Fri., Oct. 24	@ Benjamin Russell *	15	23	L
Fri., Oct. 31	@ Central Phenix City *	0	14	L
Fri., Nov. 7	vs. Auburn *	37	0	W

1997 Season Totals
Record	8-2
Points Scored	278
Scoring Average	27.8
Points Allowed	106
Defense Average	10.6
Opponents Record	48-55
Region Record	1-2
Home Record	6-0
Away Record	2-2

1997 Class 6A Rankings
Date	Week	Rank	Record	Votes	Source
9/18/1997	2	10	(2-0)		ASWA
9/25/1997	3	10	(3-0)		ASWA
10/2/1997	4	8	(4-0)		ASWA
10/9/1997	5	7	(5-0)		ASWA
10/16/1997	6	5	(6-0)		ASWA
10/23/1997	7	4	(7-0)		ASWA

1997 Class 6A Region 7 Standings
	Regular Season			Playoffs			Region/Area Record
Team	W/L/T	PF	PA	W/L/T	PF	PA	W/L/T	PF	PA	Coach
Central Phenix City	10-2	286	108	2-1	46	31	3-0	72	15	Wayne Trawick
Benjamin Russell	12-3	397	205	4-1	111	112	2-1	54	38	Phil Lazenby
Opelika	8-2	278	106				1-2	52	37	Spence McCracken
Auburn	1-9	127	269				0-3	34	102	Bill McCall

1997 Player Awards
Player	Position	Class	Ht.	Wt.	Award	Team	Source
Alex Dowdell	DB	Sr.	5-11	190	All-Star Game
Rex Story	OL	Sr.	6-3	267	AL-MS Game
Rex Story	OL	Sr.	6-2	257	Super All-State		Bham News
Stanley Harris	DL	Sr.	6-2	245	AL-MS Game

1997 All State Players
Player	Position	Class	Ht.	Wt.	Team	Source
Alex Dowdell	DB	Sr.			HM	BN
Alex Dowdell	ATH	Sr.			HM	ASWA
Alex Dowdell	DL	Sr.			HM	ASWA
Rex Story	OL	Sr.	6-3	260	1st	ASWA
Rex Story	OL	Sr.	6-2	257	1st	BN

Some records may be incomplete. We have chosen to publish this information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting us to complete every school.
Join us in the forums to submit corrections and new information.

Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History

Luverne 'Toad' Wise was the first female football player in Alabama and may have been the first in the country. She was a kicker for the Escambia County Blue Devils in 1939-40.