THURSDAY PREPS: Opelika earns first win of the season over Lanier; Pike Road tops Carroll
Lanier running back Tacaris Bozeman is wrestled down on a tackle by Opelika’s Brenton Williams during the Bulldogs’ win on Thursday at Cramton Bowl. (Tim Gayle)
By GRAHAM DUNN
The Opelika Bulldogs got a leg up on the Class 6A, Region 2 race with a 24-7 victory over Sidney Lanier at Cramton Bowl on Thursday.
It was the first victory of the season for the Bulldogs after opening the season with two straight losses.
The Bulldogs took advantage of three Lanier turnovers, including their final score of the game on an interception and return for a touchdown by Jaden Stinson in the final quarter to put the game away.
The Poets fell behind early, 7-0, but tied the game with three minutes left in the first quarter on a Braylon Jones pass to Zariah Marks for 37 yards.
But it would the final time Lanier would cross the goal line as Opelika held the Poets offense to 47 yards of total offense in the second half.
Lanier’s Tacaris Bozeman had just 42 yards on 13 carries for the game while Jones threw for 81 yards and a score on 8-of-17 attempts.
Jamori Thomas led the Bulldogs with 100 yards on 15 carries.
Lanier (2-1, 0-1) returns to Cramton Bowl next Thursday to face Robert E. Lee while Opelika (1-2, 1-0) will be at home to face Eufaula.
Pike Road 42, Carroll-Ozark 7
OZARK – Iverson Hooks passed for 180 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for three more scores to lead Pike Road to its third win in as many games as well as an opening win in Class 5A, Region 2 on Thursday at Matthews Stadium.
Kingston Rogers had 148 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries to lead the rushing attack. Chrison Crenshaw had 86 yards receiving with a touchdown and 153 yards in total offense. The Patriots finished with 411 yards in total offense while holding Carroll to 173 yards.
Defensively, Khurtis Perry had a sack for 6 yards along with five tackles while Max Ceman had eight total tackles. Jaylan Jarrett added seven tackles and a quarterback hurry.
Pike Road (2-0, 1-0) is at home next Friday against Andalusia. Carroll (0-2, 0-1) travels to Rehobeth.