Opelika shuts down Stanhope Elmore, advances to second round

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If defense wins championships, then Opelika is heading in the right direction.

Opelika’s defense shut down Stanhope Elmore’s potent offense, limiting the visiting Mustangs to just 220 total yards of offense.

But the biggest number of the night was six — the number of turnovers the seventh-ranked Bulldogs forced in a 45-20 victory over Stanhope in the opening round of the Class 6A playoffs.

With the victory, Opelika moves on to the second round next Friday at top-ranked Prattville.

“We focused all week and had a great gameplan, and executed it,” senior linebacker Josh Rowe said.

“Two weeks ago (the loss to Auburn) was put behind us, and we were just focused on this game being a do-or-die. We weren’t ready to go home yet.”

Opelika (8-2) helped cause six fumbles, four of which the Bulldogs recovered with one going for a touchdown. Combined with two interceptions, it proved to be a defensive performance unlike one head coach Spence McCracken has seen in quite some time.

“That’s just wonderful,” McCracken said, unaware his defense had forced six turnovers. “I know we haven’t done something like that in a long time.”

Opelika’s offense also did its fair share.

The Bulldogs rolled up 360 yards of offense and held a commanding, 38-14 lead late in the third.

Junior Corey Grant had a big night, rushing for 93 yards on 12 carries with three touchdowns. Dae Spence added 80 yards on the ground.

Through the air, senior David Thomas completed 9-of-16 passes for 188 yards to seven different receivers with two touchdowns.

“We had a different focus tonight and played Opelika ball,” McCracken said. “We played hard, hard football and our mindset was really good.

“All these kids played hard tonight, and that was the difference.”

Opelika wasted little time jumping ahead.

Stanhope went three-and-out on its opening possession and punted to Opelika.

The Bulldogs needed just one play to score, as Thomas hooked up with Javious Hughley on a 55-yard bomb. Kent Black’s kick missed to keep the score, 6-0.

A long Stanhope drive culminated in a touchdown and a 7-6 Mustangs’ lead, but it didn’t last long.

Just three plays after Stanhope’s touchdown, Corey Grant found a seam in the middle of the defense and sped his way to a 36-yard score.

Opelika went up by 13 in the second thanks to a Stanhope fumble at its own 38.

And just like the Bulldogs’ first drive, it took one play, as Thomas hooked up with Kent Heard for the 38-yard scoring strike.

Grant added a 17-yard touchdown run with 5:37 to go before the half for the 28-7 lead before Stanhope was able to put one in the end zone at the 1:25 mark to cut into the lead.

Stanhope’s scoring drive was helped by a 31-yard gain on a fake punt down to the 25.

Opelika put things away on the opening drive of the second half, but had to recover a trick onside kick just to keep the ball.

Black nailed a 27-yard field goal to finish the drive, putting the Bulldogs up, 31-14.

Grant scored his third touchdown on a 3-yard run, but was followed by Stanhope’s Demarcus Milliner going 91 yards for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff.

Opelika’s final touchdown of the night came in dramatic fashion.

With the game well in hand with just more than a minute to play, Stanhope attempted a hook-and-ladder play.

But on the lateral, the ball tipped off the receivers hands — right to Opelika’s Justin Johnson, who returned it 45 yards for the score.

tpeavy@oanow.com | 737-2568