PREP CAPSULES: Opelika defense faces challenge from Vigor offensive line

Editor’s Note: This is the final in a series of stories previewing tonight’s high school football games.

Spence McCracken reflects back on the 2005 season when his Bulldogs trekked up to Birmingham to face Huffman.

That Huffman team had an impressive offensive line — none more impressive than a highly-rated senior named Andre Smith.

Smith became the nation’s most sought-after recruit that year before embarking on a stellar career at Alabama.

This season, McCracken sees a big similarity — literally — as No. 5 Opelika (4-0) prepares to host Class 5A’s No. 4-ranked team, Vigor.

Except there’s a slight difference.

“Vigor has five Andre Smiths,” Opelika’s veteran coach said.

When Opelika hosts Vigor tonight in Bulldog Stadium, the Bulldogs’ defense will face an offensive line that averages 311 pounds across the front.

That line helped pave the way for running back Ken Houston’s 352-yard, three touchdown night last week against Gulf Shores.

“This will be the best team we’ve played up to date,” McCracken said. “It’s not a Region game, but it’s still important we play well.

“On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d say Vigor is a 9.55 — they’re a quality team with a lot of size and speed.”

Opelika’s defense has been solid in four outings, allowing just 68 rushing yards per game and 127 total yards per game.

Josh Rowe leads the defense with 39 total tackles.

On offense the Bulldogs have been led by junior tailback Corey Grant, who has electrified fans early in the year with his speed and elusiveness.

Last week in a 21-13 win over Enterprise, he accounted for all three of the Bulldogs’ touchdowns — runs of 69 and 65 yards and a 90-yard punt return.

“The difference in the game last week was Corey Grant,” McCracken said. “We had three big plays that we wouldn’t have had without him on the field.”

Jeff Davis (0-4) at Auburn (4-0)
Auburn High has a great chance to continue its stellar start to the season.

Jeff Davis, like many of the other Montgomery schools with state-power history, has fallen on hard times.

The Volunteers are 0-4 for the first time in school history (since 1968).

Auburn, on the other hand, hasn’t started a season 4-0 since 1999.

Last week in the Tigers’ 36-14 win over Northview, quarterback Calvin Jenkins accounted for five touchdowns — three on the ground and two passing.

Kendrick, Ga. (0-3) at Smiths Station (4-0)
Columbus, Ga., has certainly put out some stellar football teams in the past few years.

But Kendrick hasn’t been one of them.

The Cherokees haven’t had a winning season in 12 years.

This should serve as a tune up for the unbeaten Panthers as they prepare for the meat of their schedule in the following weeks.

Central (3-1) at Stanhope-Elmore (3-1)
After suffering a tough — and unexpected — loss two weeks ago to Northview, Central seemed to take some frustration out on Russell County.

Last week the Red Devils hammered the Warriors, 49-18.

Stanhope poses a much tougher challenge.

Last week the Mustangs took out Shaw (Ga.), 24-21.

In the opening week of the season, Central beat that same Shaw team, 33-32.