Auburn vs. Opelika: Historic Alabama high school football rivalry reaches 100th game this week

Less than 10 miles separate Auburn High School and Opelika High School. A quick trip down I-85 will take you from one campus to the other.

Naturally, the two schools have developed a storied rivalry. The first matchup took place in 1917. This Thursday, Opelika will host the 100th game between the two.

This week’s game is, of course, ceremonious. Last month, the Opelika Public Library opened an exhibit titled “100 games. One Rivalry. A History of Opelika vs. Auburn Football.,” to commemorate the matchup. Memorabilia and banners are on display showcasing Opelika’s success throughout the years.

The rivalry has been far from one-sided, too. Entering the landmark matchup this week, Auburn leads the all-time series 49-47-3 and has won seven of the last eight games. Opelika has the record for most wins in a row with nine from 1996-2004. The last 50 meetings have been split down the middle with each team nabbing 25 wins a piece.

Auburn’s recent run of success has been far from easy. Three of its last four wins have come by just one score. That includes its 28-21 triumph at home last season, where it scored twice in the fourth quarter to escape. Running back Omar Mabson, who’s now at Auburn University, scored two touchdowns in the win last September.

Games at Bulldog Stadium in Opelika have been particularly tight as of late. The last time a game at Opelika was decided by more than one score was in 2009 when Auburn won 41-15. The Tigers’ last two road wins over the Bulldogs were by 1 and 2 points, respectively. The last time Opelika defeated Auburn was at its home field in 2019 when it won 21-13.

Playing this Thursday looks to be an homage to the first game between the two 108 years ago, as it’s the only other game in the rivalry that kicked off on a Thursday, according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society.

Auburn (1-1) enters Thursday as the No. 8 team in Alabama, per the Massey Ratings. The Tigers defeated Sarasota (Fla.) Booker 24-6 in the opening week of the season before falling 42-14 to No. 2 Vestavia Hills last week.

Opelika (2-0) checks in at No. 11 in the state after surviving Callaway (Ga.) 36-35 in overtime last week. The Bulldogs opened their campaign with a 25-20 win over Benjamin Russell.

Both teams will be paced by junior quarterbacks. Auburn’s Cason Myers transferred in this offseason and ranks as a four-star prospect, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. Opelika is led by second-year starter Colby Key, who continues to turn heads and grow as a signal-caller.

The Massey Ratings predict a 35-22 win for Auburn. However, nothing can be ruled out once the rivals hit the field on Thursday night for what will be a memorable night in one of the Yellowhammer State’s best rivalries.