BY D. MARK MITCHELL

OPINION — Opelika’s postseason hopes were hanging by a thread Friday night at Bulldog Stadium — until senior defensive back Braiden Howard flipped the script. The Bulldogs were trailing 14-7 in the second half against Carver-Montgomery, when Howard intercepted a pass and returned it for a game-changing pick-six, tying the score and swinging momentum sharply in the Bulldogs’ favor. That pivotal play ignited Opelika’s comeback, culminating in a 24-14 victory over Carver to secure the No. 3 seed in Class 7A, Region 2. With the win, Opelika punched its ticket to the playoffs and will travel to face Hewitt-Trussville in the opening round on Nov. 7. At the time of Howard’s interception, the Bulldogs’ playoff chances were in serious doubt — but his heroics changed everything.

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