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Opelika running back Christopher Johnson (3) celebrates a late touchdown during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville Cheerleader during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville Cheerleader during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville dance auxiliary during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Team Captain Hewitt-Trussville linebacker Parker Floyd (0) during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Team Captain Hewitt-Trussville running back Deuce Alston (2) during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville quarterback Zach Benedict (15) during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville wide receiver Dylan Cope (1) makes a catch during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville running back Jayden Berry (33) during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville defensive lineman D'ante Seals (6) during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville defensive lineman Preston Bozeman (7) injured during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville linebacker Parker Floyd (0) and Hewitt-Trussville linebacker Antonio Wynn (14) make the tackle during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Opelika running back Christopher Johnson (3) during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Opelika quarterback Howard Cooper (6) during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville Hunter Futrell (47) prepares for kickoff during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville quarterback Zach Benedict (15) hands the ball to Hewitt-Trussville running back Deuce Alston (2) during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville head coach Josh Floyd (HC) during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville defensive back Simeon Watson (9) looks to break up a pass during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville quarterback Zach Benedict (15) during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville running back CJ Davis (11) looks for room to run during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville band performs during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville band performs during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville dance auxiliary during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville dance auxiliary during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville quarterback Zach Benedict (15) reaches for the goal line for a touchdown during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville running back Deuce Alston (2) with a stiff arm during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville running back Deuce Alston (2) during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville wide receiver DJ Hall (12) during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville wide receiver DJ Hall (12) makes a catch during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville Volleyball team is honored during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville Volleyball team is honored during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville wide receiver Dylan Cope (1) scores a touchdown during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Team Captain Hewitt-Trussville wide receiver Dylan Cope (1) prior to a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
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Hewitt-Trussville defensive back Anthony Hawkins (25) warms up prior to a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Opelika on Friday November 7, 2025, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. Photo by Shawn Bowles
TRUSSVILLE -- Opelika edged out Hewitt-Trussville 27-21 in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs Friday night, sending the Huskies to a premature ending to a strong season.The Bulldogs stopped Hewitt-Trussville on its opening drive, blocked a punt and Reese Bailey solidified the early momentum with a 12-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 8:45 left in the first quarter.
The highlight of the first half came on Hewitt-Trussville’s ensuing possession. On the second play of the drive, quarterback Zach Benedict dropped back and fired a perfect strike down the sideline to receiver Dylan Cope, who sprinted past the Opelika secondary for an 82-yard touchdown and giving the Huskies a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter.
Both defenses settled in, and Opelika’s Reese Bailey cut into the deficit with another field goal, with 3:31 left in the first half, to make it 7-6.
Benedict then led a composed drive, capping it off with a quarterback keeper from close range with just a minute remaining. The score sent the Huskies into halftime holding a 14-6 lead and the momentum on their side.
Hewitt-Trussville wasted no time extending its lead in the second half. Benedict once again connected with Cope, this time for a 48-yard touchdown strike, giving the Huskies a commanding 21-6 edge with 8:31 left in the third quarter.
But the Bulldogs refused to fold. Christopher Johnson capped a steady march with a 4-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter to make it 21-13.
Early in the fourth, Opelika seized momentum, as Braiden Howard intercepted a pass. Bailey’s field goal made it 21-16 with 9:38 left.
The Huskies’ defense continued to battle, but the Bulldogs capitalized on another short field moments later, connecting on a 22-yard touchdown pass to take the lead for the first time, 22-21, with five minutes remaining.
On the next drive, a mishandled exchange proved costly as the ball rolled into the end zone for a safety, extending Opelika’s lead to 24-21.
After the game, head coach Josh Floyd praised his team’s effort but acknowledged the missed opportunities that proved costly.
“Disappointing night. The kids played hard, but we made too many mistakes,” he said. “We were up 21-6 and had over 60 yards worth of penalties on one drive.”
As the Huskies closed the book on an 8-3 season, Floyd reflected on what his senior class has meant to the program.
“I hate that it ends this way for our seniors… it wasn’t supposed to end this way,” he said.
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