The Callaway varsity football team will host Opelika in a home non-conference game today at 7 p.m. in Hogansville, Georgia. Fans can expect an action-packed evening as the Cavaliers take the field, determined to showcase their skill, teamwork, and competitive spirit while defending their home turf against a strong Alabama opponent.
Here’s what you need to know:
- What: Alabama High School Football
- Who: Callaway vs Opelika
- When: Friday, August 28, 2025
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network
Callaway vs Opelika: High School Football Non-Conference Showdown
The Alabama and Georgia high school football spotlight turns to Callaway Stadium in Hogansville, Georgia, as the Callaway Cavaliers host the Opelika Bulldogs in a non-conference clash on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 7 p.m. The game sets up an intriguing matchup between two programs on different trajectories early in the season.
Game Information
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Matchup: Opelika (AL) at Callaway (GA)
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Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
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Time: 7:00 p.m.
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Location: Callaway Stadium, Hogansville, Georgia
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Game Type: Non-conference
This contest pairs an Opelika squad that opened its season with a win against a Callaway team still searching for its first victory. Both teams enter with something to prove—Opelika aiming to build momentum and Callaway looking to rebound after a difficult start.
Team Records and Rankings
Opelika Bulldogs
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Overall Record: 1-0
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Home Record: 1-0
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Away Record: 0-0
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Points For: 25
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Points Against: 20
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National Ranking: 314
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Alabama Ranking: 12
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Class Ranking: 7
Opelika’s season-opening win was hard-fought but showcased their offensive balance and defensive resilience. Ranked 12th in Alabama and 314th nationally, the Bulldogs are positioned as one of the stronger programs in their state.
Callaway Cavaliers
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Overall Record: 0-1
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Home Record: 0-1
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Away Record: 0-0
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Points For: 17
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Points Against: 40
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National Ranking: 1,477
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Georgia Ranking: 121
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Class Ranking: 13
Callaway enters this matchup on the heels of a tough loss, surrendering 40 points while managing 17 of their own. Despite the rocky start, the Cavaliers will look to regroup quickly in front of their home crowd and use this game as a measuring stick against a talented Alabama opponent.
Scoring Trends
Opelika Bulldogs
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1st Quarter Average: 6 points
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2nd Quarter Average: 13 points
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3rd Quarter Average: 0 points
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4th Quarter Average: 6 points
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Game Average: 25 points
Opelika shows strong starts, particularly in the first half, with 19 combined points in the opening two quarters. Their offensive rhythm slows in the third quarter, but they regain control late.
Callaway Cavaliers
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Game Average: 17 points
Callaway’s offensive production is limited to 17 points so far, with no clear quarter-by-quarter breakdown available. This leaves questions about consistency and late-game performance.
Team Leaders and Standouts
Opelika Bulldogs
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CJ Johnson (#3): Team rushing leader with 56 yards per game, providing reliable ground production.
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Colby Key (#5): Quarterback standout with 171 passing yards per game and 168 total yards per game, driving Opelika’s offensive success.
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Dre Vann (#18): Leading receiver with 47 yards per game, giving Key a dependable target.
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Tremaine Thomas (#90): Defensive force averaging 8 tackles per game and 3 sacks per game, anchoring the Bulldogs’ defense.
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Darius Whitlow (#75): Offensive line leader with 6 pancake blocks, showcasing strength in the trenches.
Callaway Cavaliers
Currently, Callaway has no individual player statistics reported in comparison with Opelika’s detailed leaders. This makes it difficult to pinpoint standout contributors, but the Cavaliers will need both offensive execution and defensive improvement to compete with Opelika’s balanced attack.
Key Storylines
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Momentum vs. Recovery: Opelika enters with momentum after a victory, while Callaway searches for answers following a loss.
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Quarterback Leadership: Colby Key’s passing and decision-making will be a crucial factor for Opelika’s offense.
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Defensive Matchups: Can Callaway contain defensive leaders like Tremaine Thomas, who has already shown dominance up front?
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Home-Field Factor: Callaway hopes their home stadium will give them an edge against a disciplined opponent.
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Alabama vs. Georgia Pride: Beyond records, this matchup carries state bragging rights as a Georgia host challenges a top Alabama contender.
Keys to Victory
Opelika Bulldogs
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Maintain offensive balance with both rushing and passing production.
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Continue strong defensive play, anchored by Tremaine Thomas, to disrupt Callaway’s rhythm.
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Build an early lead, leveraging strong first-half scoring patterns.
Callaway Cavaliers
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Protect the football and avoid turnovers against an opportunistic Opelika defense.
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Establish an offensive identity, whether through the run game or quick passing plays.
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Make defensive adjustments to limit explosive plays and reduce points allowed.
What’s at Stake
For Opelika, a win would keep them undefeated and solidify their reputation as a top-15 team in Alabama. Success on the road against an out-of-state opponent also strengthens their national ranking.
For Callaway, this game is about resilience. A bounce-back performance would restore confidence after a rough opener and demonstrate the Cavaliers’ ability to compete against high-level competition.
Final Thoughts
The Callaway vs Opelika matchup highlights the excitement of early-season high school football. Opelika enters with clear strengths in both offensive and defensive categories, led by quarterback Colby Key and linebacker Tremaine Thomas, while Callaway looks for redemption after a tough start.
Although Opelika appears favored based on statistics and recent form, the unpredictable nature of high school football means Callaway cannot be counted out. A determined home team, fueled by crowd support, could make this a tighter contest than the numbers suggest.
As fans gather under the lights at Callaway Stadium, the game promises competitive energy, standout performances, and the kind of intensity that defines Alabama vs Georgia high school football rivalries.
