State of the Program - Opelika (AL)

Coaching Staff:

Lee Simpson 1st year at Opelika 11 years total coaching

  • Chase Campbell

  • Sam Cleveland

2023 Recap:

  • Finished 12th at the 7A Traditional State Tournament

Individuals:

  • Deandre Manora jr. - SQ at 113

  • Brady Campbell - State Champion at 145

  • Denarvious Anderson - SQ at 138

  • Tommie Johnson - SQ at 170

  • Brandon Denson - SQ at 195

  • Kyle Epperson - SQ at 220

  • Brayden Wilson - 5th at 132

  • Trace Gaither - SQ at 152

  • Recavien Howell - SQ at 182

Graduated:

2023-2024

Returners (Grade):

  • 113 Deandre Manora (9)

  • 126 Derrick Hoyett (12)

  • 132 Brayden Wilson (12)

  • 138 Trell Anderson (11)

  • 150-157 Brady Campbell (11)

  • 150-157 Trace Gaither (12)

  • 165-175 Tommie Johnson

  • 175 KK Howell

  • 215 Kyle Epperson (11)

The Dawgs are junior and senior heavy and have picked up new head Coach Lee Simpson from Hardaway High School in Columbus, GA. With the crew they have returning, Coach Simpson and Coach Campbell are excited and ready to shake up the preseason rankings. The Bulldogs qualified nine for the 2023 7A State Tournament and all of them return hunting a spot on the podium. Meaning Opelika is certainly a team to watch in 23-24. Returning State Champion Brady Campbell and senior State Placer Brayden Wilson should lead the charge. But if Opelika is going to climb into the top 5 in 7A they will need their returning qualifiers to make some noise. Manora, Anderson, Gaither, Johnson, Howell, and Epperson all punched their ticket a year ago, but none was able to take that next step in Huntsville. The potential is there for the Bulldogs to have a very good team in 2024 … Campbell and Wilson will both look to climb back onto the podium, but how high the team climbs will likely come down to how well the rest of the lineup competes. - SEWrestle

Jason FulmoreComment