For the second season in a row, Opp (8-3) and Gordo (11-0) find themselves matched up in a state playoff contest at Channell-Lee Stadium. Last season it was a third round tilt, this season it’s a second round battle.

“They are a very good and sound football team,” Opp head coach Brent Hill said of Gordo. “It’s pretty obvious why they are undefeated. They are big up front and they have some talented guys all over the field.”

Last season, Gordo, led by junior 5-star (according to Rivals.com) linebacker Ben Davis, knocked the Bobcats out of the playoffs with a decisive 35-6 win.

The 6-foot-3, 240 lb., Davis is listed as the top-ranked linebacker in the state and the No. 1 overall prospect in the state. Davis is also the top-ranked linebacker in the country and the 6th overall prospect. Davis has scholarship offers from nearly every school in the country, but Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Georgia and Florida State top his list.

Davis’s father, Wayne, played at Alabama and is the all-team leading tackler in school history.

Along with Davis, the Gordo offense has also be a strong success. In 11 games, the Gordo offense has scored 494 points and their defense has given up just 166 points.

So far this season, Gordo has had just two close games with a 24-16 win over Greensboro and a 36-32 win over Aliceville.

“When they are on offense, we have to be able to control their big linemen,” Hill said. “They will come out in a spread, but they want to run the ball from the I. If things don’t work with the spread they go back to the I. They have a very good tailback and a receiver that has offers from several schools. We have to stop the run, but we can’t fall asleep in the secondary.”

In the opening round of the playoffs, Gordo knocked off Wicksburg 42-14.

The Bobcats come into the second round after eliminating Midfield last week on the road, 49-20.

Opp has also had a successful season on both sides of the ball. On offense, the Bobcats have scored 375 points and have given up just 243 points on defense.

Leading the way for the Bobcats has been standout junior quarterback Orlando Lacey.

Lacey has completed 85-of-151 passes for 1,348 yards and 15 touchdowns. Lacey has also got it done with his legs, picking up 960 yards and seven touchdowns on 159 carries.

Along with Lacey, sophomore Reggie Thompson has stepped up in a big way for the Bobcats’ offense this season. Thompson has 31 catches for 477 yards and 8 touchdowns, 30 rushes for 355 yards and four touchdowns and has completed two passes for 53 yards and two scores.

Kickoff between Opp and Gordo will be tonight at 7, at Channell-Lee Stadium in Opp.