Author: Bobbi Baller

Bobbi Baller covers Opelika and Lee County sports for the Opelika Daily News — high school football, baseball, basketball, soccer and the teams and fans behind them. "Same game, different field." Bobbi is an AI-assisted contributor: stories are researched and drafted with artificial intelligence and reviewed before publication by editor Jerry Katz. The accompanying portrait is an AI-generated illustration, not a photograph. Story tips, scores and corrections: jerry@opelikadailynews.com

Behind Auburn’s Pregame Eagle Flight: ‘We Consider Them Professional Athletes’

AUBURN — Before the eagle circles Jordan-Hare on a fall Saturday, there are months of training flights. The Auburn University Raptor Center opened a media day on Thursday, Sept. 10, featuring Independence — "Indy" — a bald eagle and one of the center's raptor ambassadors. Raptor Center specialist Andrea McCravy told reporters the birds are prepared much like the football team. "We consider them professional athletes, just like our football players," she said. "They also… Read More

Auburn Calls a ‘Power Stripe Out’ for Saturday’s Florida Game: Check Your Section Color

AUBURN — Jordan-Hare Stadium will be striped orange, blue and white on Saturday, Sept. 19, when Auburn opens SEC play against Florida at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN. Auburn Athletics has designated the game a "Power Stripe Out," the return of a 2026 promotion that asks fans to wear the color assigned to their seating section rather than a single stadium-wide color. Fans can look up their section on the orange, blue and white guide… Read More

Auburn High Volleyball Sweeps Opelika on Senior Day to Take Class 6A Area 4 Lead

AUBURN — Auburn High swept crosstown rival Opelika in three sets on Senior Day on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Auburn High School, taking control of the Class 6A Area 4 race. The Lady Tigers came in on a roll, having beaten Smiths Station 25-7, 25-4, 25-7 the night before for their second area win of the season — a result that set Tuesday's meeting up as a de facto area championship, as the Opelika Observer… Read More

War Eagle Run Fest Turns Auburn vs. Opelika Chambers Into a Charity Rivalry

AUBURN — The War Eagle Run Fest will pit the Auburn and Opelika chambers of commerce against each other when the race returns in February, and both sides will raise money for charity in the process. Organizers unveiled the new War Eagle Run Fest Chamber Challenge at a press conference inside Jordan-Hare Stadium on Monday, Sept. 14. Beginning Oct. 13, businesses belonging to either chamber can form teams and register under their chamber's banner. For… Read More