Opp’s varsity cheerleaders will be defending their Class 3A state championship tomorrow in the state cheer competition at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville.

The cheer squad will be performing a 2-and-a-half minute routine that includes one minute of cheering and the rest for music.

In addition to the varsity cheerleaders, the Opp Middle School squad will compete later on in the day.

“This is an (Alabama High School Athletic Association) sanctioned event,” OHS cheer sponsor Lorrie Harrison said. “My goal this year is for us to go out and perform. I just want them to do their best.”

The Lady Bobcats are no strangers to success this season. As recent as Nov. 6, the varsity cheer squad won the grand championship at the National Peanut Festival competition, winning against teams such as Dothan, New Brockton and others.

Harrison said she wants the girls to perform like they’ve practiced.

“I just want them to do what we do over and over and over at practice,” she said.

Harrison said the team’s main strengths are stunting and showing school spirit.

“They love their school,” Harrison said. “They would much rather have a pep rally and paint windows than win the state championship. That’s what it’s supposed to be about — school spirit and then competition.”

The varsity cheer squad will begin performing at precisely 10:16 a.m. The middle school squad starts at 4:35 p.m.