It was the case that Andalusia Bulldogs and the Anniston Bulldogs were again in competition following their thrilling playoff game in the previous season. However, any hope Anniston could have of revenge scuttled.
The game remained close through the first half, with Andalusia having a lead of 7-0 in the locker room however, in the second half the Bulldogs played well throughout the game to win to win 39-0.
Andalusia The Head Coach Trent Taylor credited his coaching team for their changes following the first half was tense and applauded the defensive efforts of the team.
“The coaches did an excellent job of making adjustments offensively. The most important thing was that the defense was the entire night in a blaze of lights,” Taylor said.
Andalusia was the first team to receive the kickoff, and then pushed the ball forward behind Zerrick Jones and J’Marion Burnette and Zerrick Jones. The highlight of the drive took place on the fourth-and-one, when Burnette ran through players at the line and ran 33 yards, which brought him to an Anniston 16,025-yard mark. From there, Jones was able to take four consecutive hand-offs, before striking the goal line at three yards. Cobb Stewart’s point after gave Andalusia 7-0 lead after 7:38 in the opening.
Anniston’s next drive was able to cross the midfield line however the Andalusia defense slowed and forced the punt.
The second quarter began and Anniston got a break in the second half when an Andalusia punt sailed off a lineman, and then back into the arms one Anniston player who threw the ball and allowed Andalusia to snag it on 45 yards. At fourth-and-five, Jacob Sellers broke through to take out the Anniston quarterback, giving Andalusia possession of the ball at their own 45. However, the rest of the game included a number of punt exchanges.
The first score in the second half came from a second punt. The team was backed up by the 9-yard line of their own Anniston’s shot slid from the side of the punter’s feet for a few yards and then bounced back to the Andalusia end zone, where Xavier Marshall landed on it for the goal. Stewart’s point after gave Andalusia a lead of 14-0 early in the second half.
After a three-and-1 by defense at home Bulldog defense The offense seized control just before midfield. An uncharacteristic 14-yard run from Kal Crittenden proved to be the most important game of the drive, which was completed with a field goal of 31 yards by Stewart which increased the lead of Andalusia to 17-0.
Andalusia could add a third score on their next possession that started with a 34 yard passing to Jack Lathrop to Crittenden. Burnette ran ahead to gain an 8-yard gain before the 14. After the flag was raised and a quick game that ended in a loss Lathrop was able to find Brunson Wilson in the open field, who ran the ball to score. A two-point conversion was sufficient to bring the score to 25-0.
A short kick by Anniston caused Anniston to set Andalusia on the way to scoring with possession on 19,025 yards. Burnette received the ball in five consecutive plays, scoring three yards which gave the team an advantage of 32-0 with 9:28 left.
Andalusia was able to score another goal later in the fourth period to end the match at 39-0.
The Bulldogs are now at 2-0 for the season open the season next week as they take on Dale County (1-1).
The article BOLLDO DEFENSE DEALS SUTOUT After a tight initial half, Andalusia pulls away for victory 39-0 was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
