Isn’t it obvious that coupled with Andalusia’s impressive running attack on offense, the Bulldogs’ defense has carried them to clutch wins this season?

Last week, even though allowing 219 yards on defense, it was clearly evident that Andalusia’s defense helped in its 10-0 win over rival Straughn.

You may ask why I think Andalusia’s defense has helped the Bulldogs be so successful this season?

Well, the numbers don’t lie.

Sixty-one.

That’s how many points Andalusia has allowed on defense this season so far, and that includes the 27 points during region play. Straughn is second at 123 points against for the season, and has allowed 84 points against region opponents.

Andalusia defeated then fourth-ranked Straughn on a field goal (on offense) and a fumble recovery (on defense) to complete its third shutout this season.

The last time Andalusia came anywhere near that feat was in 2007, when the Bulldogs did it against Opp and Straughn. Opp was in the same classification and region as Andalusia, and Straughn was in Class 3A.

Mind you, that was the same year Andalusia made it all the way to the third round of the state playoffs with the help of former AHS stand out and current Alabama linebacker Nico Johnson.

In addition, Andalusia won the region championship that year. This week, the Bulldogs will be vying for the region title against Ashford.

A clear example of how the defense has carried Andalusia would be in week six against Hillcrest-Evergreen. The Bulldogs’ defense stepped up and made clutch plays at the end of the game to hold the Jaguars to 14 points in their six-point win.

So far this season, Andalusia has paved its way through the regular season, defeating Carroll-Ozark 35-12, Alabama Christian 14-0, St. James 42-13, Bullock County 47-0, Hillcrest-Evergreen and then Straughn last week. The Bulldogs’ only loss came to Class 3A powerhouse, T.R. Miller in week five. Andalusia lost, 22-6.

The Bulldogs are sitting at 5-0 in Class 4A, Region 2, the same as Ashford.

Andalusia and Ashford, who have already clinched playoff berths, are occupying the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the region standings after week seven. Ninth-ranked Straughn is at the No. 3 spot right now, and Hillcrest-Evergreen is battling with Headland for the No. 4 spot.

But, the region seeding picture won’t be clear until 12 a.m., Saturday morning, when week eight ends, and week nine begins.

With two region games to go, and three games left in the regular season; can Andalusia’s defense hold out and help lead the Bulldogs to a 9-1 regular season record?

After the Opp game on Oct. 29, it will be obvious.