A fast start stalled and an early lead disappeared for the Andalusia Bulldogs when the visiting UMS-Wright Bulldogs took advantage of turnovers to earn a 43-14 victory last night in a Class 4A, Region 1 football contest.

Andalusia jumped on top, scoring a touchdown on a

two-play drive after winning the toss and electing to receive the opening kickoff.

UMS-Wright's defense was offsides on first down to give Andalusia a first-and-five situation at the 37-yard line. Kevin Dohoney ran for a one-yard gain on first down. Then, the Bulldogs went to the air and junior quarterback C.T. Eldridge hit Neal Patterson for a 62-yard touchdown play. David Kyle's PAT attempt was off the mark, but Andalusia held an early 6-0 edge.

Andalusia remained in front until the second quarter when UMS-Wright scored three touchdowns, including two off turnovers.

UMS-Wright's first score was a 20-yard touchdown pass from Taylor Atchison to Ashley Wright. Taylor McMullen tacked on the PAT and UMS-Wright was on top 7-6 with 10:34 left to play in the first half.

UMS-Wright scored again with 5:51 remaining in the first half when Wright recovered an Andalusia fumble in the end zone. The Bulldogs faced fourth down and sent Daniel Wall in to punt.

A low snap, however, got past the punter and he attempted to pull a Lane Bearden and kick it out the back of the end zone for a safety. The pigskin, however, skipped into the end zone and stopped where Wright pounced on it for a touchdown. McMullen added the PAT and UMS-Wright was out in front 14-6.

The UMS-Wright Bulldogs capitalized on another Andalusia turnover less than three minutes later when Forress Rayford intercepted a pass and raced 56 yards for a touchdown. A 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty was stepped off against UMS-Wright after the score and McMullen missed the long PAT attempt. UMS-Wright, however, had increased the lead to 20-6 with 3:13 remaining in the first half.

Evan Maisel intercepted another Eldridge pass with about two minutes left to play in the first half and returned the ball to the 32-yard line where the UMS-Wright offense took over possession.

The turnover resulted in a touchdown seven plays later when Wright caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Atchison. McMullen's PAT was good and the UMS-Wright Bulldogs held a 27-6 lead.

The Andalusia Bulldogs came out in the second half inspired and scored on their first possession of the second half after forcing UMS-Wright to go three and out.

The Andalusia Bulldogs pieced together a 15-play drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown run by Richard Justice. The two-point conversion was good when Justice soared over the middle of the pile and into the end zone to cut the UMS-Wright lead to 27-14 with 4:03 left to play in the third quarter.

The UMS-Wright Bulldogs, however, scored 16 points in the fourth quarter for a 43-14 win. McMullen booted a 29-yard field goal with 10:31 left to play in the fourth quarter to make the score 30-14.

Hunter Jones scored on a 40-yard interception return to add to UMS-Wright's lead. The two-point attempt failed, but UMS-Wright held a 36-14 lead with 9:39 left to play.

Milan Williams scored the final touchdown of the game when he ran the ball across the goal line from 12 yards out with 4:07 left in the game. Andrew Friedman added the PAT for a 43-14 lead.

The lead held up with UMS-Wright recording a 43-14 win.

Andalusia is on the road next week when the Bulldogs travel to Brewton to take on the T.R. Miller Tigers.

UMS-Wright travels to Robertsdale next Friday night.