Last Friday night's loss to the Jackson Aggies has the Andalusia Bulldogs in need of a victory with a road game against Class 4A, Region 1 foe Hillcrest-Evergreen looming on the horizon.

The Bulldogs travel to Evergreen on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. game against the Hillcrest Jaguars.

The game is of critical importance for both squads.

The Bulldogs are currently 3-3 overall this season and 2-2 in region play. The Jags are 4-2 overall and also 2-2 in region play.

The two squads are tied for fourth place in the region standings and the winner of Friday night's contest will have a much better chance of advancing to the state playoffs.

Andalusia Head Coach Paul Woolley said the game against the Jags is "tremendously important."

"It is almost a must-win game if we want to go to the playoffs," Woolley said.

The Bulldogs came back from Jackson and looked good in practice on Monday, but left a lot to be desired on Tuesday, Woolley said.

However, Woolley said he expected a good practice on Wednesday.

Hillcrest has a strong team that plays the same physical brand of football the Bulldogs saw last week in Jackson, Woolley said.

He also said the Jags "have a good defensive football team" and the "defense is better than their offense."

Woolley said the key for the Bulldogs will be controlling the line of scrimmage on Friday.

"What we have to do is just man up and block," Woolley said.