The Andalusia Junior High School Bulldogs gave an all-out effort, but came up just short in a 22-20 loss to the T.R. Miller Tigers Thursday night in Andalusia.

“I’m extremely proud of these young men,” Andalusia Junior High head coach John Dugger said. “A couple of big plays killed us, but I promise you we are going to get better because these kids are going to continue to work at it.”

After forcing a punt from Andalusia to start the contest, T.R. Miller began to drive down the field, but a stingy Bulldog defense forced a turnover on downs.

Chip Morgan and Noah Gooden came up with a big hit in the back field to help force the turnover on downs.

On the Tigers next possession, a big hit by the Bulldog defense forced and fumble that Andalusia’s Trace Kilpatrick recovered.

Andalusia needed just one play to score as Jake Wilson connected with Caleb Blackston for a 23-yard touchdown pass. The extra point failed, but the Bulldogs were on top 6-0.

T.R. Miller promptly answered with a 73-yard touchdown on the ensuing kickoff. The Tigers added a two-point conversion to take an 8-6 lead.

The Tigers regained possession of the ball after an Andalusia punt, and added another touchdown on 50-yard scoring drive.

T.R. Miller benefited on a generous spot on third down play to set up a fourth-and-one.

The Tigers picked up 6 yards on a quarterback keeper to keep the drive alive.

Four plays later, T.R. Miller punched one in from 5 yards out to take a 14-6 lead with 1:00 left in the opening half.

The Bulldogs opened up the second half with a perfectly executed onside kick from Wilson. Tay Rodgers pounced on the ball to give Andalusia possession of the football, however, the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs.

Andalusia forced a punt from T.R. Miller and Ramone Smith gave the Bulldogs a solid return in Tiger territory.

Brandon Gurley needed just one play to rumble in from 40 yards out. The two-point conversion came up just short, and the Bulldogs trailed 14-12 with 7:45 left in the contest.

On the ensuing kick, Wilson placed another perfect onside kick that allowed the Bulldogs’ Jaheim Bonam to recover the ball.

The Bulldogs began driving down the field, but a T.R. Miller played stripped the ball away from a Bulldog back and went 60 yards to the end zone. The two-point conversion gave T.R. Miller a 22-12 lead with 6:13 left.

The Bulldogs never gave up and Gurley added a 17-yard touchdown run, and then went in for the two-point conversion to make the score 22-20 with 28 seconds left on the clock.

Wilson placed another solid onside kick attempt, but this time T.R. Miller pounced on the ball and was able to kneel the ball to run out the rest of the clock.

The Bulldogs will be back in action on Sept. 15 when they travel to take on Beverlye Junior High.