The No. 5-ranked Andalusia Bulldogs (3-1) are eager to get back to action this week as they take on Class 4A, Region 1 opponent Escambia County (1-2) for homecoming Friday night in Andalusia.

“They are just like a lot of the Atmore teams from the past,” Andalusia head coach Trent Taylor said. “They are athletic, big up front and they have a quarterback that can throw from one side of the stadium to the other. It’s not who you typically want for a homecoming opponent.”

Coming off a tough region loss to UMS-Wright last Friday night, Taylor said the Bulldogs are eager to get back to action.

“That’s the tough thing about our sport,” Taylor said. “We only get to play once a week. After a game like Friday, you just want to hurry up and get back out there. I felt like we really came in this week eager to get back after it.”

Taylor said that the Bulldogs have had a good week of practice.

“It’s been a good week so far,” Taylor said. “Monday was a really good day. Everyone came in a really came in a put to their nose to the ground. Homecoming is a really special time of year, but we still have to focus what our job is on Friday night.”

Last Friday, Jamal Hourel was used sparingly as he is still dealing with an ankle injury, but senior Zack Woods has stepped up and filled in nicely for Hourel.

“He has really been a blessing,” Taylor said of Woods. “Talk about a guy who has been playing one position for a long time and then just switches to another position when we needed him. He has really stepped up and done a great job this past two weeks. He is a guy who is going to continue to have a big role even when other guys get healthy.”

Andalusia and Escambia County are scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m., Friday in Andalusia.