Andy faces top-10 battle
Published 12:05 am Thursday, September 29, 2016
Coming off a big non-conference win, the Class 4A No. 4-ranked Andalusia Bulldogs (4-1) prepare for a Class 4A, Region to contest with the No. 10-ranked Thomasville Tigers (3-1).
“We had a good day of practice on Wednesday,” Andalusia head coach Trent Taylor said. “The kids were moving around with a lot of energy.”
This will be the 12th meeting between the Bulldogs and the Tigers with Thomasville leading the series 7-4.
Andalusia won the last game between the two squads 20-17 in 2013.
The Bulldogs come into the game off a big rivalry win over Opp. The Bulldogs topped the Bobcats 37-14 in the interclass match up.
“This will be our first real test coming off an emotional game,” Taylor said. “Our other emotional games, our schedule was more set up for it. This is going to challenge for us. Thomasville is a good football team. They are huge up front and they really fire off the ball. I know that they are going to be fired up for the game, and I hope that will too. Thomasville comes in to the game with control of their own destiny. We are going to have to be ready for a good high school football game.”
Thomasville also had an interclass rivalry game last Friday, but fell 47-26 to Class 5A Jackson.
Andalusia will be led by junior quarterback Ethan Wilson.
Through six games, Wilson has passed for 793 yards and seven touchdowns. Wilson has also added 440 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
With standout senior running back Jamal Hourel still dealing with an ankle injury, senior Zack Woods will continue to lead the snap count in the Bulldog backfield.
In limited action, Woods has rushed 54 times for 353 yards and five touchdowns.
Short-yardage back and linebacker Antonio Gurley leads the Bulldogs with eight touchdowns on 11 carries this season.
B.J. Anderson and Derrick McQueen lead the Bulldogs in receiving.
Anderson has caught 17 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns. McQueen has hauled in 16 passes for 266 yards and one score.
The Bulldogs and the Tigers will kickoff at 7 p.m., Friday in Andalusia.