The No. 1-ranked Andalusia Bulldogs (10-1) know the challenge that lies ahead of them as they travel to Leeds on Friday night to take on the two-time defending Class 4A state champion in the Leeds High School Green Wave (8-3).

“This a great opportunity for us to go up against a very good football program,” Bulldogs’ head coach Trent Taylor said. “They (Leeds) won the state championship last year and the year before, so until someone knocks them off they are they best team in the state.”

Leeds came into the season as back-to-back state champions, but did lose six All-State players from a year ago.

The Green Wave still have talent, including a pair of speedy running backs.

“They are still a very good football team.” Taylor said. “They have two really good running backs who are probably two of the fastest backs that we have faced all year. They are also a little different on the defensive side of the ball than we have seen this year. They have a lot of smaller guys who are really quick. Gaps that usually open up tend to close up pretty quickly against them.”

As for the Bulldogs, Taylor said they must stay focused on the task in front of them.

“We just have to patient,” Taylor said. “In the second and third round of the playoffs, you aren’t going to be blowing out teams. We have to stay patient and see what they are letting us do. As long we are disciplined and take care of our assignments, we will be fine.”

Another key during the playoffs will be specials teams, Taylor said.

“Special teams is something that gets overlooked a lot, especially this time of year,” Taylor said. “There is no telling, though, how many playoff games are won or lost because of mistakes in the kicking game. It’s something we have done a good job with this season, but we are going to have to continue that in the playoffs.”

Taylor said that practice has been strong this week and the Bulldogs are ready to play.

“The kids came in very focused on Sunday for film sessions,” Taylor said. “That was evident by the way we practiced on Monday and Tuesday. Those were two very good days of practice. It’s really a lot of fun to play a team like Leeds, heck, it’s a lot of fun to be playing any team this time of year.”

Andalusia and Leeds will kickoff at 7 p.m., Friday in Leeds.