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Ethan Wilson stretches for the end zone. Josh Dutton/Star-News

Undre Johnson celebrates after coming up with an interception.

BJ Anderson makes a touchdown catch from Ethan Wilson.

Sebaskin Stallworth makes a catch along the sideline.

Andalusia blows past Thomasville, 38-28

The top-ranked Andalusia Bulldogs got up early and held off the No. 4-ranked Thomasville Tigers 38-28 on Friday night in Thomasville.

Thomasville got the ball to start the game, but a sack on third-and-long by Will Clark and William Lindsey forced the Tigers to punt the ball.

Andalusia took over on their own 10-yard line and pushed the ball down the field behind big running plays from Roosevelt Weaver.

Bulldog quarterback Ethan Wilson capped off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run.

Reese Burkhardt tacked on the extra point to put the Bulldogs up 7-0 with 6:10 left in the opening quarter.

Both teams exchanged punts over the next two series before running out the first quarter.

On the opening drive of the second quarter, Wilson connected with Sebaskin Stallworth on big play, but the drive stalled a few plays later.

Andalusia was able to get points on the drive when Burkhardt split the uprights on 39-yard field goal to give the Bulldogs a 10-0 lead with 8:58 left in the opening half.

Late in the second quarter, Thomasville broke through with a touchdown to cut the lead down to 10-7.

Wilson started the next drive with a 21-yard run and then a diving catch in the end zone by Grant Holley gave the Bulldogs a score with two minutes left until halftime.

Thomasville attempted a wide receiver pass on the next play, but B.J. Anderson went up and picked off the pass.

Opening up the second half, Weaver busted loose on 53-yard run to set the Bulldogs upside the Tiger 20-yard line.

A few plays later, Wilson found the end zone from 1-yard out.

Thomasville continued to fight and picked up score midway through the third quarter to cut Andalusia’s lead down to 24-14.

It didn’t take the Bulldogs long to strike back as Wilson hit Anderson on 26-yard touchdown to push the Andalusia lead up to 31-14 with 6:39 left in the third.

Both teams trade punts on the next few series, and then Andalusia’s Undre Johnson came up with an interception late in the third quarter.

Thomasville wasn’t ready to quit and they got another touchdown to make it 31-21 with 10 minutes left in the game.

Thomasville forced another Bulldog punt and then began to march down the field.

Andalusia then got a huge interception from Anderson, who battered his way down the field for an 80-yard touchdown return with 3:59 left in the game to put the Bulldogs up 38-21.

The Tigers were able to go down the field one final time and scored a touchdown to make it 38-28 with 1:13 left in the game.

Thomasville attempted and onside kick, but Anderson recovered it for the Bulldogs.

“No doubt that was a great game,” Andalusia head coach Trent Taylor said. “That was one of the best quarterbacks that we have seen all year. I was really proud of our defense and our coaching staff for what they were able to do to stop him. They did a great job getting ready, and there is no doubt that this was a great win.”

With the win, the Bulldogs clench a playoff spot and are currently in sole possession of first place in Class 4A, Region 1.

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