The top-ranked Andalusia Bulldogs were firing on all cylinders as they blew past Childersburg 42-14 on Friday night in the opening round of the AHSAA Class 4A state playoffs.

“I was really proud of the way the kids played,” Andalusia head coach Trent Taylor said. “They did exactly what we asked them, and that was to come out and dominate both sides of the ball. I’m not sure how many first downs they (Childersburg) had in the first half, but it wasn’t many.”

Andalusia got the ball to start the contest, but Childersburg’s defense was up for the challenge and forced the Bulldogs to turn the ball over on downs.

Childersburg’s offensive possession didn’t last long as Andrew Dean stepped in front of pass on third down and then went 27 yards to the end zone to give the Bulldogs the lead.

Reese Burkhardt then missed the extra point, which is not common for the kicker. Burkhardt has hit 51-of-53 extra points tries this season.

A few drives later, Childersburg tried to catch the Bulldogs off guard with a reverse, but Caleb Smallwood stayed at home and delivered a punishing blow to the ball carrier for a 9-yard loss. Smallwood got another tackle behind the line two plays later to force Childersburg to punt.

The Bulldogs then needed just one play to stretch the lead to two scores.

Ethan Wilson connected with a wide-open B.J. Anderson who sprinted 49 yards to pay dirt. On the two-point conversion, Wilson hit Grant Holley in the end zone to give Andalusia a 14-0 lead with 3:03 remaining in the opening quarter.

Andalusia’s defense came up with another big stop a few drives later aided by sacks from William Lindsey.

On second down, Lindsey sacked Justin Taylor for a 2-yard loss. The next play Lindsey smashed Taylor again, but this time the hit dislodged the football and Matthew Lilly scooped it up on the Childersburg 12-yard line.

The Bulldogs didn’t waste much time as Will Clark punched it from 2 yards out. Burkhardt’s extra point gave the Bulldogs a 21-0 lead with 8:51 left before halftime.

Andalusia’s defense then forced a three-and-out from Childersburg to get the ball back with 7:29 left in the second.

A few plays later, the Bulldog offense found the end zone for the fourth time in the first half.

There wasn’t a fire, but smoke could be smelled as Anderson burned the Childersburg defense for a 55-yard touchdown off a pass from Wilson.

Childersburg then fumbled on the next drive and Andalusia’s Sebaskin Stallworth scored on an 8-yard pass from Wilson to give Andalusia a 35-0 lead late in the second.

Andalusia’s final score came on a 15-yard rush from Roosevelt Weaver.

Childersburg showed they weren’t going to go away without a fight as Taylor found a leaping Takairee Kenebrew in the end zone for a 41-yard score.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Taylor found Kenebrew again behind the Andalusia defense for a 23-yard touchdown, but that was all the Tigers were able to pull out.

With the win, the Bulldogs advance to the second round where they will host St. James in Andalusia.

This is the third-straight year that the Bulldogs have made it to at least the second round of the playoffs.