BULLDOGS STEAMROLL OPP: Andalusia clips the Bobcats in county rivalry
Published 12:31 am Saturday, September 29, 2018
The Andalusia Bulldogs picked up a big 55-7 victory over the Opp Bobcats on Friday night in Andalusia.
Opp got the ball to start the game and picked up a first down a strong run from Ashton Patel.
The Bobcat drive then stalled and they had to punt the ball away to Andalusia.
Roosevelt Weaver raced 46-yards on a third down play to give Andalusia their first first down of the game.
Jake Wilson followed with a long run for another first down and Weaver capped off the drive with an 8-yard score.
On the ensuing kickoff, Reese Burkhardt sent the ball into the end zone for a touchback for the second-straight time.
Opp’s following drive lasted just three plays before they were forced to punt.
Andalusia picked up a quick first down when Wilson found Bry Burnett on 12-yard pass and catch.
Weaver and Caleb Smallwood then wheeled off back-to-back first downs before Wilson connected with Keaun Samuel for a 17-yard touchdown.
Andalusia was up 14-0 with 1:14 left in the first quarter.
Burkhardt then boomed another ball into the end zone for a touchback.
Opp’s Lane Ballard escaped pressure on a second down play and had an open receiver, but the pass was dropped to bring up third down.
Opp was once again forced to punt the ball away.
The Bulldogs got the ball back and quickly began to move the ball down the field.
Elijah McClain picked up a first down with a 7-yard run on the second play of the drive.
A few plays later, Weaver broke loose for a big run, but the play was called back due to a block in the back called on the Bulldogs.
The drive stalled and Andalusia was forced to attempt a 41-yard field goal. Burkhardt had plenty of leg on the kick, but the ball sailed left of the mark.
Opp got the ball back, but the drive lasted just three plays before they had to punt.
John Harper Dubose found Samuel for a 27-yard play to open the next drive for Andalusia.
Weaver followed with a long touchdown, but a holding called brought the play back.
A few plays later, Dubose connected with Josh Gurley for a first down and then Weaver scored from 11 yards out.
Burkhardt’s extra point was good and then he boomed another kickoff into the end zone for a touchback.
Opp moved the ball down the field on big runs from Patel and Ballard, but a fumble recoverd by Gurley gave Andalusia the ball.
Andalusia fumbled the ball on the next play, but Gill Morgan scooped up the ball and raced more than 60 yards to the end zone.
Opp fumbled on their next drive and Chip Morgan picked up the ball for the Bulldogs.
Two plays later, G. Morgan rushed into the end zone from 1-yard out to give Andalusia a 34-0 lead with 1.2 seconds left in the first half.
Burkhardt put his sixth-straight kickoff into the end zone on the ensuing kickoff.
Opening up the second half, Weaver scored on a 40-yard run to put Andalusia up 41-0.
This time on the kickoff, Gage Theus put the ball into the end zone for a touchback.
Opp’s next drive didn’t last long as they were forced to punt.
On the punt, Andalusia blocked the kick and Ashley Odom picked up the ball and ran into the end zone to give Andalusia a 48-0 lead with 8:18 left in the third quarter.
Andalusia then got a touchdown when Ayden Amis connected with a DiAndre Sheridan on a 10-yard pass.
Theus followed with the ninth-straight kickoff to go into the end zone for a touchback.
The Bobcats struck back with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Ballard to Erik Matthews.
“I’m really proud of the way we played offensively,” Andalusia head coach Trent Taylor said. “I really think our offensive line did a great job. We’ve had two really good weeks of practice. I think our kids are meshing finally. I didn’t see as many of the stupid mistakes tonight that we have been prone to make. That’s growing up and maturing on their part.”
Opp head coach Brent Hill said he was proud to see his team never quit.
“In the first half, on the offensive side I thought there was too many dropped balls and turnovers at key moments,” Hill said. “We had a problem snapping tonight and then there was couple that hit us right in the hands and we dropped it. Andalusia did a good job. I felt like we had moment when were driving down the field and then we fumbled on the 30. You can’t do that. The effort was there, but we have to be smarter.”