Going head-to-head

Published 12:03 am Friday, October 8, 2010

Price of admission to the Straughn-Andalusia football game tonight. $6.

The price of a hamburger and a coke. $4.

A game worth your money. Priceless.

Andalusia and Straughn will take the field tonight in an epic battle between two senior classes that have played each other since their youth football days.

Last season, Andalusia came away with a 20-7 win over Straughn at home, and each class hasn’t forgotten that game.

“Ever since the season started we’ve been preparing for this game,” Andalusia senior right guard Keontae Freeney said.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 20-14 homecoming win over Hillcrest-Evergreen last week, while the Tigers routed Bullock County 48-12 on their homecoming.

So far this season, Straughn’s defense has allowed 113 points compared to Andalusia’s 62.

“As long as we play hard — that’s the way we’re going into the game is to play hard,” Straughn senior defensive lineman Giavann Nurse said. “If we can do that, then we’ll be fine.”

Each team’s approach to every game is different. Straughn’s seniors said they are approaching this game like their game against Opp, where they won 42-25.

“We’re really excited about it, but we’re just going to treat it like it’s any other game,” Straughn senior linebacker Nick Allen said. “It’s going to be worth coming out to watch.

“Our coaches have just told us as long as we execute we can win,” he said. “(Andalusia senior running back) Derrick King is a good player, but as long as we execute, then we’ll be fine.”

Both senior classes said Thursday that playing “assignment football” is the main key for tonight’s game.

For Andalusia, its seniors want to prove something.

“We just want to prove that we’re the best in the county,” Andalusia senior linebacker Johnnie Jones said.

“It’s going to be electrifying,” King said.

Andalusia’s 14 seniors and Straughn’s 22 seniors have competed against each other since they were in the youth leagues, and in the past three seasons, Andalusia’s seniors have compiled a 2-1 record over Straughn’s seniors.

“You’re going to get your money’s worth Friday night,” Nurse said. “It’s definitely going to be a hard fought game.”

Kickoff between these 36 seniors will be at 7 p.m. in Straughn.