Andalusia’s press and size were too much for Opp Friday night, as the Bulldogs won in a 61-25 rout on their senior night.

AHS and OHS started off slow, staying neck and neck in the first period. Before long, the Bobcats started making turnovers and Andalusia swept to a 14-5 lead.

Leading 18-12 after the first period, AHS went on to outscore Opp 27-0 in the second period to lead 45-12 at halftime.

Until the end, Opp played its hearts out, never losing energy, AHS coach Richard Robertson said.

“He does a good job of coaching,” Robertson said about OHS coach Sterling Driver said. “They gave us all we wanted at the first of the season. We’re still not where we need to be. We still make too many mistakes.”

A highlight from the first half was a steal by Jayden Ellison, who then passed the ball to senior Randy “Rambo” Robertson, who then drained a 3-pointer just before the buzzer for Andalusia to cause pandemonium in the crowd.

The Bulldogs let up a little bit in the third period, only outscoring Opp 10-6 to lead 55-18 going into the fourth period.

Opp outscored Andalusia 7-6 in the fourth period.

“It was good to win the last game of the regular seoan, sending them out on a winning note,” Robertson said about the seniors. “We’re not proud of winning six ball games.

“We’re our own worst enemies,” he added. “When you’re playing stiff competition, you can score as many as you want. We’re not trying to come out there and try to run the score up on anybody or anything like that. We just want to win. We’re a little late for what we did tonight. Some people got to play who haven’t played much.”

Many of the Bulldogs’ seniors got some playing time in the game to the end.

Andalusia senior Keonta Hunter led AHS with 14 points. Hunter was a central scoring force for the Bulldogs at the start.

Bulldogs senior Jalen Cross added seven points. AHS junior Jayden Ellison had nine points. Senior Ty Wallace had six points, and junior Phillip James had six points. Robertson had five points.

Opp’s Jaiquan Wade led the Bobcats with six points.

Driver declined to comment after the game.

In B-team action, Opp edged Andalusia 55-53 in overtime.

Kendarius Townsend led AHS with 21 points. Cameron Woods added 13 points.

Opp’s Devontae Williamson led OHS with 17 points. Maveric Ladson and Chris Morrow had 10 points each.

Andalusia travels to Wilcox Central, where the Bulldogs will play WCHS on Friday at 7:30 p.m., in the semifinals of the Class 4A, Area 2 tournament.

Opp travels to Straughn, where it will play SHS in the semifinals on Friday night at 8.

-Andrew Garner