The No. 1-ranked Andalusia Bulldogs scored early and often on the way to a 51-7 routing of the Tallassee Tigers Friday night in the quarterfinal round of the 2016 AHSAA Class 4A state playoffs.

Tallassee got the ball to start the game, but the Bulldog defense did what they do best and forced a quick three-and-out. Antonio Gurley and Allan George each had big hits to help force the punt.

The Bulldogs picked up a quick first down on a pass from Ethan Wilson to Derrick McQueen, but after moving the ball into Tiger territory Andalusia was forced to punt.

Andalusia’s defense went right back to work and forced the Tigers into another punt.

George made a strong return on the punt and set the Bulldogs up on the Tiger 35-yard line.

Jamal Hourel picked up 13 yards on the first carry of the drive and then Wilson scrambled in from 22 yards for the first Andalusia touchdown of the game.

After the extra-point from Kiki Wain put Andalusia up 7-0 with 4:48 left in the opening quarter.

The Bulldog defense forced another punt from the Tigers and then took over from their own 38-yard line.

Tallassee forced Andalusia into fourth-and-two, but the Bulldogs elected to keep the offense on the field. Wilson handed the ball off to Gurley, who busted through the line and raced 39 yards to the end zone.

Wain’s extra point put Andalusia up 14-0 with 59 seconds left in the first quarter.

Andalusia’s defense then forced a turnover on downs from the Tigers.

Hourel then broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run to give Andalusia a 21-0 lead with 6:31 left before halftime.

Tallassee’s next possession didn’t last long as Tyquise Jenkins stepped in front of a pass for a Bulldog interception.

One play later, Hourel found pay dirt from 17 yards out for another Bulldog touchdown.

The extra point dinked off the upright, buy Andalusia was on top 27-0 with 5:22 left in the first half.

On the Bulldogs’ next drive, Wilson connected with B.J. Anderson for a 40-yard gain to set Andalusia up with a first-and-goal.

Riley Graham then punched it in from 2 yards out to put the Bulldogs up 34-0 with 2:26 left before halftime.

Andalusia’s defense continued to cause nightmares for the Tallassee offense as Will Clark stepped in front of Tiger pass for an interception. Clark rambled his way down the field before being brought down at the Tallassee 17-yard line.

It didn’t take but a few plays before Riley found the end zone for the second time. As the half came to an end, the Bulldogs held a tremendous 41-0 lead over Tallassee.

Andalusia got the ball to start the second half, and drove down the field for field goal. Wain Yongkuma split the uprights on 39-yard field goal to give Andalusia a 44-0 lead.

After forcing another punt from Tallassee, the Bulldogs got their final touchdown of the game when Wilson found McQueen on the sideline for a 65-yard touchdown pass and catch. The extra point gave Andalusia a 51-0 lead with 4:49 left in the third quarter.

Tallassee’s only score of the game came late in the fourth quarter with all of the Bulldog starters on the bench.

“These guys never cease to amaze me,” Andalusia head coach Trent Taylor said. “There is something very special about this bunch. Every Sunday when they show up as focused as they have been, you can tell there is something different about this group. We got to this point last year and the kids decided they wanted more. I’m proud of what they have accomplished, but we still have a few goals left to checkoff.”

Andalusia will be at home next Friday night against Handley for the state semifinals.