The Andalusia Bulldogs put together a strong season last year in head coach Trent Taylor’s first year at the helm, and are looking to build of that success heading into the 2016 football season.

Last season, the Bulldogs made to the third round of the Class 4A State playoffs before falling in heartbreaker to the Munford Lions.

That trip to the playoffs put a taste in the mouths of the players and the coaching staff, and they are eager to get back on the grind of chasing a ring.

The Bulldogs return several starters for last year’s team including first-team Class 4A All-State running back Jamal Hourel.

Hourel set the Andalusia High School rushing record last season with 2,396 yards on the ground.

Hourel had 35 touchdowns and 12 100-yard games last season for the Bulldogs.

At quarterback, the Bulldogs will have Ethan Wilson, who started a few games last season as a sophomore for Andalusia.

Wilson spent part of the season rotating possessions with senior quarterback Taylor Griffin, but Wilson become the start during the Bulldog’s playoff run.

Last season, Wilson passed for 694 yards and seven touchdowns. Wilson added 344 yards on the ground and five rushing touchdowns.

The Bulldogs also return the top three receivers from last year’s third-round team.

B.J. Anderson will be a junior in the upcoming season and he was the Bulldogs’ top receiver last year.

Anderson caught 26 passes for 375 yards and three touchdowns.

Derrick Brown caught eight passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns.

The other returning receiver is Jaden Brown who caught 13 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown.

Andalusia also added two receivers to the depth chart in transfers Reggie Thompson and Allen George.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs return linebackers Antonio Gurley, Will Clark and Jason Donahue.

The Bulldogs also return most of their secondary from last season and a few defensive lineman.

This season the Bulldogs will be dealing with a new region, as they were moved into Class 4A, Region 1.

Andalusia’s new region opponents will be W.S. Neal, UMS-Wright, Thomasville, Monroe County, Escambia County and Satsuma.