The No. 3-ranked Andalusia Bulldogs (7-1) used a strong second half performance to take down Class 4A, Region 1 opponent Satsuma (4-3) 40-20 Friday night at Andalusia’s Memorial Stadium to clinch home field advantage for the first round of the AHSAA playoffs.

Andalusia received the opening kickoff and marched straight down the field, but the Gator defense held the Bulldogs on fourth-and-goal play from the 2-yard line to force a turnover on downs.

Zack Woods busted off a 12-yard run to start the game with a first down.

Andalusia quarterback Ethan Wilson then picked up a first down with a 9-yard run, and followed that up with a 12-yard strike to Jaden Brown for another Bulldog first down.

Wilson picked up two more first downs on the ground and helped moved the Bulldog offense inside the Gator 10-yard line.

Satsuma took over on their own 2-yard line, but the Bulldog defense didn’t allow them to keep the ball long.

On the second play of the drive, the Satsuma quarterback fumbled the exchanged from center. Tyquise Jenkins pounced on the ball in the end zone to put the Bulldogs on top.

The Gators blocked the extra-point attempt, but Andalusia led 6-0 with 6:50 left in the opening quarter.

Satsuma’s first play of the next drive ended in their own backfield when Ke’Shun Townsend delivered a big hit on the Gator running back for a 2-yard loss.

Satsuma got a big 50-yard gain on a third down play that put them inside the Andalusia 20-yard line.

A few plays later, the Gator running back rushed in from 6 yards out for the score. Satsuma added the extra-point to take a 7-6 lead with 2:10 left in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs quickly responded with a one-play scoring drive when Wilson busted around the left edge on option keeper and outran the secondary for a 61-yard touchdown. Riley Graham added the two-point conversion to put the Bulldogs on top 14-7 with 1:51 left in the opening quarter.

Andalusia’s defense stepped up and created a quick turnover on the Gators’ following drive.

Allen George stepped perfectly in between Andrew Barfield and his intended receiver for a Bulldog interception.

The Bulldogs gave the ball back a few plays later when a big hit jarred the ball loose from Wilson.

On again, the Bulldog defense needed just a few plays to force another turnover. TreMayne Stoudemire picked off the pass from Barfield for another Bulldog interception.

Wilson appeared to have a 25-yard touchdown scamper a few plays into the next drive, but a block in the back by the Bulldogs negated the touchdown. Satsuma was called for a dead ball personal foul on the play to put the ball on the Gators’ 9-yard line.

One play later, Woods delivered a 9-yard touchdown run. The Gators blocked the extra point, but Andalusia was on top 20-7 with 10 minutes left before halftime.

The two squads then exchanged punts before Satsuma closed out the first half with an 80-yard scoring drive.

Barfield connected on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 25.8 seconds left before halftime. The Gators missed the extra point and were down 20-13 heading into the half.

Satsuma started the second half with the football, but quickly turned it over to the Bulldogs on a fumble.

Barfield attempted to throw a screen pass behind the line of scrimmage, but the ball bounced off the hands of his wide receiver and Stoudemire jumped on the ball for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs looked like they might have to punt, but on a third down play Andalusia’s Derrick McQueen came up with a big play.

Wilson launched the ball down the middle of the field intended for Grant Holley. The ball was deflected by the Gators’ safety, but straight into the hand of McQueen who caught the ball in full stride and never checked up before crossing the goal line for a 36-yard touchdown.

Andalusia’s defense continued to pressure the Gators and create turnovers. Antonio Gurley picked up a pair of tackles behind the line and then George made a diving grab for his second interception of the game.

The Bulldogs then put together a 13-play 96-yard drive that Gurley capped off with a 5-yard score.

Woods picked up a pair of first downs on the drive. Wilson converted two third plays, one on the ground and one on a 17-yard strike to B.J. Anderson.

On Satsuma’s following drive, the Gators started moving down the field, but back-to-back sacks from Gurley and Will Clark forced the Gators to punt.

Andalusia drove right down the field for another score to go on top 40-13 with 6:10 left in the game. Wilson hit McQueen for a big 50-yard gain and Roosevelt Weaver rushed in from 8 yards for the touchdown.

Satsuma added a score late in game after the Bulldogs had removed all starters.

“Satsuma had a great game plan,” Andalusia head coach Trent Taylor said. “They kept us off balance. On the surface, it might look like we played sloppy, but I don’t think we did. They just came in with a good game plan. We made some adjustments at halftime that really seemed to work.”

Wilson finished the game with 105 yards and one touchdown passing, and he rushed for 156 yards and another score.

Woods had 87 yards and a score. Weaver rushed for 45 yards and score.

McQueen finished with 83 yards receiving and one touchdown.

The Bulldogs will travel to Brewton next Friday to take on W.S. Neal for the final region game of the season.