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Andalusia erased a 24-point deficit at the end of the first quarter and stunned Greenville for a wild 26-24 homecoming win Friday night.

The Bulldogs improved to 2-2 overall and 2-0 in 5A Region 2 with the huge comeback victory, while the Tigers fell to 2-2 and 0-2.

“I’ve never been so proud of a group. We told them at halftime we needed to get the ball first and go down and score. I told them to play one touchdown at a time. The defense made some adjustments at halftime to shut them out after they overpowered us up front. I’m very blessed to have the coaches and kids I have,” Head Coach Trent Taylor said.

Greenville started the game at its own 27-yard line and recorded its initial first down after two five-yard runs. Ka’tyleon Phillips followed with a 24-yard run as Cedric Morris converted a third-and-8 with a 14-yard run. Morris scored from 18 yards out, and the two-point conversion was good for an 8-0 lead with 7:23 left in the opening stanza.

Andalusia fumbled the kickoff as the Tigers took over at the home 32-yard line. Jaiden Dunklin opened the next drive with a 24-yard run before Morris capped the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run. Dunklin added the two-point conversion for a 16-0 lead at the 6:03 mark.

Jordyn Skanes tallied four yards for the Bulldogs on their first offensive play as Noah Curry followed with a 5-yard gain. The drive came to an abrupt halt when a bad snap resulted in a turnover. Greenville took over at the 47 and converted a third-and-13 with a 19-yard pass from Morris to Phillips. After Dunklin had back-to-back first down carries of 10 yards, Morris had a 14-yard touchdown run. Dunklin scored the two-point conversion for a 24-0 lead at the end of one.

Zerrick Jones gave Andalusia a first down with a 6-yard scamper to the visiting 45-yard line on the first play of the second quarter. Three plays later, Curry moved the chains on a third-and-8 with a 13-yard run. The Tigers forced another third down but jumped offside for a first down. Skanes put the Bulldogs on the board with a 7-yard run, but the two-point conversion failed and left the score 24-6 with 4:50 until halftime.

Phillips picked up two first downs on the next visiting series as Greenville reached the home 45-yard line. Andalusia buckled back and forced a turnover on downs but fumbled the ball just before the break.

Jones got the call with four straight runs for 19 yards and a first down early in the third quarter. The Bulldogs had to punt and held on defense to regain possession at their own 31-yard line. Curry picked up a first down with a 10-yard run on third-and-7 as Jones kept the drive alive with a 14-yard run. Skanes found a hole and hit pay dirt from 33 yards as Andalusia trimmed the deficit to 24-12 at the 2:14 point.

The Tigers did not hold the ball for long as Xavier Marshall recovered a fumble at the visiting 27-yard line. Jones opened the next drive with a 9-yard run before Skanes followed with a 7-yard run for a first down at the end of the third quarter. Skanes scored his third touchdown of the night on a 3-yard run with 11:05 remaining in the game. Cobb Stewart’s PAT pulled the Bulldogs within five at 24-19.

Greenville earned one first down on the next possession but ultimately punted. Andalusia kept the ball on the ground as Jones and Skanes each picked up first down carries. Skanes had a 19-yard run aided by a facemask penalty that put the ball at the visiting 4-yard line. Unfortunately, a costly fumble gave the Tigers the ball back with 4:18 to play.

The home defense pinned the Tigers deep in their own territory. Greenville rolled the dice with a fake punt but came up empty-handed and turned the ball over on downs at the 2:42 mark.

Skanes converted a second-and-8 with an 8-yard run. Two plays later, Curry found Cadariyus Love open in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown. Stewart’s PAT made the score 26-24 with 1:05 left.

Morris tried to keep the Tigers alive but could not solve the defense as the Bulldogs completed their comeback.

Andalusia remains home next week and takes on Pace, Florida (2-1) on Friday, Sept. 20.

“No offense to Enterprise, but Pace may be the best team we play and will be tough. I know this bunch will come to work Monday, do what they need to do, and go from there,” Taylor said.