Andalusia wanted a challenge early this season.

The Bulldogs are going to get one as they host T.R. Miller tonight for their season opener at the high school’s Municipal Stadium.

“I know what kind of caliber team they have,” AHS head football coach Brian Seymore said. “I know they’re one of the top favorites in the 3A south. That’s something, as a program, we need. We need those challenges.

“I think, hopefully, our kids will learn to play in those games,” he said. “Those are that games you’ll face in the playoffs. I wanted to test our team early.”

AHS enters this season after finishing 8-3 in 2013 and in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs. TRM finished in the third round, falling to state runner up Leeds.

“It’s a huge challenge,” Seymore said. “(TRM head football) Coach (Jamie) Riggs has built a huge tradition. We’re trying to do the same thing.”

Senior running back McHenry Coleman leads the Tigers’ down-hill run game, which Seymore said the defense must take care of to force more passes.

“He’s a very solid running back and outside linebacker,” Seymore said about Coleman. “He’s another kid who plays on both sides of the ball.”

On the offensive and defensive line for the Tigers is James Peach, who stands at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds.

Seymore said Peach is a “giant.”

“He’s definitely somebody we’re concerned about,” the coach said. “He’s a Division 1 player.”

Another player the Bulldogs will be keeping an eye on is Kyle Davis at inside linebacker.

“We’ve got to make sure we get a hat on these guys,” Seymore said.

According to the National Weather Service, tonight’s game temperature is supposed to be right at 74 degrees. During the day, the high is supposed to reach 99 degrees.

Having a lot of players playing on both sides of the ball, Seymore said the key is to make sure they don’t get too dehydrated and to keep an eye on them.

Seymore said tonight’s game will give the players an opportunity to see what “power football” is all about.

“T.R. Miller is known for lining up and running the ball,” he said. “It’s something like a college kickoff classic. You’ve got two good programs facing each other. A lot of questions will need to be answered. There’s only one way to do it, and that’s to line up and play it.”

Kickoff tonight is at 7.