Andalusia High School head football coach Trent Taylor challenges his players every day, but Tuesday, he also challenged fans.

“People drive all over the state and spend lots of money to watch people they don’t know except for their names on the backs of their jerseys,” he told local Rotarians. “But we have a hard time getting people to come out and watch high school, where they actually know the players.”

Taylor, who is starting his second season at the Bulldog helm, said his team is honored to have been chosen to participate in the Championship Challenge in Crampton Bowl on Sat., Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs will play Brooks, which also reached the Class 4A quarterfinals last season. Both teams were 11-2.

In a small change from tradition, AHS will celebrate senior night on the first home game, in Week 2 against Trinity.

And looking down the schedule, he said, a big challenge will be to help the team overcome the stigma of UMS-Wright.

“I’m not in any way making fun of the young men who played at Straughn,” Taylor, who coached there for 25 years, said. “The first time we play them, we were fortunate enough to win that football game. Two years later, in the playoffs, they knew exactly who they were and they beat the crap out of us.”

Adam Helms, defensive coordinator and strength coach, said the team has worked hard in the weight room in the off-season.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” he said. “We’ve got 11 days and a lot to accomplish between now and then.”

Offensive coordinator Ray Wilson said at present, the team has had good practices, but the key is to work on consistency.