The Andalusia Bulldogs (4-4, 2-3) put up a fight, but fell to Escambia County 24-3 on Friday night for homecoming in Andalusia.

Escambia County got the ball to start the game and picked up a first down on the opening play when Jordaun Patterson connected Kuron Frye.

A few plays later, Frye hauled in another catch for a first down.

The Andalusia defense then stepped up and forced a punt from Escambia County.

Andalusia’s opening drive went three-and-out and the Bulldogs were forced to punt.

Defense remained strong and Andalusia forced another punt from Escambia County.

Andalusia’s next drive was cut short when a ball bounced off an Andalusia receiver and into the hands of Escambia County’s Allen Patterson who returned the ball to the Andalusia 26-yard line.

Escambia County got down to the 1-yard line when Patterson hit Jabryce Hooks over the middle.

Patterson then punched it in from 1-yard out to put Escambia County on top.

Patterson connected with Lue Williams on the two-point conversion to put Escambia County up 8-0 with 43 seconds left in the first quarter.

Andalusia was forced to punt on the next drive following another three-and-out.

Escambia County came up with a big catch from Williams to open up the next drive, but the Bulldog defense stepped up and forced a turnover on downs.

Andalusia’s next drive didn’t last long as Gregory Robinson came up with an interception for Escambia County.

The Andalusia defense came up strong and forced another turnover on downs.

Andalusia got a first down on the next drive when Jake Wilson broke off an 11-yard run.

Caleb Smallwood picked up a first down on a hard run, but then the Andalusia drive stalled and the Bulldogs were forced to punt.

Wilson let loose a booming punt and pinned Escambia County on their own 11-yard line.

Andalusia’s defense came up with a couple of big stops to get the ball back with 46 seconds left in the first half.

Wilson picked up a first down on the first play of the drive with a strong run and then moved the Bulldogs into field goal range a play later.

Reese Burkhardt then boomed home a 44-yard goal to put the Bulldogs on the board just before halftime.

Defense continued to be strong for both teams as there was nothing but punts in the third quarter.

Escambia County caught a break to start the fourth quarter as Charles Lambert came up with an interception.

On the following drive for Escambia County, the Bulldogs looked to have them right where they wanted them as they faced a third-and-43 following several penalties.

Escambia County managed to get back some yardage on a personal foul, and then picked up a first down on a fourth down play.

Escambia County caught another break a few plays later.

Escambia County was pushing the pile on short run attempting to get into the endzone, but the Andalusia defense came up strong and appeared to make the stop.

No whistles were blown and one official signaled touchdown, but the ball wasn’t anywhere near the pile.

An Andalusia player stripped the ball loose and was running with a teammate down the field, but then the officials decided that the Escambia County player was down by forward progress despite there not being any whistles blown.

Escambia County used the errant call to their advantage and scored on fourth down to go up 16-3 with four minutes left in the game.

In a desperation attempt, Andalusia launched a ball down the field, but Escambia County came up with an interception and ran it back for a touchdown to go up 24-3 with just under three minutes to play.

“I think our defense still played well,” Andalusia head coach Trent Taylor said. “We’ve just got to do a better job of controlling our emotions and we have to get better offensively. No way to shape it other than that. We’ve got to find a way to throw and catch the football and we have to find a way to run the football. We just look liked a pretty bad football team tonight.”