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Andalusia came out firing on defense and controlled the game from start to finish to post a huge region win, 35-7, against Eufaula at home Friday night.

The Bulldogs improved to 4-4 overall and 3-1 in 5A Region 2 with the victory, while the Tigers fell to 4-4 and 3-2.

“I told the guys in the locker room last week after the game, ‘I’ll do better.’ All of the coaches took that to heart. These young men are capable of doing what they did tonight. I wish we had found that out a little earlier, but I’m certainly proud of them for finding it now,” Head Coach Trent Taylor said. “We had a tremendous week of practice, and on the night we dedicate the press box to Dr. (David) McCalman, we come out and play probably as good of a football game as we have in the last 10 years.”

Eufaula started the game at its own 30-yard line and quickly went three-and-out. Following a punt, Andalusia took over and picked up two first down runs from Zerrick Jones and Noah Curry into visiting territory. Two false start penalties and a defensive stand led to a punt.

The Bulldogs came up with a huge play on their next defensive possession. On second-and-11, Ty’keyvious McCoy threw an interception into the hands of Kalvin Woods who returned it for a pick-six. Cobb Stewart’s PAT was good for a 7-0 lead with 7:01 to go in the first quarter.

The Tigers got an 11-yard run on their ensuing possession for a first down but were stopped again by the mighty defense. Starting at the 33-yard line, Curry had a 19-yard run for a first down. Jones converted a third-and-1 with a 2-yard carry and had a 27-yard run for another first down two plays later. Jones then capped the eight-play, 67-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Stewart’s point after pushed the lead to 14-0 at the 2:49 mark.

Eufaula earned one first down on their next drive but still could not solve the home defense. Curry started the next offensive drive with a 10-yard run on the final play of the opening stanza.

Jordyn Skanes earned a first down on second-and-5 early in the second quarter before Curry went to the air and connected with Cadariyus Love on a 13-yard strike. Skanes, Jones, and Curry continued to move the chains with first-down carries. Curry then capped another strong drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. The PAT was good as Andalusia took a 21-0 lead with 8:02 left until halftime.

The defense forced another three-and-out. Jones converted a second-and-4 with a 13-yard run down to the opposing 35-yard line. From there, the Tigers made a stop and regained possession deep in their own territory at the 9-yard line. McCoy threw a 10-yard pass to Jaylin Wright for a first down and added another on a 23-yard carry. Wright then hauled in a 27-yard reception at the home 28-yard line. The Bulldogs continued to show grit and made another huge defensive stand as the half came to an end.

Starting at the 32-yard line, Skanes exploded right out of the gate with a 68-yard touchdown run on the initial play of the second half. Stewart’s PAT stretched the lead to 28-0 with 11:46 in the third quarter.

Eufaula earned another first down on its next drive before two incompletions resulted in another punt. The two sides then went back and forth as each had a three-and-out. Andalusia needed only two plays and struck gold again with a 51-yard touchdown run by Jones. The point after took the score to 35-7 at the 5:14 point.

The Tigers chewed up the clock and followed with their most efficient drive of the night. They averted the shutout with a 1-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. The point after was good and cut the score to 35-7 with 11:56 remaining in the game.

Neither side posed a threat the rest of the way, although the Bulldogs attempted a 35-yard field goal with 7:37 left. The two teams continued to battle one another until the final horn sounded.

Andalusia will travel to Carroll-Ozark (1-7, 0-4) next week for another region game on Friday, Oct. 18.

“The kids believed in themselves after tonight’s game. They will be fine and do exactly what they need to do. I expect us to have nothing but four more great days next week,” Taylor said.