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The Andalusia Bulldogs’ season came to a heart-wrenching end Friday night, falling to UMS-Wright in the second round of the state playoffs, 7-6.

Both teams scored on their first drives of the game, but it was UMS who came up with a block on Andalusia’s extra-point attempt that would prove to be the difference.

With its youngest team in a few years, Head Coach Trent Taylor said he is proud that his players kept fighting and continued to improve as the season progressed. The Bulldogs finish the 2024 season with an overall record of 7-5 and second place in 5A Region 2.

“We had great leadership from our seniors all year long. I hate it for those kids who have played their last game. Every Monday, regardless if we won or lost, they kept their spirits high. Even at the end when it looked bleak we got a turnover to give ourselves another chance. They played their hearts out,” Taylor said.

Led by a strong group of seniors, the Bulldogs kept the game close throughout, especially on defense that came up with key plays when they were needed the most. Seniors include Calvin Daniel, Cadariyus Love, Xavier Marshall, J.D. Parker, Dillon Blackston, Landon Caldwell, Zade Newton, Will Dalton, Riley Tucker, Jimmy White, Amari Larkin, Davis Drish, and Jackson Smith. Junior Neillex Ferrell had a strong night on the defensive side with multiple tackles for loss or no gains.

UMS Wright struck first taking the opening kickoff 76 yards on a near seven-minute drive that ended with a 28-yard pass. The extra point gave UMS a 7-0 edge.

Andalusia was quick to answer on its first possession. The kickoff return by Zerrick Jones set the Bulldogs up at their own 23. A short pass from quarterback Noah Curry to Calvin Daniels was good for a five-yard pickup. On second down, Jones found a hole in the middle of the defense and followed a couple key blocks to break away for a big 72-yard gain into the end zone. Cobb Stewart’s point after was blocked as UMS held on to a one-point lead.

From there, both teams’ defenses settled in with each forcing the opposing offenses to punt on the remaining possessions of the first half.

In the second quarter, Andalusia’s defense stepped up with two interceptions to keep the deficit within one point. Early in the second, UMS drove to the 33-yard line and went long where Mello Hill came up with a pick and returned it to the Andalusia 14.

The Bulldog defense came up big again as time was winding down on the first half. UMS had moved the ball down to the Andalusia 32 where UMS once again went deep to end zone, but this time it was Cardariyus Love who came away with the interception to end the threat and keeping the score at 7-6 going into halftime.

The two defenses continued to dominate throughout the remainder of the game. After getting to midfield, Andalusia’s first possession of the second half ended with a UMS interception at their own 6-yard line. It was the punt late in the third quarter that would set up poor field position for Andalusia at their own 3-yard line, which kept them backed up for the remainder of the game.

Early in the fourth, UMS took control at their own 45-yard line after an Andalusia punt. Two flags against the Bulldogs would be the biggest gains for UMS, putting them at the Bulldog 15 and the best chance either team had to score since early in the game. After a few short-gainers, UMS was faced with a fourth-and-1 at the 6-yard line. The Andalusia defense held the quarterback short of the line to gain and took control near the 5.

With just over seven minutes to go, Andalusia’s offense was not able to convert on the first down leading to a punt from the back of the end zone which was fair-caught at the Bulldog 22-yard line.

Once again, the Bulldog defense came up with a big play. On third-and-nine at the 11-yard line, UMS fumbled away the snap and Xavier Marshall was there for the recovery at the 18-yard line. But, UMS’s defense was also strong throughout the game and came up with an 8-yard sack that forced Andalusia to punt once again from deep in their own territory.

Taking control at the Bulldog 27, UMS managed a first down that allowed them to run out the clock as time expired on the Bulldog’s season.