Place an Ad | Subscribe | Advertise With Us

Andalusia hoping to gain some more respect

David Mundee
Published: November 22, 2007
Updated: November 22, 2007

The Andalusia Bulldogs are tired of hearing the talk.
They want to end the talk.
“There has been a lot of talk about Central of Tuscaloosa representing the south (in the state championship game), so our kids have a chip on their shoulder,” Andalusia head coach Heath Harmon said.
The Bulldogs (11-1) face Central of Tuscaloosa (12-0) Friday night in a Class 4A state quarterfinal matchup at Falcon Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
The winner advances to next week’s semifinals, needing only one more win to reach the state finals at Legion Field in Birmingham.
A year ago, Andalusia reached the semifinals before falling to Thomasville. Bulldog players are eager to go further this year.
“Their goal don’t end here,” Harmon said. “It doesn’t end with just making the third round. They want to keep taking care of business.”
Both teams enter Friday’s game ranked in the top three in the final Alabama Sports Writers Association poll.
Central began the year at No. 8, but quickly shot up to No. 2 after the third week of the regular season and have stayed there.
Andalusia started at No. 3, lost its opener to 3A top-ranked Pike County and slid down to eighth, but has worked its way back up to No. 3 with 11 straight wins.
Only north Alabama powerhouse North Jackson (12-0) is ahead of the two programs in the rankings.
Harmon said the talk on Central of Tuscaloosa has been warranted.
“There is a reason for their hype — it’s because they are good,” Harmon said.
The Falcons, behind a spread offensive attack, average 49.2 points a game, tops among all 4A teams and in the top 10 statewide.
They have scored 29 or more in all 12 games.
“They want to score in a hurry,” Harmon said.
Defensively, they allow only 11.2 a game, third best in 4A, and have recorded shutouts in six of the 12 games.
Central has also won nine of its 12 games by 28 or more points. Only Fayette County (15 points), Bibb County (14) and city rival Northridge (two points) have come close.
“They have 11 guys on offense and defense that are very good,” Harmon said.
“Their quarterback makes things go, but they also have good receivers and they can run the ball, though they throw it mostly and have run mainly when they get way ahead.
“Defensively, they are quick, they get to the ball and they get a bunch of turnovers.”
Sparking the Central offense is senior quarterback Jeremy Williams, a Class 4A Back of the Year state finalist.
Williams has thrown for 2,272 yards and 28 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He has also rushed for 443 yards and 13 TDs.
“He has a good arm and is very accurate,” Harmon said.
The Falcons also feature two 1,000-yard rushers — DeMario Pippen (167 carries, 1,908 yards, 18 TDs) and Derrick Cade (87 carries, 1,235 yards, 14 TDs).
Defensively, linebackers Jeffery Gordon (134 tackles, two blocked kicks), Brandon Bester (101 tackles), Dondrell Wesley (100 tackles) and William Sterling (63 tackles) lead the way.
Lineman Trenton Ross (71 tackles, 12 sacks) and defensive back Jonathan Edwards (10 interceptions) are other top defensive players.
Andalusia has quite a few weapons at its disposal too.
Running back Michael Berry, like Central’s Williams, is a 4A Back of the Year finalist. Offensive lineman Lederryus Benson is a 4A Lineman of the Year finalist.
Berry has racked up 1,547 yards and 30 touchdowns rushing, averaging 128.9 yards a game.
Benson, a 6-foot-2, 320 pounder, has been a powerful blocker, helping Andalusia’s offense roll up more than 4,000 yards rushing.
Quarterback was a question mark for Andalusia heading into the season after losing three-starter Matt Mellown.
Brent Shiver has answered the question there, amassing nearly 1,000 yards rushing and throwing for more than 600.
Fullback C.J. Richardson is also a force for AHS with nearly 800 yards rushing.
The Bulldog defense has been solid, allowing 13.7 points a game, fifth best in Class 4A.
A strong linebacker corps led by Nico Johnson, Brannon Bryan and Berry spark the defense.
The Bulldogs may have an advantage in the kicking game. Central has gone for two-point conversions most of the year, while Gillis Jones has been reliable for Andalusia on extra points and has also kicked two field goals.

Reader Reactions

Voice your opinion by posting a comment.

Post a Comment(Requires free registration)

The commenting period has ended or commenting has been deactivated for this article.

Andalusia hoping to gain some more respect

Share This:

Reader Reactions

Post a Comment(Requires free registration)