Visiting Andalusia Bulldogs edge past Beauregard Hornets 28-27
BY DAVID YOHN
FOR THE OBSERVER
BEAUREGARD — Just one day after the landfall of Hurricane Helene, the visiting Bulldogs from Andalusia made the trek to Beauregard and defeated the Hornets in a non-region 5A matchup, 28-27.
Beauregard, coming into the game winners of four in a row, were looking to gain experience and to test themselves against a perennial 5A powerhouse. Andalusia started the month of September strong, defeating Headland and Greenville before losing to Pace (Florida). While the loss was disappointing for the Hornets, Beauregard head coach Justin Jones knows that his team might see the Bulldogs down the road.
“We were in a battle, man,” Jones. “We made more mistakes, and they capitalized on them. That’s what good football teams do. They’ve got a heck of a football team. I told our guys, ‘The great thing about both of us being non-region 5A opponents is we could possibly see each other again in the playoffs.’”
The visiting Bulldogs looked to take control of the game early, limiting Beauregard’s offense to a quick three-and-out on their initial possession. Andalusia then drove the ball 69 yards in 11 plays, chewing up 5:29 on their way to a 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs did not lead again until the fourth quarter, when they scored on the first play of the final stanza to take a 28-27 lead.
The first of four touchdown drives for the home-standing Hornets came in response to Andalusia’s first score. Senior Kajaden Holloway was the featured running back for Beauregard, while junior quarterback Cub Jones connected with Aaden Johnson for a 34-yard strike with 1:29 remaining on the first quarter clock to tie the game at seven. Jermiyan Fitch also reeled in a 15-yard pass from Jones on the scoring drive. Beauregard’s defense benefitted from a holding call against Andalusia on the ensuing drive and narrowly avoided giving up a huge completion that likely would have given Andalusia the lead once again.
But the Hornets’ offense responded by putting together arguably their best touchdown drive of the night, covering 84 yards in just nine plays. Jones found Aundray Vann open for an 18-yard gain on the first play of the drive, and three plays later the two looked to connect again. The Bulldogs were guilty of defensive pass interference, and the Hornets made them pay. Holloway picked up 46 yards on four rushes, including the 15-yard jaunt into the end zone that put Beauregard up 14-7.
Kameron James made sure the Bulldogs’ offense could not find any traction, picking off an errant Andalusia pass on the third play of their truncated drive. The Hornets needed just five plays and 2:00 to cover the 51 yards and to extend their lead to 21-7 with just 1:38 remaining in the second quarter. Jones found Fitch twice for gains of nine and of 25 yards, the latter coming on an amazing catch in front of the Hornets’ bench. On the very next play, Fitch again connected with Vann for the score.
What happened next brought Beauregard down a bit heading into the locker room for halftime. The Hornets’ defense again benefitted from the Bulldogs missing a wide open receiver, so Beauregard looked for a last-minute drive to extend their lead. However, Andalusia’s defensive lineman, Riley Tucker, managed to strip the ball from Jones as he looked to pass and then rumbled 25 yards for a critical Bulldog score. Beauregard’s lead was trimmed to only 21-14.
That halftime lead did not last long, as the Bulldogs came out hot in the second half. Despite how it was first marked, a measurement early in the drive resulted in a new set of downs for Andalusia. They capitalized, capping off a 70-yard drive in nine plays with an 18-yard touchdown strike on 3rd-and-14 at the Hornets’ 18-yard line. The score was now knotted at 21 midway through the third quarter.
Andalusia was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct following their game-tying touchdown, forcing them to kick off from their own 20-yard line. A 20-yard return set the Hornets up at the Bulldogs’ 45-yard line. Jeffery Holloway shouldered the load on Beauregard’s drive, rushing six times for 27 yards. Jones found Vann for a two-yard touchdown strike, and the Hornets had regained the lead with 2:21 remaining in the third quarter. After lining up for the apparent extra point, Beauregard hoped to catch the Andalusia defense napping, but the attempt to run it in for two points was stuffed. The Hornets settled for a 27-21 lead.
Zerrick Jones electrified the Bulldogs’ sideline by taking the kickoff back 70 yards, giving Andalusia a short field to cover. The 15-yard drive ended on the first play of the fourth quarter, when the Bulldogs scored on a 12-yard pass on 4th-and-7. The PAT proved to be the difference, and Andalusia overcame a 21-7 deficit to claim an unlikely 28-27 win.
“I’ll take it. I went for the two-point conversion early,” Jones said. “I’m the one who decided to go for the two-point play. We’ll own all our mistakes and correct them and move forward next week.”
What’s next
Next week, on Oct. 4, the Hornets will try to rebound when they travel to Holtville for a region contest. The Bulldogs from Holtville are just 1-3 this season, but their one win was a 35-13 victory over mutual opponent Sylacauga. Holtville enjoyed their bye this week, so they will be well-rested.
Beauregard must quickly regain their focus in their return to region play. The Hornets then will benefit from their open week before hosting Central-Clay on Oct. 18.
Beulah nabs momentum-shifting 28-15 victory over Loachapoka
BY NOAH GIRFFITH
FOR THE OBSERVER
BEULAH — The Beulah Bobcats (3A) made a return to the win column on Friday night by defeating the visiting Loachapoka Indians (2A), 28-15.
After starting out 3-0 for the first time since 2018, Beulah had dropped its past two contests to 3A Region 4 newcomers – Lee-Scott then Glenwood. With the bounce-back win, the Bobcats are still in position to earn their second consecutive playoff appearance and complete their first winning season in six years.
“We haven’t reached the playoffs two years in a row in 20 years, which we’ll try to change that,” said head coach Matthew Johnson in an interview before the season. “We have the right guys, you know, the seniors who can do things the right way. That takes a lot of the work off of us (coaches) and allows us to reach for our goals.”
One of those key seniors, quarterback Demarion Foreman, helped Beulah rocket out to a hot start. After scampering in for a 2-yard rushing touchdown on the opening drive, he hit senior receiver Wes Grant for his third TD catch of the year to make it 21-0 before Loachapoka could respond.
In fact, the Indians didn’t get on the board until the second half, sparking a rally that was too little too late. They outscored Beulah in the second half, 15-7, but an interception late in the fourth quarter by sophomore cornerback Kason Kalla sealed the deal.
Loachapoka got on the board to start the second half on an end around to senior JK Walker that went 21 yards down the sideline to the house to make it 21-7. But Beulah wasn’t letting up that easily – junior RB Khamoni Lindsey rumbled in for his 10th rushing score of the season before Reed Maloof’s extra point made it 28-7.
Once again in a three-score hole late in the fourth quarter, Loachapoka put together a relentless drive to stick its toes back in the doorframe. Driving into Bobcat territory, a sack forced the Indians into a “do or die” 4th-and-13 situation. Desperate for points, QB Quinjavis Nelms scurried out of the pocket and threw a 50-50 ball to senior Jacarri Stone, who leapt over and snatched the ball out of the grasp of a defender for the first down to keep the game alive.
A few plays later, senior RB Anthony Wheat built on Stone’s clutch grab by bulldozing into the end zone for a TD. Loachapoka capitalized on the score, with Nelms taking a QB keeper in for the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 28-15.
Fight as they might, frequent penalties and costly turnovers squashed a Loachapoka comeback. The Indians couldn’t seem to get a snap down to start the game, and a snap over the QB’s head that was recovered for a TD by Beulah fueled the Bobcats’ early lead. Similarly, two interceptions by Nelms – including the back breaker on the final drive – helped Beulah slam the door peacefully with a kneel to run out the clock.
The win helped Beulah improve to 4-2 with its next competition set for next Thursday, Oct. 3, at BB Comer (1-4) in another region matchup. On the other hand, Loachapoka falls to 1-5 with its next action set for Friday, October 4, against Central-Coosa County (0-6).
Under the lights — Week 6
BY D. MARK MITCHELL
FOR THE OBSERVER
EAST ALABAMA —
Lee-Scott Academy (4-1) is coming off an open week after suffering its first loss of the season at Randolph County. It looks to rebound Friday against Dadeville (0-5) at Jud Scott Field.
Auburn (5-0) game against Moody was cancelled due the weather last week and will travel to Central on Friday for a huge region game.
Beauregard (4-2) lost a heartbreaker to Andalusia 27-28. Read David Yohn’s article on B1 for a recap of the game. The Hornets travel to Holtville Friday.
Benjamin Russell (3-3) beat Charles Henderson 29-0 last week and will travel to Helena Friday.
Beulah (4-2) beat Loachapoka 28-15. The Bobcats play BB Comers on Thursday night.
Booker T. Washington (4-1) lost to Bowdon, Georgia, 42-18, and will play St James in Montgomery on Friday;
Chambers Academy (5-1) thumped Morgan 52-12 and will host Evangel Alabaster on Friday;
Glenwood (5-0) game with Wadley was cancelled. The Gators host Randolph County Friday in Phenix City.
Lafayette (3-3) beat Red Level 56-8 and will be open this week;
Lanett (3-3) lost to Handley 31-12 and will be at Reeltown on Friday;
Loachapoka (1-4) plays Cenral Coosa on the road;
Notasulga (1-4) lost to Pike Lib 35-6, and will play at Verbena Friday;
Russell County (5-1) beat Valley 45-27, and will travel to Stanhope Elmore on Friday;
Smiths Station lost to Stanhope Elmore 20-0. The Panthers will play JAG at Crampton Bowl Friday; Southern Prep (1-5) lost to Macon East 56-24, and will host Lakeside in Eufaula on Friday;
Springwood (5-2) beat Heritage Christian 46-28 and will play at Evengal Christian on Friday;
Valley (2-3) lost to Benjamin Russell High School 45-27 and will travel to Sylacauga this week.
