By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
The Escambia County Blue Devils got mangled, 28-0, by Class 4A, Region 1 power Andalusia last Friday, October 11, at Herbert Barnes Stadium.
The Blue Devils struggled to create scoring chances during the game against a strong Bulldogs defense.
Andalusia got off to a quick start, attempting a 44-yard field goal during its first offensive drive. But the field goal fell short, and possession was turned over to ECHS.
The Blue Devils were forced to punt the football away, and the ECHS defense created the first home-team highlight of the contest, forcing a fumble with just under five minutes left to go in the first. The Bulldogs recovered, and the Blue Devils defense continued to stand strong in hopes of helping set up a scoring opportunity for the team’s offense.
With 3:20 left to go in the first quarter, it seemed that the Blue Devils would have an opportunity to make a run into the red zone, but the opportunity was cut short when the Andalusia defense scored on a pick-6 off ECHS quarterback Jacob Hammac’s pass for all the points the Bulldogs would need. The PAT kick made it 7-0.
For the remainder of the first half, both teams made defensive stances to hold each other at bay, and ECHS retired to the locker room trailing 7-0.
AHS entered the third quarter with all cylinders firing against the Blue Devils defense. The Bulldogs struck on a 1-yard touchdown run with 3:26 left to play in the third quarter. The extra point kick made it 14-0.
The scoring luck continued for the visiting team in the fourth quarter, as the Bulldogs struck again on runs of 4 and 3 yards.
The loss puts ECHS at 3-2 in Class 4A, Region 1 play, tied for second place with Andalusia (also 3-2). Overall, the Blue Devils record stands at 4-3.
ECHS will travel to Mobile this Friday, October 18, and face the state’s number-one ranked Class 4A team, UMS-Wright, which has clinched at least a tie for the region’s top spot,