The Bulloch Academy Gators are currently 4-1 on the season and 1-0 in region play. Since their opening season loss to Pinewood they have outscored their opposition 211-20 and are averaging over 350 yards of total offense per game, while holding their opponents to under 160 yards per contest.

“We are playing pretty well on both sides of the ball,” said Bulloch Academy coach Pat Collins. “I feel like positions and expectations of players are defined, but we know we will have a challenge on our hands this week.”

After playing teams with a combined record of 5-20 the past four weeks, the Gators will get a major test this week as they welcome in the defending state champs in the John Milledge Trojans. The Trojans beat the Gators twice last season. John Milledge won game one 29-14, and then put the Gators out of the state playoffs winning 45-15. 

“The first time we played them was a very competitive ballgame,” Collins said. “We beat them in many aspects of the game, except of course on the scoreboard. The second time I just tip my cap to them as they really put it to us.”

The Trojans are currently a perfect 5-0 on the season. They are averaging 40 points per game, and have allowed only three touchdowns all season. The two teams have two common opponents. John Lilledge defeated Pinewood 38-6, while the Gators lost 30-28 to the Patriots. Bulloch Academy beat Westfield 56-0, while the Trojans won 48-0.

The Trojans are led by junior running back Ammad Foston who is being recruited by a number of SEC schools including South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama. He has rushed for 633 yards and 11 touchdowns. Trojan dual threat quarterback junior Patrick Mcdonel has passed for 339 yards and three touchdowns, and has rushed for 132 yards and three scores.

“This team looks a lot more like a Vidalia or Toombs County team, than a GISA squad,” Collins said. “They have about 60 boys on the team. I’ve heard Foston has verbally committed to Tennessee, and he will be the best running back we face all year.”

The Gators and Trojans are set for a 7:30 kickoff at Gator Alley in Statesboro.