The Bulloch Academy Gators are 7-1 and ranked No. 2 in the state coming off an impressive 34-7 win over Savannah Country Day. The Gators have really turned it on over the last three weeks, having outscored their opposition 132-14. Head coach Aaron Phillips likes the direction the team is heading in and feels that they are learning different things in each victory.
“Country Day is a team that not only matched us with size, they were actually even a little bigger than us up front,” Phillips said. “They started the year slow but had really come on over the last couple of weeks. I felt like they knew we could stop the run so they tried to spread it out more. Credit to our defense we adjusted nicely and would have pitched a shutout except they scored a long play when we had some of our younger guys in the game late.”
The Gator offense has found an emerging star in running back Connor Perry who has 767 yards and 14 touchdowns with 11 trips to the end zone in the last four games. Friday B.J. Smart reminded opponents that he’s still capable of putting up big numbers as well as he scored a touchdown and had over 100 yards rushing.
“Our offensive line continues to improve and open holes for our backs, Phillips said. “We returned all but one from up front and that, combined with the talent we have in the backfield, gives us a lot of weapons and things for defenses to try and stop. Between Sam Hubbard at quarterback and B.J. and Connor along with Rocco Reiss and Maddox Lee we are pretty dangerous running the ball and have a lot of different guys who can hurt you.”
This week the Gators travel to Savannah to take on St. Andrews. The Lions come in with a record of 1-6 and have lost their last six games. Phillips knows the Gators only have two regular season games left and regardless of the opposition, he just wants to try and see his team show improvement week to week.
“If we can take care of business the next two weeks and we can hold down the No. 1 or No. 2 spot in the power rankings we will get to host throughout the playoffs. We have to just worry about us and living up to the standard of what we set regardless of who we are playing. We have a chance at playing at home and not leaving Bulloch County as the state championship is at Paulson Stadium again and that’s our ultimate goal.”
Bulloch Academy and St Andrews are set for a 7:30 start Friday in Savannah.
