It was billed as a battle between the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked teams in GIAA Class 4-A, instead Bulloch Academy forced a running clock in the second half as they rolled over Strong Rock Christian on the road winning 42-7 to improve to 6-1.

“We probably played our most complete game of the season,” said coach Aaron Phillips. “We didn’t turn the ball over, we were efficient on offense and our defense really played well. It was also probably the cleanest game we played all year in terms of a lack of penalties. I feel like our kids took this game personal as they didn’t think Strong Rock should be mentioned with us as one of the top couple teams in the state.”

The Gators wasted no time getting off to a quick start and never looking back. A 94-yard kickoff return on the opening kick by Connor Perry led to a four-yard Perry touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

B.J. Smart and Sam Hubbard added short touchdown runs to build the lead to 21-0 at the end of the first quarter. Smart and Rocco Reiss each had touchdown runs in the second quarter as the Gators extended the lead to 35-0 at the half.

Smart added his third score of the game with a 10-yard touchdown run in the third and a running clock was installed. With the Gators JV in the game the Patriots scored their only points in the fourth quarter.

While the offense was solid coach Phillips credited the Gator defense who were able to hold talented Strong Rock running back Jake Johnson to almost 100 yards below is per game average of over 170 yards rushing per game.

“Our defense definitely took the challenge of shutting Johnson down personally,” Phillips said. “He came in as one of the statistically top running backs in the state. I believe our starting defense held him to about 20 or 30 years rushing. He got a few big runs when we had our JV in at the end of the game, but even with them in I think it was closer to about 65 yards.”

Up next the Gators have a much-needed bye week followed by a home game against Savannah Country Day on Oct. 9.