The Bulloch Academy Gators are 2-0 on the season but got quite a scare last Friday as they came from behind for a 36-33 victory over Brentwood at Gator Alley.

The Gators trailed by 19 points in the third quarter before mounting a 22-0 run and escaping after Brentwood fumbled inside the Gator 25-yard line with just over a minute to play.

“The one good thing we learned about our team is we don’t quit,” Phillips said. “When we were down 33-14, we could have hung our heads but they just kept on fighting. We couldn’t get out of our own way in the first half but we played pretty well in the second half and found a way to make the plays and win the game.”

The Gators had two fumbles and an interception and the two teams combined for 25 penalties in the game. Coming off a sloppy season opener which saw a couple touchdowns negated by penalties, Phillips knows there are some areas to clean up.

“Self-inflicted wounds like putting the ball on the bound, penalties and blown coverages are things that will get you beat,” Phillips said. “We were able to overcome that Friday but that is a recipe for a loss with the teams we have left on our schedule. It’s good to have a game like that and see what you’re made of but we have to clean things up this week.”

This week Bulloch Academy faces their toughest opponent of the season as they travel to Macon to take on Tattnall Square. Coming off a 0-10 season, the Trojans come in 2-0 and have outscored their opponents 82-9 in those two contests.

“I feel like we have the toughest schedule in the GIAA this year,” Phillips said. “It was a lopsided game for us last year (BA won 52-13) but this is a totally different team. They picked up a lot of guys and the ones that were there are a year older. They have two Hall of Fame coaches in head coach Barney Hester and assistant Mark Farriba and they do a great job.”

In a battle between the #2 ranked Trojans and the #3 ranked Gators Phillips knows it will be the little things that will determine who comes out on top.

“We can’t give them extra possessions with penalties and turnovers,” Phillips said. “We had 502 yards of offense against a very good defense Friday so I think we can move the ball. I also think we have to come out and play better early. I thought in both our games we came out a little flat and we can’t do that this week.”

The Gators and Trojans kick off at 7:30 Friday in Macon.