Going out on a positive note will be the aim of the Bulloch Academy Gators tonight as they host Memorial Day School at Gator Alley.
Bulloch (5-5, 1-2) was eliminated from the playoff hunt three weeks ago when it lost to Trinity Christian School 14-0 in Dublin. In the revamped playoff system of the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA), only the top two teams from each region, instead of the top four, advance to post-season play. Edmund Burke Academy, along with TCS, will represent Region 2-AA.
A victory will give the Gators a winning record in a so-called rebuilding season.
“Finishing strong will only carry over positive thoughts for next year,” said BA head coach Clint Morgan. “If we win this game, we’ll finish with a winning record, will have won two in a row for the first time this season and will have finished the season by winning three of the last four games. We’re only losing three seniors so finishing strong is very important for next year’s returners.”
The three seniors, James Conner, Trevor Darden and Jeremiah Masters, will be honored at halftime with the school’s other senior fall sports athletes McCall Haisten (cheerleading), Kim Denton (softball), Kacie Lanier (softball), William Spigener (soccer), Sam Hall (soccer) and Wil Hall (soccer). Both Darden and Masters were also soccer players.
But for the seniors to go out with a win, the Gators must get by a pretty good Blue Thunder squad.
Michael Thompson, a Memorial alum and former Georgia Southern University football player, is in his first year at the school’s gridiron helm. With limited numbers to work with, he has turn last season’s winless squad into a competitor with a 4-5 record.
“Michael is doing things right,” said Morgan. “He’s teaching those guys discipline, responsibility and the basic fundamentals of football.”
The majority of the Blue Thunder’s offense should be aerial as a young left-handed gunslinger has passed for over 1,000 yards.
Freshman Sal Sanchez is 64-147-7 for 1,193 yards and 10 touchdowns. His leading receiver is senior tailback Lucas Martinez, who has 34 catches for 660 yards and eight scores.
“Sanchez throws the ball very well,” Morgan said of the pocket passer. “He’s got the mechanics of a big-time quarterback. He’s got great fundamentals and good skills. He’s really neat to watch.”
The BA secondary will get a test, but with 13 interceptions and an average of just 67 passing yards given up per game, Morgan feels confident his defensive backfield will hold up.
Martinez leads the MDS running attack with 715 yards on 60 carries and one score. Senior fullback Sonny Bielatta gets the call a good bit also.
“Memorial likes to run Bielatta between the tackles,” said Morgan. “He is big and strong, but Martinez can also get outside on you with the sweeps and options.”
Conner, BA’s top linebacker, had a 13-tackle night in a 40-12 romp over Windsor last week and leads the BA defense with 122 total tackles (71 solos, 51 assists). His partner, Michael DeLoach, is second on the team with 80 tackles (37, 43). Other leaders are strong safety Ethan Lovett (46, 33), defensive tackle Ben Newton (49, 27) and defensive end Drew Cheshire (33, 34).
Offensively, Darden needs just 100 yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark. Quarterback Jordan Walker has 790 yards and eight scores on the ground. He has completed 37 passes for 527 yards and seven touchdowns against four interceptions. Walker’s leading target is wide out Ethan Lovett, who has caught 18 balls for 268 yards and six TDs.
Bulloch (5-5, 1-2) was eliminated from the playoff hunt three weeks ago when it lost to Trinity Christian School 14-0 in Dublin. In the revamped playoff system of the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA), only the top two teams from each region, instead of the top four, advance to post-season play. Edmund Burke Academy, along with TCS, will represent Region 2-AA.
A victory will give the Gators a winning record in a so-called rebuilding season.
“Finishing strong will only carry over positive thoughts for next year,” said BA head coach Clint Morgan. “If we win this game, we’ll finish with a winning record, will have won two in a row for the first time this season and will have finished the season by winning three of the last four games. We’re only losing three seniors so finishing strong is very important for next year’s returners.”
The three seniors, James Conner, Trevor Darden and Jeremiah Masters, will be honored at halftime with the school’s other senior fall sports athletes McCall Haisten (cheerleading), Kim Denton (softball), Kacie Lanier (softball), William Spigener (soccer), Sam Hall (soccer) and Wil Hall (soccer). Both Darden and Masters were also soccer players.
But for the seniors to go out with a win, the Gators must get by a pretty good Blue Thunder squad.
Michael Thompson, a Memorial alum and former Georgia Southern University football player, is in his first year at the school’s gridiron helm. With limited numbers to work with, he has turn last season’s winless squad into a competitor with a 4-5 record.
“Michael is doing things right,” said Morgan. “He’s teaching those guys discipline, responsibility and the basic fundamentals of football.”
The majority of the Blue Thunder’s offense should be aerial as a young left-handed gunslinger has passed for over 1,000 yards.
Freshman Sal Sanchez is 64-147-7 for 1,193 yards and 10 touchdowns. His leading receiver is senior tailback Lucas Martinez, who has 34 catches for 660 yards and eight scores.
“Sanchez throws the ball very well,” Morgan said of the pocket passer. “He’s got the mechanics of a big-time quarterback. He’s got great fundamentals and good skills. He’s really neat to watch.”
The BA secondary will get a test, but with 13 interceptions and an average of just 67 passing yards given up per game, Morgan feels confident his defensive backfield will hold up.
Martinez leads the MDS running attack with 715 yards on 60 carries and one score. Senior fullback Sonny Bielatta gets the call a good bit also.
“Memorial likes to run Bielatta between the tackles,” said Morgan. “He is big and strong, but Martinez can also get outside on you with the sweeps and options.”
Conner, BA’s top linebacker, had a 13-tackle night in a 40-12 romp over Windsor last week and leads the BA defense with 122 total tackles (71 solos, 51 assists). His partner, Michael DeLoach, is second on the team with 80 tackles (37, 43). Other leaders are strong safety Ethan Lovett (46, 33), defensive tackle Ben Newton (49, 27) and defensive end Drew Cheshire (33, 34).
Offensively, Darden needs just 100 yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark. Quarterback Jordan Walker has 790 yards and eight scores on the ground. He has completed 37 passes for 527 yards and seven touchdowns against four interceptions. Walker’s leading target is wide out Ethan Lovett, who has caught 18 balls for 268 yards and six TDs.
