DUBLIN — For three quarters on a muddy, rain-soaked field, Bulloch Academy battled to a draw with the number one team in the state.
    But, in the fourth eight minutes, Trinity Christian School's 210-pound junior running back Colby Jackson finally wore the Gator defense, scoring twice to lead the Crusaders to a 14-0 win.
    With the loss, the Gators drop to 4-5 overall but, more importantly, 0-2 in GISA Region 2-AA play as the loss puts their playoff chances at slim-to-none. Trinity improved to 8-1 overall and 2-0 in the region.
    Bulloch, and perhaps fate, kept the Crusaders from the end zone time and time again.
    A Chris Rogers 26-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter was wide. Defensive end Drew Cheshire recovered a fumble to stop a drive after linebacker James Conner met Jackson and quarterback Kolby Shepherd in the backfield.
    A second-quarter drive was halted when Jordan Walker pounced on a loose ball. Rogers' third-quarter 37-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Michael Kimbrell. The Bulloch defense withstood the Crusaders, letting the home squad rack up yardage but not yielding the score.
    But Jackson finally overwhelmed the undersized Gators, carrying the ball an amazing 42 times for 205 yards.
    The first TCS score came after BA quarterback Walker lost the handle of the wet ball at the Gator 15 on the last play of the third quarter. Three plays later, Jackson rumbled in from seven yards out.
    After a three-and-out for the Gators, Trinity put together a 10-play, 46-yard drive for their final score. Jackson punched the ball into the end zone from seven yards out again.
    The slick field and the tough Trinity defenders also proved too much for the BA finesse offense. The Gator option netted just 68 yards with Darden getting 39 on 16 carries and Walker limited to 26 on 11 carries.
    Bulloch Academy travels to Macon next Friday night to battle Region 2-AA foe Windsor Academy.