Two high-scoring offenses and two stingy defenses collide tonight in a clash of the early-season unbeatens.
    Bulloch Academy makes the 2 ½ hour bus ride to Eatonton to take on Gatewood at Sammons Stadium in what should prove to be a monumental battle.
    “They are very similar to us,” said BA head coach Terence Hennessy. “They line up in the I-formation and run the option. They have run a 5-2 defense. They are going to be bigger than we are and their defense is pretty solid. I think this will be the first big test that either of us has had.”
    The home Gators (3-0) have outpointed their opponents 152-27. They beat Piedmont Academy 37-12 in the season opener. They pounded Monsignor Donovan 67-0 in the second week. Last week, they whipped Trinity Christian School of Dublin 48-15.
    The visiting Gators (3-0) have defeated their opponents by a total of 141-31. The Gator option has been running on all cylinders and has accumulated 1,010 yards thus far.
    Hard-hitting fullback Tyce Lovett leads the ground game with 279 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries. Quarterback Lanier Olliff, who has a knack for near-perfect reads, has 223 yards and five TDS. Tailbacks Tyler Budget and Jarves Williams, who are half-brothers with totally different running styles, have combined for 306 yards and six scores.
    Through the air, Bulloch is 12-of-22 for 373 yards and five touchdowns. Olliff’s favorite target has been Hunter Perry, who has five grabs for 223 yards and four scores.
    On defense, Bulloch has held opponents to 148 yards rushing per game and has recorded five interceptions and five fumbles.
    Lovett, at linebacker, leads the rough-and-tumble squad with 17 individual stops, 15 assists, one interception and one caused fumble. Perry, at defensive end, has 13 solo tackles, 12 assists, four tackles for loss, a sack and a caused fumble. Brandon Merrill, at linebacker, has 11 individuals, 11 assists, one tackle for loss, one sack and one recovered fumble.