It’s easy to look at Tyler Epps’ size and make jokes about him getting lost amongst the offensive and defensive linemen.
    As most of Southeast Bulloch’s opponents have found out this season, Epps is pretty easy to spot when he’s celebrating in the end zone.
    Epps has been a dependable part of the Yellow Jackets’ ground game throughout his tenure at SEB, but he’s saving his best season for last. He ranks third among all area rushers with 824 yards on the ground and has scored 10 touchdowns through the season’s midway point.
    “Whenever I get the ball, I’m just focused on running hard,” Epps said. “Our line has done a great job this year for the running game. (Fellow running back Antonio McMillan) and I have been playing together forever. We split the work and take the pressure off one another.”
    For all of Epps’ individual success, he’d love nothing more than to have his team take its next step this season. Yellow Jacket squads won just seven games in Epps’ first three years, but are off to a 4-0-1 start this season.
    If SEB can keep up the pace, the Yellow Jacket seniors who have been instrumental in turning around the school’s fortunes on the football field will get their first taste of postseason action.
    “It would be huge for all of us,” Epps said. “I know we’ve all worked hard every year. It would be great to say that we got to the playoffs while we were here.”

    Madelyn Vickery has been a go-to arm for Bulloch Academy for most of her high school career. When the Lady Gators’ season was on the line, they knew just who to turn to.
    Taking the ball against Sherwood Christian Monday afternoon in the first round of the GISA Class AAA state playoffs, Vickery was nothing short of brilliant. Playing to continue her high school career, Vickery tossed a complete game three-hitter as Bulloch rolled to a 6-1 victory and advanced to the state quarterfinals.
    “I had a lot of confidence in myself,” Vickery said. “And I had a lot of confidence in my teammates behind me. We’ve all played in a lot of big games. We struggled a little early in the season, but we all know what we have to do now.”
    The Gators have moved on, but the road won’t get any easier.
    Today, Bulloch travels to Macon to take on top-ranked Tattnall Square. The Gators may be underdogs, but that didn’t stop them from upsetting Tattnall in last season’s state playoffs. It’s a tall order, but the Gators know that they can trust their ace on the mound.
    “All of us know we’re capable of winning again,” Vickery said. “Tattnall Square is a good team, but so are we. We just have to go up there and play our best game.”