Bulloch Academy puts its four-game win streak on the line tonight as the Gators host a very strong Brentwood War Eagle team from Sandersville.
    “Every week, the opponents get better and better,” said BA head football coach Ronnie Hodges. “Bethesda was probably the most athletic team we’ve seen but Brentwood is probably the best all-around team we’ve faced so far this season. They are fundamentally sound on both sides of the ball and on special teams.”
    After a season-opening 48-7 loss to John Milledge Academy, Brentwood has won three straight using a modified Wing-T offense and a tough 50 series defense.
“They beat Piedmont 14-6, Gatewood 28-14 and Pinewood 20-19 in the last minute of the game,” said Hodges. “They mix the run and the pass well, use a lot of misdirection and have enough speed to get outside. Their backfield personnel are quick and block real well.”
According to Hodges’ scouting report, senior wingback Garrett Riggs is the leader of the squad and runs with authority. He is also the team’s leading pass receiver. Junior tailback Nick Pullen is as good of a blocker as he is a runner. The two complement each other well.
The Eagles’ favorite plays are the sweep and the counter trap and two superb tackles lead the way. Juniors Tory Mimbs (6-1, 185) and Alex Peskoe (5-11, 175) are good trap and sweep blockers and lead the running backs into the holes.
Bulloch’s defense, which contained the Wing-T offense of Trinity Christian School last week in a 28-0 victory in Dublin, will have to put on a repeat performance against the Eagles.
“They are very similar to Trinity but with a little more speed,” said Hodges.
Against the Crusaders, junior linebacker Zach Sapp had 10 solo tackles and four assists while senior linebacker Loy Waters had six individual stops and six assists and junior defensive end Jarret Humphries had five solos and seven assists.
Through four games, Humphries leads the defense with 29 individuals, 23 assists, three sacks and two pass breakups. He is followed by sophomore defensive lineman Andrew Howell (24, 18), Sapp (20, 24), senior cornerback Harrison Averitt (15, seven) and Waters (13, 14).
Bulloch’s defense has also limited opponents to a little over 18 points per game and 274 yards (147 rushing , 126 passing) per contest.
Brentwood’s defensive line is anchored by 230-pound defensive tackle Zack Smith and will be a formidable challenge for the Gator option.
“Their linebackers are also very good too,” said Hodges.
Through four games, the Gators have rolled up the offensive numbers. They are averaging 387 yards per game (328 rushing and 60 passing) and a little over 36 points per outing.
Senior tailback Harrison Averitt has rushed for 648 yards on 43 carries and scored five times. Quarterback Loy Waters has 210 yards and six TDs while junior Matt Sheppard has 180 yards and two scores and senior Bailey Smith has 138 yards and one score.
“We’ve had a good week of practice,” said Hodges. “This group is loose but they are focused on the job at hand. We’ve got to play very sound football in all three phases (offense, defense, special teams) of the game in order to beat Brentwood.”