With a spot in the GISA state playoffs on the line last week, the Bulloch Academy Gators came up big. A 31-6 victory over Southland Academy clinched a top-4 finish for the Gators in their region and reserved a place in the postseason.
    Bulloch held a slim 17-6 lead in the fourth quarter before junior fullback Matt Sheppard caught fire and sealed the win. His two rushing touchdowns in the final 12 minutes capped a 98 yard performance and put the game well in hand.
    “The way we run the offense, other teams might try to shut one guy down, but another will step up,” said Sheppard. “Harrison (Averitt) was running well in the first half to give us the lead. (Southland) changed some things in the second half and it let me get going a little better.”
    Sheppard has been a welcome addition to the Gators’ offensive backfield. He didn’t see much playing time last season, but with Averitt the only running back returning from 2011, Sheppard has stepped up and become a reliable weapon.
    “I was glad for the opportunity,” said Sheppard. “I think that our offense is working really well. We’ve got a lot of guys that can make things happen. I’m just excited to do my part.”

    Last week’s Region 3-AA cross country meet set the stage for a runaway victory for Screven County’s Kenbreyana "K.B." Scruggs. The Gamecocks’ sophomore turned in a time of 22:22 that was best out of the dozens of runners from around the region.
    “I wasn’t really sure of what to expect going into the race,” said Scruggs. “I know that all of us on the team have been getting better all season. I just ran a really good race.”
    Scruggs was hardly the only Screven runner to turn in a great performance.
    Scruggs finished first by eight seconds in front of teammate Laura Stewart. In all, Screven County’s seven runners all finished in the top 8 of the region meet. Those results blew away the competition as second place Laney’s point total (lower scores win in cross country team totals) was quadruple that of Screven.
    “We were really excited,” said Scruggs. “It was challenging with all of us racing our own teammates to win at the end.”
    This Saturday, Scruggs and the Gamecocks head to Carrolton for the Class AA state championships.
    “It’s a little scary,” said Scruggs. “There are going to be a lot of great runners. I’m just going to try my hardest.”