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            The Bulloch Academy Gators reached their season-long goal of winning their first region football championship in 11 years last Friday night.

            Now, it’s time to turn their thoughts to a grander achievement.

            “I apologized to our guys about making statements during the season that our ultimate goal was the region championship,” said BA head coach Clint Morgan. “If that was our ultimate goal, then we should be satisfied. Our kids aren’t satisfied with just winning a region title. Each week in the playoffs is a new rung on a new ladder. The Class AA state championship is at the top of that ladder.”

            Bulloch takes the first step on that ladder tonight, hosting the Heritage Hawks in the first round of the GISA Class AA state playoffs. Game time is 7:30 p.m. As per GISA guidelines, admission is $7 per person (kindergarten students and up). BA athletic passes and faculty passes are not valid for playoff games. The only passes which will be accepted are the GISA coaches’ passes (coach and spouse), GOAO officials’ passes and media passes.

            The Hawks come in with a 6-4 record and are the fourth-seeded team from Region 4-AA.

            “Typically, a fourth seed comes in with a chip on their shoulder,” said Morgan. “They feel like the underdog and play like they have something to prove.”

            The squad from Newnan has amassed 3,383 total yards (2,923 on the ground and 460 through the air) and scored 260 points. As a comparison, the 7-3 Gators have tallied 2,851 yards (2,425 rushing, 426 passing) and have scored 238 points.

            “These guys aren’t a typical fourth seed,” said Morgan. “They’ve won six games and beaten the champions from their region. They have scored a lot of points on a lot of people. They play with the confidence of a number-one seed. We will have our hands full.”

            The Hawks run a punishing, ground-oriented offense which relies heavily on power.

            “It’s the old double-wing,” said Morgan. “It’s been around a long time and a lot of schools have had great success with it. For a fan, it’s probably going to be boring but for an opposing coach, it’s very difficult to prepare for.
            “Coaches always talk about not being able to simulate what an opposing team will run. We can simulate what they do and what they run but what we can’t simulate is how much they trust their offense. It is not a big-play offense but they are very, very jacked with a four-yard gain. Do the math.”

            Fullback Stuart Bready is a power runner while wingback Candler Rich is a speedster who is a threat to make something happen. Linemen Mills Adams and Michael Wright lead the way.

            Morgan knows how dangerous the ball-control offense of the Hawks can be.

            “With a team that controls the clock as much as they do,” he said, “we can’t afford to give away any possessions. That could be by way of turnovers, penalties or blown assignments.”

            On defense, Heritage runs a 4-3 with numerous outstanding players.

            “Logan Kimbell does a good job at defensive end,” said Morgan. “Bready is very good at defensive tackle and John Veal does a good job at linebacker. Max Owens does a great job at cornerback.”

            Morgan has tried to impress upon his players the impact of tonight’s contest.

            “During the season, we tell our kids every week to play like it’s their last game,” he said. “Well, reality is reality. A loss means it is the last game. For our seniors, it would be their last game ever.”

The playoff contest will be broadcast live on both the Internet and on the radio. The Statesboro Herald’s ‘Friday Night Live’ duo of Don Wilson and Phil Boyum call the game which will be webcast on www.statesboroherald.com while the tandem of Chandler Dennard and Daryl Evans will broadcast on ESPN 850 AM.