In 2024, the Bulloch Academy Gators won the GIAA Class AAAA state championship. In 2025, they lost some key players from the title squad and ended up 7-3, losing in the opening round of the state playoffs.

For the 2026 season, the Gators return nine starters on offense and nine on defense, leaving head coach Aaron Phillips hopeful his team can make another run at a state title.

“I think these guys are hungry,” Phillips said. “I think they kind of realized that you can’t take any plays off. When you have a team that only has three seniors who have ever played football before, it can be tough.

“This season, we have 14 seniors who can help provide leadership,” he said. “They have led the way in the weight room, and we've implemented a lot of different things that have made the team better. I think this team definitely has the potential to be a state champion once again.”

Offense returns

On offense, the Gators averaged more than 37 points per game and should be even better in 2026.

Key losses this season include lineman Jack Lanier and running back Danye Garvin, who rushed for 1,322 yards and 21 touchdowns. Otherwise, the Gators offense returns virtually intact, led by senior quarterback Sam Hubbard (853 yards passing and 10 TDs, 789 rushing and 10 TDs), with Georgia Southern commit Billy Crider (453 yards receiving with seven TDs) at receiver, along with a trio of running backs ready to step up.

“Anytime you can return your quarterback, it's huge,” Phillips said. “We return Sam and our backup J.B. Roach, who also starts on defense. We also return Rocco Reiss and Maddox Lee at slot.

“Returning Billy Crider at receiver is huge because he keeps defenses honest and can go up and get the ball,” he said. “We also return all but one of our offensive linemen. All of those guys were sophomores and are now a year older and a year bigger and stronger. Our depth up front and at skill positions is a huge asset for us.”

Working to fill the shoes left by Garvin is junior B.J. Smart, who made the most of his opportunities filling in at times for Garvin over the last two seasons, with 347 yards rushing and four touchdowns in 2025.

“He was good enough to be the starter on any team we played last year,” Phillips said. “He had so many glimpses of being explosive and big and strong. Unfortunately, he had a kid that rushed for over 3,000 yards in front of him and is now playing in college.

“B.J. is going to have those same opportunities this year, and he is actually a little bit bigger than Danye and is a good step or two faster. He is more of a home run threat.”

Fixing the defense

The team’s Achilles heel in 2025 was their defense, which gave up 24 points per contest. In addition to a lot of points, they also gave up big plays, which often cost BA in contests that were close.

Phillips believes the defense is now more experienced and more athletic, as well.

“We changed a little bit defensively and are more of a 4-2-5 team this year,” he said. “We should be a lot better with a lot of guys getting that first year of playing defense under their belt and moving a few kids around a little.

“Up front we have Braylon Cone, who is athletic and 300 pounds and will be going to Kennesaw State, along with Slaton Roberts, Colin Grooms and Billy playing defensive end,” he said. “At linebacker, we have Cohen Hendrix, Tate Williams and Whit Oliff, who are all back and stronger than last year.

“In the secondary, we return Nick Eason Jr., who has really been impressive, along with Connor Perry and J.B. Roach, who we are counting on to try and help get everyone in the right place over there and be a vocal leader.

“We have some players who primarily play offense who we will slip over to defense when we really need them, like Sam, B.J. and Billy,” Phillips said. “We gave up too many big plays last year, which really cost us, but I feel like we are more athletic this year and have guys out there who can run to the ball and make tackles when needed.”

The Gators once again will participate in Class AAAA and have a difficult schedule, headlined by a rare early season matchup with rival Pinewood on Aug. 14 and a tall task against Tattnall Square on Aug. 28.

To start the season, Bulloch Academy will scrimmage Jenkins County on Aug. 7 in Millen at 7:30 p.m. and then host Pinewood on Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

2026 Bulloch Academy football schedule

Aug. 14 Pinewood

Aug. 21 Brentwood School

Aug. 28 at Tattnall Square

Sept. 4 at John Milledge

Sept. 11 Westfield School

Sept. 18 at Robert Toombs Academy

Sept. 25 at Strong Rock

Oct. 9 Savannah Country Day

Oct. 16 at St. Andrews School

Oct. 23 Fredrica