Bulloch Academy is headed to the GIAA Class AAAA championship after a 44-14 semifinal win over Brookstone Friday at Gator Alley. The Gators pulled away with 37 unanswered points and are scheduled to face Stratford Academy in the final Saturday, Nov. 21, at Paulson Stadium.
The teams traded early scores. Nick Eason put Bulloch Academy ahead with a 48-yard touchdown run, and Brookstone tied it when quarterback Broughton Branch ran in after Dillon Terry’s carry set up the opportunity. A 35-yard run by Sam Hubbard helped put the Gators back in front, with Connor Perry scoring from 6 yards out.
Bulloch Academy extended its lead on a drive that included two successful fourth-down conversions and another Perry touchdown. The Gators then recovered a pooch kickoff by Case Woodrum and added a field goal. After Brookstone missed a long field-goal attempt, Perry broke away for an 80-yard score. Bulloch Academy carried a 31-7 lead into halftime.
BJ Smart scored on a short run in the third quarter. Perry added his fourth touchdown in the fourth, breaking loose for 68 yards. Brookstone scored late on a long run by Jerramyah Washington, making the final score 44-14.
Bulloch Academy’s previous state championship came in 2024. After Friday’s win, head coach Aaron Phillips credited the 15 seniors on the roster: “The 15 seniors saw the recipe. The cooks in the kitchen changed, but the recipe didn’t.”
Yolonda Harris
News Now Georgia
