Bulloch Academy players were loose and relaxed after a 6:30 a.m. practice Thursday as they put the finishing touches on their preparations for Friday night’s home opener against Windsor Academy.
    “Practice went smoothly,” said BA head coach Terence Hennessy. “We go through special teams, one or two offensive plays and a couple of game scenarios. Then it’s a Chick-fil-A biscuit, a cup of Powerade or water and it’s off to class. Last week, it was 25 degrees cooler during the morning practice than it was at our normal afternoon practice time.”
    The thought process behind the pre-dawn assembly, according to Hennessy, is that it gives his players the afternoon off and allows them more time to hydrate and rest prior to kickoff.
    The Gators are coming off a season-opening 37-0 victory over First Presbyterian Christian Academy of Hinesville and are ready to strap it on in front of a home crowd.
    “I think spirits are high,” said Hennessy. “I wanted them to enjoy the win through the weekend. Then, it was time to put it behind us and start getting ready for our next opponent. We will face a much better football team this week.”
    Windsor Academy (1-0) pounded Bethlehem Christian 48-15 in its home opener last week.
    “They run a Spread offense with their quarterback in the shotgun almost every single play,” he said. “He (junior Jonathon Osborn) is a tremendous athlete and their running back (senior Joshua Brooks) is pretty darn good too. They run the ball about 60 percent of the time. They may have a pass play called but he (Osborn) may wind up on the move because he is just that good. They are just a good football team.”
    Hennessy is counting on senior defensive ends Hunter Perry and Dylan Humphries to keep Osborn from getting outside. Then, the linebacking duo of senior Joshua Bohannon and junior Tyce Lovett will lead the effort to bring him down.
    A big offensive line, led by senior Tavis Malakius, stands in the way. But the Gators faced a beefy line last week and held the Highlanders to just 50 yards rushing and 84 passing.
    Malakius, who is being recruited by Georgia Southern University, will lead the Knight defense at noseguard and his younger brother Tyler at his side at defensive tackle in the 3-5 alignment.
    “We’re gonna have to try and double team him (Tavis) in order to move him out of the way,” said Hennessy. “We may not see a 3-5 because it leaves a lot of holes open for our option to run through. We practiced against the 3-5, the 4-4 and the 5-3. We will see a lot of stunts and blitzing by their linebackers.”
    Last week, senior fullback Lovett had 107 yards and a score on 13 carries. Senior quarterback Lanier Olliff rushed for 66 yards and senior tailback Tyler Budgett added 60 and two TDs.
    Hennessy foresees a challenge as he and his staff have been working their guys hard in preparation of the upcoming battle.
    “They are a good football team,” he said. “I think we can be one. Last week, there were times when we were and then times when we weren’t. If we play consistently, limit penalties and turnovers, I think we have a good chance of winning.”