While Bulloch Academy's spring sports concluded last week, the football team is already focused on what the 2015 season will bring this fall.

    But focusing — along with weight room workouts and other off-the-field drills — are as close to the game as the Gators will get for the time being. In following with the reccomendations made by the GISA, Bulloch Academy isn't conducting the traditional full-pads spring program that it has held in the past.

    Still, it's never too early to start speculating about what the 2015 Gators will look like in just a few months.

Overview

    After finishing the 2014 season 7-5 — and with a first round playoff departure — the Gators are looking to build off the momentum of last season and carry it into this year. It will be a tough task in front of Bulloch Academy head coach Terence Hennessy, as BA graduated 11 seniors from last year’s squad.

    “We’re going to have to regroup. We lost 11 seniors, six or seven of them started for us and we lost two of our captains,” Hennessy said.

    Despite losing such a core group, Hennessy said the goals for this year are the same goals he sets for his team every year. Win a region title, then play for a state championship.

    “I’m not real big on our record. The first seven games don’t really matter. What matters is the last four region games of the season,” Hennessy said. “The bar never changes. We want to win a region title and eventually a state championship.

You want to try to win every game. We want to win championships

    The Gators have some returning players that should log big minutes for BA. Here’s some key factors for the Gators as they enter a new season.

Who to watch

    Starting quarterback Lanier Olliff will return to the team for his senior year. Hennessy said he expects Olliff to be one of the leaders for the Gators this year.

    “Last year we weren’t sure who the starter was going to be, but he won the job. He’s definitely got to step up for us, I mean he’s the quarterback so he’s got to be a leader for us,” Hennessy said.

    Senior Hunter Perry will also be a player to watch this year, and with his size he’s not hard to miss. The Gators’ 6-foot-4 220 pound tightend could be making a move to the offensive line this year.

    Last year Perry played wide receiver and tightend and was listed as a linebacker, however, with some seniors graduating from the offensive line this year his talents may be helpful on the line.

    Strengths:

The Gators will be strong at the skills positions such as quarterback and widereciever, Hennessy said.

    BA will be returning junior rusher Tycee Lovett, who should also get some playing time at outside linebacker this season.

    “He’s probably going to play both ways, and I’d be surprised if he left the field,” Hennessy said.

    Josh Bohannon will also be returning to the Gators’ rushing core.

    Despite having key players come back in key positions, Hennessy said his team is still missing a “gamechanger” like they had last year.

    This year the Gators will be without leading rusher Dylan Stuckey, along with Will Rushing and Andrew Howell.

Side note

    The Gators lost two key pieces to the offensive line from last year’s squad. This year, senior Braxton Brinson will be expected to lead a young group for the Gators line.

    “Braxton is probably going to be our only returning senior on the offensive line so we’re going to count on him a lot,” Hennessy said. “He’s got to make sure our blocking scheme is straight and that we know what we’re doing.”