|
||
|
|
||
Since 2000, Buford is a perfect 6-0 in semifinal games played at the Georgia Dome, and while the location for this year’s semifinal matchup is different, the top-ranked Wolves hope to have the same success.
This year only the finals of each classification will be played at the Atlanta arena, meaning Buford will have to win one last home game in order to reach the team’s preseason goal.
“Back in January our goal was to get back to the Dome,” senior quarterback Michael May said. “It just so happens that this year it’s the state championship game.”
Playing one final home game has provided the seniors like May with a little extra motivation.
“We know no matter what, win, lose or tie, it’s our last home game,” May said. “That has a lot to do with how we’re going to approach this game.”
The game should prove to be Buford’s biggest test so far this year. Tonight, the No. 1-ranked Wolves (13-0) will play host to Region 1-AA’s Fitzgerald (11-2), a team that has won three consecutive road playoff games to advance to the semifinals.
“We’re playing a real quality opponent,” Buford coach Jess Simpson said. “This is the best team we’ve played all year, top to bottom.”
Fitgerald’s coach shares that same respect toward Buford.
“They don’t have any weaknesses,” Purple Hurricanes coach Bobby Pruitt said of the Wolves. “They have size, speed and there’s not too much you can exploit on them.”
While the Wolves and the Purple Hurricanes’ run to the semifinals have been different — all of Buford’s games have been played in the comfort of Tom Riden Stadium — the two teams are rather similar.
Both possess a strong running game, Buford’s anchored by senior Cody Getz (1,034 yards, 21 TDs) and junior Storm Johnson (1,015 yards, 18 TDs), while Fitzgerald’s features junior fullback Nick Williams and senior running back Jemea Thomas, who has verbally committed to Georgia Tech.
Both squads also pride themselves on winning as a team and are approaching tonight’s game as if it were any other Friday night.
“We haven’t done anything different,” said Pruitt of his team’s preparation. “It doesn’t matter who you play this week, we’re approaching it like we do all our games.”
Even if this game is yet another road game for Fitzgerald, which has played five consecutive away games.
“You’ve got to be ready to play no matter where you’re at,” Pruitt said. “It helps to stay at home, but when it’s all said and done you just gotta go out there and play football.”
The fact that Buford is the defending Class AA state champions also hasn’t played a factor in the game plan.
“We haven’t talked about that at all this week,” Pruitt said.
The Purple Hurricanes may not be focused on the Wolves’ success last year, the players, specifically the seniors at Buford are more than aware of what’s at stake tonight.
“These guys have really been waiting for this,” Simpson said. “These kids, fair or unfair, they’re not going to be satisfied until they win the last game, and they feel that’s how they are going to be judged.”
Comments