It only took one stone for David to beat Goliath.
Granted Goliath was actually killed with a sword after falling from being hit by the stone; but the stone created the fall, created the weak moment, and created the victory.
Buford is Class AA’s perennial Goliath and beating them is a tall order for any team whether in the regular season or the playoffs.
The Wolves (10-1) are two-time defending Class AA state champions who currently average 374 yards of total offense a game and, through 11 games, have had only eight touchdowns scored on them.
As if that isn’t enough, opponent’s are averaging only 126 yards of total offense against Buford per game.
In fact, had it not been for an early season glitch against Lovett in which Buford ended a 47-game winning streak with a 28-21 loss, there wouldn’t be a scratch in the Wolves armour and more than likely they’d be sitting at No. 1 in the state having won their ninth straight region title.
Instead, they’re the No. 2 seed and will face Region 8-AA champion Jefferson at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Memorial Stadium.
“I don’t think we’re under the radar,” said Buford coach Jess Simpson prior to his team’s first round state playoff game against Pepperell. “Other teams are always ready to play us.
“Come playoff time, Buford’s still Buford and everyone knows we’re coming to play.”
Jefferson (11-0), however, is also going to come to play and doesn’t know what losing means this year as it comes in undefeated.
“We’re not going to back down,” said Jefferson quarterback Darius Minor after last week’s 21-13 win against Heard County in the first round of the Class AA state playoffs. “We’re going to practice like we normally do and come out ready to play.”
For the Dragons, this year’s ‘normal’ means nothing less than a win.
They are averaging 38 points per game thanks in part to Minor (845 yards passing, 649 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns), JJ Damons (323 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns) and Lucas Redd (647 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns).
The Dragons have a balanced offensive attack that averages 351 yards per game (238 rushing and 113 passing) and have outscored opponents by 270 points this year.
It goes without saying, however, that they’ve yet to face a defense quite like Buford’s.
Led by A.J. Cunningham (14 tackles for a loss and 6 sacks) and Kolton Houston (12 quarterback pressures and 5 tackles for a loss), the Wolves are adept at getting in the backfield — as a team they have 26 sacks and 59 tackles for a loss — and stopping their opponents.
Jefferson’s defense is also quite heralded coming in as the Dragons are allowing 13 points per game while boasting two players with over 100 tackles this season in Buddy Camp (116) and Kyle Mosley (107).
“We take a lot of pride in our defense,” said Mosley earlier this season.
And it will take manifesting that pride into action for Mosley and company to earn a berth into the state quarterfinals as Buford has 24 players who have carried the ball at least once this year and average 217 yards rushing a game.
The Wolves have always been known for having a smash-mouth running game, but this year they’ve also added an efficient passing attack that averages 14 yards per reception and has accounted for 17 touchdowns.
“After losing, we had to all realize that Buford is Buford because of how hard we work,” Houston said. “What matters most is how we finish the season.”
Granted Goliath was actually killed with a sword after falling from being hit by the stone; but the stone created the fall, created the weak moment, and created the victory.
Buford is Class AA’s perennial Goliath and beating them is a tall order for any team whether in the regular season or the playoffs.
The Wolves (10-1) are two-time defending Class AA state champions who currently average 374 yards of total offense a game and, through 11 games, have had only eight touchdowns scored on them.
As if that isn’t enough, opponent’s are averaging only 126 yards of total offense against Buford per game.
In fact, had it not been for an early season glitch against Lovett in which Buford ended a 47-game winning streak with a 28-21 loss, there wouldn’t be a scratch in the Wolves armour and more than likely they’d be sitting at No. 1 in the state having won their ninth straight region title.
Instead, they’re the No. 2 seed and will face Region 8-AA champion Jefferson at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Memorial Stadium.
“I don’t think we’re under the radar,” said Buford coach Jess Simpson prior to his team’s first round state playoff game against Pepperell. “Other teams are always ready to play us.
“Come playoff time, Buford’s still Buford and everyone knows we’re coming to play.”
Jefferson (11-0), however, is also going to come to play and doesn’t know what losing means this year as it comes in undefeated.
“We’re not going to back down,” said Jefferson quarterback Darius Minor after last week’s 21-13 win against Heard County in the first round of the Class AA state playoffs. “We’re going to practice like we normally do and come out ready to play.”
For the Dragons, this year’s ‘normal’ means nothing less than a win.
They are averaging 38 points per game thanks in part to Minor (845 yards passing, 649 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns), JJ Damons (323 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns) and Lucas Redd (647 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns).
The Dragons have a balanced offensive attack that averages 351 yards per game (238 rushing and 113 passing) and have outscored opponents by 270 points this year.
It goes without saying, however, that they’ve yet to face a defense quite like Buford’s.
Led by A.J. Cunningham (14 tackles for a loss and 6 sacks) and Kolton Houston (12 quarterback pressures and 5 tackles for a loss), the Wolves are adept at getting in the backfield — as a team they have 26 sacks and 59 tackles for a loss — and stopping their opponents.
Jefferson’s defense is also quite heralded coming in as the Dragons are allowing 13 points per game while boasting two players with over 100 tackles this season in Buddy Camp (116) and Kyle Mosley (107).
“We take a lot of pride in our defense,” said Mosley earlier this season.
And it will take manifesting that pride into action for Mosley and company to earn a berth into the state quarterfinals as Buford has 24 players who have carried the ball at least once this year and average 217 yards rushing a game.
The Wolves have always been known for having a smash-mouth running game, but this year they’ve also added an efficient passing attack that averages 14 yards per reception and has accounted for 17 touchdowns.
“After losing, we had to all realize that Buford is Buford because of how hard we work,” Houston said. “What matters most is how we finish the season.”