Nauta, Wolves looking for another fairy tale ending

BUFORD -- For most of us, fairy tale endings just aren't possible. Life usually gets in the way.<br /> <br /> Buford's Isaac Nauta is hoping he is the exception to the rule.<br /> <br /> The junior tight end is considered the No. 1 Class of 2016 prospect at his position in the nation and is mulling over FBS offers from Georgia, Ole Miss, South Carolina, and Florida State. He has set a Dec. 15th date to announcement his commitment to where he would like to continue his football prowess.<br /> <br /> But none of that is what's high on his wish list at the moment. Nauta, who will be moving back to his native Florida at the end of the semester with his family, wants to ride out of town after hoisting another state title trophy.<br /> <br /> "Buford has been great to me," Nauta said. "The coaches here made me into a pretty good player. I just want to do everything I can to help us get another championship.<br /> <br /> "Every game could be my last one here. It's going to be bittersweet no matter what happens. I feel I owe it to the coaches at Buford to announce while I am still here."<br /> <br /> Nauta and the Wolves will take on Cartersville on Friday in the Class AAAA semifinals with a berth in the championship game at stake. A win for Buford (13-0) would put it in the title game for an eighth consecutive season.<br /> <br /> It hasn't been the smooth season Nauta was hoping for. He severely injured his foot in the season opener against Trinity Christian, which forced him to miss the next game against Berkmar. He returned against McEachern despite learning it was a slight break and needed time and rest to heal. The pain has stuck with him ever since.<br /> <br /> "I felt it pop and knew I was hurt," Nauta said about the injury. "There was no way I was going to miss the McEachern game so I just tried to get ready as best I could. I've played most of the season with some pain. But I'm not going to let that keep me out now."<br /> <br /> Whatever issue he has, it didn't seem to slow him down much last week in the Wolves' 30-6 win over powerhouse Marist in the Class AAAA quarterfinals. He caught three passes for 97 yards and a touchdown that helped turn the momentum of the game.<br /> <br /> "That was probably the best I've felt all year," he said. "It's getting better but I'll definitely need to rest it until next football season."<br /> <br /> Buford tight ends coach Drew Anthony, who is in his 12th season with the Wolves, said he is one of the most complete players they have had in his time at the school. Nauta also plays defensive end.<br /> <br /> "He's a tremendous tight end. Great hands, speed, a good blocker. And, he is just as solid defensively. He's a great combo and a total football player," Anthony said. "The best part is that he is coachable, always wants to get better, and is an even better person off the field.<br /> <br /> "I'm real disappointed we're going to be losing him next year. But I'm happy for his family."<br /> <br /> Nauta will not be giving up his dream of playing college ball just because he is leaving one of the preeminent programs in Georgia and the Southeast. He will be enrolling in IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., a boarding school whose football program is considered one of the tops in the nation.<br /> <br /> "It's going to be sad to leave friends I've made but you go where your family is. I wanted to go to a school where I can continue to build on what I have been taught here so I decided to go there and they said come on," Nauta said. "They're an independent school and can't play for a state title but they play a national schedule so I'll get to play against some of the best talent out there."<br /> <br /> Which makes each game from here on out all that much more important for Nauta.<br /> <br /> "Huge, really," Nauta said. "I can't imagine leaving here and not winning that last game. That would be so disappointing. I'm going to do everything I can to help us keep the streak going.<br /> <br /> "That would be the perfect ending. Winning it all and then announcing where I want to play in college. Hopefully I can help make that come true."