(VIDEO) Game of the Week: Buford set for another huge test on eve of region schedule

LAWRENCEVILLE — Buford football is used to marquee matchups, but Friday's showdown with Archer is undoubtedly special.

"They’re the best team we (will have) played (so far this season)," Wolves coach John Ford said of the Tigers. "Deerfield Beach was outstanding; Tucker was outstanding, Newton County outstanding. But I think Archer’s the cream of the crop no doubt about that. And I think they’re the second or third best team in Class 7A right now. If they won a championship in December I would not be surprised because coach Dyer’s got himself a great squad."

Buford's squad, which includes commits to collegiate programs like Ohio State, Texas and Florida, is no slouch itself -- and the Class 5A No. 2 Wolves (3-1) are preparing for a slugfest on Friday against the Class 7A No. 5 Tigers (3-1) in Lawrenceville.

"Archer’s a team with very few if any weaknesses," Ford said. "They’re incredibly well-coached; they’re disciplined; they’re physical; they’re playing with a lot of confidence right now, really, really good on both sides of the ball, offense, defense and special teams. They’re strong on the lines of scrimmage; they’ve got athletes on the back end, a quarterback that’s playing with a lot of confidence, running backs that run hard. So we’ve certainly got our work cut out for us, but this game kind of exposes you for any weaknesses that you might have, and that’s why you schedule a team like this, because you want to get tested and you want to get better. And we believe that iron sharpens iron, and that you learn a lot about yourself playing in a game like this."

Buford has learned plenty about itself already this season in facing teams like Deerfield, and certainly the Wolves have shown they continues to be a physical program predicated on running the ball and stopping the run.

With stalwarts on the offensive line like Harry Miller (Ohio State commit) and Riley Simonds (Florida) clearing the way for running backs Derrian Brown (Texas) and Elijah Turner, the Wolves come in averaging 296 rush yards per game.  Brown has been particularly tough to stop, rushing 89 times for 688 yards (7.7 yards per carry) and 10 scores.

Yet they will face a stout challenge against am Archer defense coming off back-to-back shutouts in wins over Mill Creek (42-0) and Norcross (37-0). In fact, the Tigers, featuring Auburn-bound defensive end Colby Wooden yielded just 24 yards in the win over the Blue Devils. Clemson commits Andrew Booth and Jalyn Phillips alco anchor the secondary.

"It’s just going to be lining it up for however many plays and just doing what you have to do," Miller said of the battle in the trenches. "You’re going to have to do be disciplined, do the same the thing every play —just beat the guy in front of you and work it every time. It’s very fun because it’s local, and it’s some guys you know, and it’s a big game so it’s time to step up and get it done."

Meanwhile, the Archer spread offense, led by quarterback Carter Peevy and running back Semaje Banks will look to keep rolling against a Wolves defense yielding 268.5 yards per game -- but just 2.7 yards per rush to opposing backs.

"When we execute I think we’re very, very good," Ford said. "There’s some times offensively where we’re inefficient, and there’s some times defensively where we give up the big play. When we clean those things up we’re very, very tough to score on. We’re pretty efficient offensively. The kids play with a lot of enthusiasm; they play with a lot of joy for each other. And I love watching them play in that regard. They love playing Buford football; they love representing this unbelievable community. And they really do a good job with those kind of things, so I’m excited to see them play."