No. 1 Buford anxious to play after week off

BUFORD - After a two week layoff, the Class AA No. 1-ranked Buford football team is ready to hit somebody besides themselves.

That doesn't sound good for the Rabun County Wildcats, who travel down I-985 from the northeast Georgia mountains to play the Wolves Friday night in both teams' Region 8-AA opener.

"Our guys are anxious to get out there and play somebody. We've had to curb back a little on practice. The defense has really been hitting and is ready to go," Buford coach Dexter Wood said.

Buford (1-0) destroyed Class AAA Central-Carroll two weeks ago, 45-0, and it could've been worse. Wood said it was the best season-opening game he's ever seen played by a team.

"It was a dominating win. The defense just played unbelievable, and we put all three phases of the game together. It was one of the best performances since I've been here," Wood said.

The Wildcats (0-2) are rebuilding and come off a 54-18 loss to Robbinsville (N.C.) last week.

Wood said they won't look past the Wildcats, especially with it being a region game.

"That gives us a little extra incentive but these guys want to win every game and I haven't seen a let down in their eyes," Wood said.

The only downside for the Wolves is that starting lineman Neil Brown will miss his first-ever start with a hamstring injury.

"If it was the playoffs he probably would play, but after what happened (to Georgia's Fred Gibson last week) we'll hold him out to give him time to heal," Wood said.