Buford football No. 1 in coaches poll; Falcons, Raiders ranked

Georgia's high school football coaches agree with the state's prep sports writers about one thing: Buford is No. 1.

The Wolves, already ranked No. 1 by the state's AP poll, were put in the top spot by the preseason GaSports.com coaches poll, released Tuesday.

Buford finished the 2007 season 15-0, claiming the Class AA title. And while the Wolves graduated a number of players -- including nine Division I football signees -- Buford still has a lot of talent remaining.

Another team ripe with talent, Flowery Branch, enters the season ranked sixth in Class AAA. The Falcons were not ranked by the AP poll but did receive votes.

Meanwhile, in Class AAAA, Habersham Central enters the season ranked fifth. The Raiders also graduated several key players from their '07 squad -- including University of Georgia signee and state record-breaking receiver Tavarres King -- but Habersham coach Gene Cathcart believes his team can make up for those losses.

Habersham will find out early just how good its team may be, taking on Region 8-AAAA rival Cedar Shoals on Friday in Athens. The Jaguars are currently ranked sixth.

Flowery Branch also takes on a ranked opponent in its first game, traveling to face No. 10 Stephens County in Toccoa.

Buford, meanwhile, travels to Texas this weekend to take on Mansfield-Timberview on Saturday.

GaSports.com Football Coaches Poll, Aug. 26
(AREA TEAMS IN ALL CAPS)

Class A
1. Emanuel County Institute
2. Clinch County
3. Lincoln County
4. Wilcox County
5. Athens Academy
6. Bremen
7. Washington-Wilkes
8. Twiggs County
9. Brookstone
10. Landmark Christian

Class AA
1. BUFORD
2. Charlton County
3. Dublin
4. Cook
5. Fitzgerald
6. Brooks County
7. Greene County
8. Henry County
9. Jefferson County
10. Toombs County

Class AAA
1. Cairo
2. Carver, Columbus
3. LaGrange
4. Carrollton
5. Baldwin
6. FLOWERY BRANCH
7. St Pius X
8. Carver, Atlanta
9. Shaw
10. Stephens County

Class AAAA
1. Griffin
2. Ware County
3. Tucker
4. Heritage, Conyers
5. HABERSHAM CENTRAL
6. Cedar Shoals
7. Marist
8. Westside, Macon
9. Thomas County Central
10. Salem

Class AAAAA
1. Lowndes
2. Camden County
3. Northside, Warner Robins
4. Newnan
5. Norcross
6. Walton
7. Grayson
8. Valdosta
9. M.L. King
10. Tift County