BUFORD — Buford’s Jess Simpson and Stephens County’s Frank Barden were in full ‘coach-speak’ mode this week.
With the two teams set to meet Friday night at Tom Riden Stadium in Buford for the Region 8-AAAA title, both coaching icons heaped praise upon each other’s program; both downplayed their team’s accomplishments; and both said they realize what is at stake.
“Coach Barden always does a great job,” Simpson said. “He built great teams at Cartersville and now is doing the same at Stephens. What I know is that this is the best team we’ve faced since McEachern and probably the best offensive line we’ll see all year, no matter who we play.
“It will take our best game and we’ll need it. With the depth and talent of (Region) 5-AAAA (which 8-AAAA will matchup with in the first round) getting the No. 1 seed is crucial for the playoffs.”
Barden wasn't far behind.
“Buford sets the bar in (Class) AAAA and for most classifications about how to run a program and the success they have had,” Barden said. “We haven’t played a team like Buford yet so we’ll have to raise our level of play if we want to beat them. We know we get a home game (for the first round) but we really want to get that No. 1 seed to give ourselves our best chance.”
Most observers of Region 8-AAAA felt all along that the region title would come down to a showdown between Buford (8-1, 6-0 Region 8-AAAA) and Stephens County (8-1, 6-0), just as it did a year ago. The Wolves routed the Indians 56-0 in Toccoa in 2014 for the region crown on the way to their first Class AAAA state title and third straight overall.
But while the ‘self-described experts’ penciled the Indians into the season finale against Buford for a shot at the region title before the season began, Barden said he was far from convinced, even during the season. They dropped a tough 34-30 game to Class AAA No. 7 Elbert County early on and managed to squeak out a pair of one-point wins over North Hall (14-13) and White County (21-20) in region play or they could be looking at heading to Buford just trying to get into the playoffs.
“Honestly, we kind of looked at this year as a rebuilding year because we had so many young guys that were going to have to start,” said Barden, who Indians have reeled off seven straight wins. “We found a way to win some close games or we could be in bigger trouble. But this team has really developed over the year.
“We weren’t that great in some games but found a way to win. We start eight sophomores and one freshman so they have looked young at times but also played above their years at times. But this is turning out to be a special team and I don’t think they’re done yet.”
Buford battled some early suspensions and dealt with key injuries all season yet comes in riding a six-game win streak. The Wolves will finally be at near-capacity when Xavier Gantt makes his return from injury. The senior running back was expected to be the opening-game starter but has been out all season.
“It will be great to get him back,” Simpson said. “He has looked real good in practice. This is probably the healthiest we’ve been all season. It’s coming at a good time.”
Both teams definitely seem to be peaking at the right time. And both love to rely on their ground games.
The Indians have relied on junior A.J. Howard and sophomore Hassan Brown in the backfield for the injured Tyreik Cunningham and gotten a solid effort from sophomore quarterback Jackson Bell to run the show.
Barden said they won’t deviate from what has brought them some success but also knows the Wolves defense will offer them their biggest challenge of the season so far. Buford has allowed just 18 total points (3.0 points per game) in region play. Stephens County is averaging 27.1 ppg in region contests and 28 ppg overall.
“We’re going to have to be balanced. You can’t just line up and beat them with the run. They are too big and strong up front to do that,” Barden said.
Simpson felt much the same way. But he said they will have to find a way for situational success against the Indians on both sides of the ball. However, Buford has scored a Class AAAA-best 428 points (47.5 ppg) while the Indians have yielded just 13.4 ppg on the season so something will have to give.
“The key will be on first and third downs,” Simpson said. “We need to do a good job of getting some positive yards on first down when we have the ball and our defense will need to find ways to get off the field and limit them on third downs.”
Regardless of the outcome, Barden and the Indians already have completed two of their bucket-list items for the season.
“Our goal coming into the season was to finish one spot higher than last year,” Barden said. “We were third last year after losing to Buford so we’ve already hit that goal with a second-place finish at worst and a home playoff game, which was another one of our goals.
“Are we ahead of where I thought we would be in our second year together as a program? I don’t know. But no matter what happens Friday, it’s been a fun year so far. We’re just ready to get going on the next phase of the season.”
