BUFORD — Jess Simpson holds a special place in his heart for every team he has coached in his 11 years at the helm of Buford football.
But even he admits that the 2015 team represents something special for him.
Two of his sons -- senior defensive/offensive lineman Cooper and junior linebacker Jake -- are playing key roles as the Wolves make another drive toward a state title, causing the usually stoic coach to have to walk a fine line between playing the calm coach as compared to the cheering father.
“I’m think I am a little closer to this group because of Cooper and Jake,” Simpson said. “Plus, this is a real hard-working, blue-collar team. We don’t have the amount of superstar-type players we’ve had in the past. It’s just a bunch of hard-working kids who are trying to get better each week. It’s been a great group to be around.
“There have been a couple of times this year, especially with Jake, where I have really wanted to jump up and yell like most dads would but I had to catch myself. But I also realize that most dads don’t get to be with their sons until after they get home from work late in the day. I get to spend four hours every day with mine (after school) so that means a lot to me.”
Cooper Simpson -- who is mulling the armed services route has offers from the programs at West Point (Army), Annapolis (Navy), and Colorado Springs (Air Force) and has started the past two years -- said this year has also been extra special for him.
“I think because I get to be on the same team with Jake,” Cooper said. “He was on the scout team last year and didn’t get to play so seeing him work like he did and make the team this year has been kind of a dream come true for me. It has been a lot of fun.”
A year ago, Jake Simpson was contemplating life without football.
“It was tough as a sophomore. I was on the scout team and I starting asking myself by the end of the season why am I doing this,” Jake said. “There was a thought to not coming back out (this year). But I talked to Cooper and I wanted to be a part of the team and I just started working harder and trying to get better. It has been a lot of fun this year because I get to be with my brother and my dad.”
However, both Cooper and Jake said despite being the coach’s sons there hasn’t been any extra pressure put on them one way or another.
“They are my sons but I let the coaches coach them,” Jess Simpson said. “When they’re out on the field they’re like any of the other players. If they mess up they hear about it.”
“I wouldn’t want to be treated different, and I’m not,” Cooper said. “And I don’t feel any extra pressure to perform just because the coach is my dad. I want to do well for my team and myself. I don’t need any other motivators.”
“When I was struggling last year dad just said do what the coaches tell you and work hard. I think he wanted to see me do well but I know it all depended on what I did and not what anyone was saying,” Jake said. “It’s meant more to me this year because I was treated just like one of the team.”
But, when talking about Jake’s rise this season, Jess Simpson almost looked a little flush, like any proud father would.
“I think he has been one of the biggest surprises on our team this year just because of what he went through last year,” Jess Simpson said after a moment’s reflection. “He really earned his stripes, and as a father it really made me proud to see his improvement and how he hard he worked to get there.”
With the Wolves preparing to take on Woodward Academy Friday night in the Class AAAA semifinals at Tom Riden Stadium, all three know that their time together on the field is drawing to a close, no matter what happens. They are looking for their second straight Class AAAA title, fourth straight overall, and eighth in the last nine seasons.
“We don’t want it to end just yet,” Cooper said. “The seniors want to go out as state champions again so we’re working hard to get that one last game. But no matter what happens, this year has been the most fun for me because I’ve gotten to spend it with my dad and my brother. I wouldn’t have wanted things any other way.”
"We definitely don't want the (state title) streak to come to an end," Jake said. "There's some pressure to make sure that doesn't happen. But we like the pressure around here."
Father Simpson said what he’ll look at after the season is over, whether it’s Friday night or eight days later, is what kind of job has he done outside of the office with Cooper and Jake.
“Boys are like a quiver full of arrows. ‘Have you prepared them enough to be shot off into the world.’ That is probably the thing I think about most, and hopefully I have prepared them for what’s out there. Nothing scares me more than that,” he said.
Not even opposing offenses like Woodward Academy, which is averaging 39.8 points a game.
