ATLANTA — The numbers look eerily similar. But the contrast in styles couldn’t be more different, and will be easily recognizable, when Buford hits the Georgia Dome turf to take on Cartersville Saturday at 4:30 p.m. for the Class AAAA state title.
Cartersville (14-0) comes in as the top-ranked team in Class AAAA and as Region 7-AAAA champions. The Wolves are 13-1, ranked No. 2, and are the Region 8-AAAA champs.
Buford leads Class AAAA in scoring (45.1 points a game) while Cartersville is No. 2 averaging 42.1 ppg. Despite having four more games than most of the classification, both teams defenses also are still the stingiest in AAAA. The Wolves have yielded a classification-low 100 points (7.1 ppg) and the Hurricanes are second giving up just 107 points (7.7 ppg) on the season.
That is where the similarities end.
The Purple Hurricanes are looking for their first state title since 1999 while Buford is going for a state-tying fourth straight title and second straight in AAAA. It is the Hurricanes first trip to the finals since winning it all in 1999. It is the ninth consecutive trip to the Georgia Dome for Buford.
Cartersville uses a devastating spread attack offense behind 6-foot-5 sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Buford runs a multiple attack heavy on the run with three running backs -- Martin Mangram, Christian Turner, Anthony Grant -- all over 700 yards rushing with 44 combined touchdowns.
The Cartersville offense vs. Buford defense matchup could be intriguing with the Hurricanes passing strength going up against a Buford secondary that is solid but has given up some big plays on the season. But the Wolves defense has allowed just 52 yards a game rushing and just over 134 total yards a game so something will have to give.
Lawrence is among the state leaders with 3,552 yards and 42 touchdowns with just four interceptions on the season. He has plenty of weapons at his disposal. Senior receiver Terrius Callahan is his favorite target (62 rec. 1,187 yards, 16 TDs) with senior tight end and 6-foot-5 Alabama-commit Miller Forristall (554-881, 10 TDs) offering huge matchup problems for any defense. Junior Antione Jefferson (38-517, 2TDs) has been a solid possession receiver. Tiamon Perrymon gives them explosive balance in the backfield with 681 yards and 20 touchdowns in just 100 carries. (That's one touchdown for every five carries.)
Senior Buford noseguard Shugg Frazier (6-2, 320) is a North Carolina State-commit and is a matchup nightmare in the trenches. A key will be if Frazier and fellow defensive lineman Cooper Simpson and linebackers Jake Simpson, Dale Craig and TD Roof can get pressure on Lawrence and force some quick throws.
For the Buford offense vs. the Cartersville defense, it will be a more strength-on-strength matchup. The Wolves ground game is nearly unstoppable behind Mangram (106-770, 25 TDs), Turner (76-751, 10 TDs), and Grant (99-741, 9TDs), and the recent return of Xavier Gantt (40-240, 4 TDs) gives them fresh legs throughout. Junior quarterback Mic Roof offers some balance completing 69 percent of his passes for 1,404 and 15 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Brandon Marsh is his favorite target with 28 catches for 438 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Hurricanes strength is a speedy defense, anchored by a solid and experienced secondary. Senior free safety Kobie Whitfield had a huge semifinal game against Bainbridge with two interceptions and a punt return for a touchdown. Junior cornerbacks Xavier Coaxum and Trase Fezzia along with Pennymon (ILB) each have an interception return for touchdowns on the season.
However, both teams have been here before, just last season in fact. The Wolves whipped the Hurricanes 27-3 in the semifinals behind a dominating defense.
But this a different Cartersville group with more experience. They are loaded with athletes. But Buford was able to wear them down last year by mauling them at the line of scrimmage.
The key for the Wolves will be if they can dominate both lines of scrimmage. If not, the Hurricanes have enough weapons to end Buford’s chance at history.
