BUFORD — The more things change for the Buford football team, the more they stay the same.
The loss of 25 seniors -- 15 of whom signed to play for collegiate teams -- plus the nation's top tight end in prospect Isaac Nauta (who moved to Florida), would certainly invoke rebuilding strategies for most programs -- not necessarily so for the Wolves. They look at it as more of a retooling and opportunity for the "next man" to step up and keep things rolling. And that is the mentality coach Jess Simpson said they are instilling into one of their more inexperienced teams in recent memory, as they also try to capture a fourth consecutive state title.
"We don't use the word 'rebuilding,' around here," Simpson said. "That's not fair to kids who are here and are ready to show what they can do. We did lose a lot of quality players, but we also feel we have some quality guys who are ready to step up as the next man in the rotation. We have some work to do, but I think we can be a good football team by season's end."
Buford is working on a 40-game win streak over a three-year period and the expectations will still be high: region title, state playoffs, and a state title. The Wolves will open the season at home against Eastern Christian Academy out of Elkton, Md., which has, like Buford, put dozens of players in the collegiate ranks, and then take on Class AAAAAA Berkmar at home before traveling to Class AAAAAA McEachern in a much-anticipated rematch in last year's instant classic -- a game won by Buford in the waning moments.
BUFORD: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Wolves
- TEAM COLORS: Green, Gold and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AAAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Jess Simpson, 11th season, 138-8
- 2014 RECORD/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 15-0, Class AAAA state champions
- KEY LOSSES: ATH David Curry, LB Austin Smith, LB Konnor Houston, RB Joshua Thomas, QB Luke Humphries, OL Nick Polino, OL Hunter Holland, DB Steven Reese, DL Quay Picou, FB/DE Jordan Perlotte, DB Brandon Mangram, PK Matthew Bonadies, TE/DE Isaac Nauta
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Pro-style -- The Wolves like to pound the ball with their running game but will mix in the pass using tight ends and receivers.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 4 returning starters -- Sr. TB Xavier Gantt (699 yards rushing, 10 TDs in 2014), Sr. FB Martin Mangram, Sr. OL Cooper Simpson, Sr. TE Caleb Auer, Sr. OL Innis Claud, Sr. WR Jacob Martin, Jr. QB Mic Roof
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 4-3 -- The Wolves are always fast and physical and expect nothing to change despite sending 15 players to the collegiate ranks after last season.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 4 returning starters -- Sr. CB Xavier Gantt, Sr. CB Martin Mangram, Sr. DE Caleb Auer, Jr. LB TD Roof, Sr. DT Innis Claud, Sr. NG Shug Frazier
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK/P Nick Chmielowicz
- STRENGTH: Defense/running game -- Expect a stout defense once again despite key losses. This group will have motivation to show it can keep the win streak alive and make a run in the playoffs. On offense the Wolves return 3 backs with over 500 yds rushing and 20 combined TDs
- QUESTION: Inexperience -- The Wolves will have to replace 25 seniors, including at several key positions like QB and TE. They also will have to find a suitable replacement for Bonadies.
- KEY GAMES: Fans will look to their road game vs. McEachern Sept. 4 as the highlight of the schedule. Road games against White County and North Hall in 8-AAAA could be potential traps but home games vs. North Oconee Oct. 23 and the seasone finale vs. Stephens County will probably decide the region title.
- TRENDING: It’s hard to imagine that after eight straight trips to the state finals with seven titles, including the last three in two different classifications, that any program could still be trending upward. But the Wolves aren’t just any program. They continue to develop young players to replenish their talent every year. They are an odds-on favorite to win 8-AAAA and should have enough horses to get back to the Dome yet again. Can they win it all again? Don’t bet against it.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21 vs. Eastern Christian Academy, Md.
Aug. 28 vs. Berkmar
Sept. 4 at McEachern
Sept. 18 at *White County
Oct. 2 vs. *Chestatee
Oct. 9 at *North Hall
Oct. 16 vs. *Monroe Area
Oct. 23 vs. *North Oconee
Oct. 30 at *Madison County
Nov. 6 vs. *Stephens County
*- indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
