BUFORD — People outside the Buford football program are welcome to spend their time talking about last season or what 2018 might hold, but inside the Wolves locker room and on the practice fields there is no time for such whimsy.
Coach John Ford says his team is -- and must be -- all about attention to detail as it preps for the upcoming campaign. And to bury the disappointment of 2017's state semifinal loss (a statement of Buford's success in and of itself) and find a way through another loaded Class 5A setup, the Wolves are focused only on the process as Ford enters his second campaign in charge.
Buford will have a mix of talented veterans to call on in 2018 -- including another roster replete with NCAA-bound talent -- but will also mix in some newcomers, especially at the receiver and linebacker spots after heavy losses to graduation.
The line of scrimmage should be an anchor for both sides of the ball, as the Wolves lean on offensive bellcows such as Harry Miller (Ohio State commit) and Riley Simonds (Florida commit) and defensive stalwarts that include Jalar Holley (Miami commit).
Meanwhile, quarterback Aaron McLaughlin returns as a virtual upperclassman after starting as a freshman, and Derrian Brown leads a talented running back corps that looks to make up for the graduation of longtime standouts Anthony Grant and Christian Turner.
BUFORD: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Wolves
- TEAM COLORS: Green, Gold and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-5A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: John Ford, second season, 11-2
- 2017 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 11-2, Region 8-5A champions, Class 5A semifinalist
- KEY LOSSES: Sr. RB Anthony Grant, Sr. RB Christian Turner, WR Bryson Richardson, Sr. DL Brock Mattison, Sr. DL Mick Reese, Sr. CB Mikey, McMorris, Saf Kellen Neal
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- Buford's offense still showed plenty of power ground game to compliment a verticle passing attack last season, and fans can expect the aerial assault to take another step forward behind sophomore Aaron McLaughlin -- now a veteran after starting from the get-go in 2017. It will not be easy to replace standouts Grant and Turner, but Derrian Brown (with offers from Auburn and Alabama among others) will lead another talented corps of ball carriers. And the offensive line, led by Ohio State commit Harry Miller and Florida commit Riley Simonds. The receiving corps will have to develop during the season after heavy graduations from 2017.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. RB Derrian Brown (844 yards rushing, 11 TDs), Sr. OL Harry Miller, Sr. OL Riley Simonds, Sr. OL Carter Colquitt, So. QB Aaron McLaughlin (1,765 yards passing in 2017), Sr. RB Elijah Turner
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 4-3 -- The Wolves will look to continue their dominant play on this side of the ball after allowing just 12.7 points per game last season. The defensive line and secondary should be strong, including senior defensive lineman Jalar Holley (Miami commit) and defensive back KJ Johnson (FBS offers). The linebacker corps was largely cleaned out after graduation, but Buford will look to reload and keep going under veteran defensive coordinator Bryant Appling, who mixes pressure with fundamentals to great effect.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Sr. DL Jalar Holley, Sr. DL Quentin Skinner (LSU commit as long snapper), Sr. DE Ahmad Craig, Jr. DE Jackson Powell, Sr. Saf KJ Johnson, Sr. CB Jamaal Singleton, Sr. LB Jack Scroggs
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK/P Hayden Olson
- STRENGTH: Leadership/intangibles -- Coach John Ford says his team has more than its fair share of seniors that want to go back out on top after last year's semifinal loss -- a rare moment for the Wolves, who saw a streak of 10 straight state championship game appearances halted.
- QUESTION: Sticking to the process -- It would be easy for Buford (every year, frankly) to get caught up in the preseason prognostications and opinions of those outside the program, but Ford says his team is working on staying focused on the next rep, the next lift, and trying to avoid looking any further ahead.
- KEY GAMES: The season opener against Class 6A semifinalist Tucker in the Kell Classic will be one of the marquee games across the state on a weekend full of intriguing showdowns. And the final non-region contest at Archer (Sept. 21) will also have the whole state's attention as the Wolves travel to face a 2017 Class 7A quarterfinalist. Newton (Sept. 14, home) was also a Class 7A playoff team last season, while Deerfield Beach (Aug. 31, home) was a playoff team in Class 8A in Florida. Meanwhile, the Wolves are coming off a 2017 region campaign that saw them yield just two total touchdowns across six contests.
- TRENDING: When a state semifinal appearance is considered a disappointment you know just how high your standards are. After seeing a streak of 10 straight championship game appearances snapped last season, you can bet there is plenty of focus and determination to get back to that 15th contest of the season.
2018 SCHEDULE
Aug. 17 vs. Tucker 5:30 p.m. Corky Kell Classic (at Georgia State)
Aug. 24 vs. Jonesboro
Aug. 31 vs. Deerfield Beach, Fla., 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. Newton
Sept. 21 at Archer
Sept. 28 vs. Johnson*
Oct. 5 at Cedar Shoals*
Oct. 12 at Loganville*
Oct. 26 vs. Walnut Grove*
Nov. 2 vs. Clarke Central*
*- Indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
