Wolves seeking fourth straight title in new classification

BUFORD, Ga. — Bryant Appling knows that it’s crazy, but he never really has time to think about it.

In his first three seasons as head coach, Appling has led the Wolves to three straight state championships, one in Class 5A and two in Class 6A, making him the only coach in Georgia High School Association history ever to do it. He’s also the first in the state since Stratford Academy’s Bobby Brown in the Southeastern Association of Independent Schools in the early 1970s.

Appling is proud of his program’s accomplishments over the last three seasons, but his job doesn’t give him much opportunity to sit around reminiscing.  

At Buford, it’s always about the next challenge.

“I’d be lying if I told you I never thought about it, but I can’t think about it very long because something will come up,” Appling said. “It’s on to the next deal.”

Indeed, Appling’s success in his first three years on the job at Buford has been unprecedented in Georgia high school football history. He still operates the program with a chip on his shoulder, though.

“When you don’t do as well as everybody else in the state thinks Buford should, a lot of people start saying ‘you guys are done’ or ‘the run is over,’” Appling said. “There was a bunch of doubt in the air when I was hired about where we were as a program and the coaching staff. They told us we weren’t as talented as we had been, and in some places, we weren’t, but our kids had the same heart that we’ve always had around here, and they figured out a way to get the job done.”

There isn’t any doubt about the “App Era” at Buford now. There is a new challenge on the horizon for the Wolves, though—another move up in classification. The Wolves were elevated to Class 7A in the last reclassification cycle and will hope to become the only program in the state to win a state title in every classification. 

Moving up will be nothing new for Appling and Buford, as they moved up four times between 2011 and 2020. They’re as high as they can go now, and Appling knows that means some stiff competition.

He also believes the program is ready for it.

“We always feel like as you go up, the teams are obviously better and have more depth, and there’s always another couple of teams that can win it every year,” Appling said. “I feel like we’re prepared. I think we’ve got some good depth and some good young talent.”

There is plenty of veteran talent as well. Their starting quarterback is a rising senior, Dylan Wittke, who has waited his turn while sharing reps with Ashton Daniels, who is now at Stanford after graduating following the 2021 season. Wittke is committed to Virginia Tech and is ready to take the reins of the offense full-time.

“He started 13 games as a sophomore, and he’s played a bunch of snaps for us. He’s different from Ashton in a lot of ways, but he definitely gives us a chance to be special on that side of the ball,” Appling said.

At running back, the Wolves graduated their top three rushers from 2021 but got a big infusion of talent in the form of Justice Haynes. Haynes is a four-star prospect who transferred to Buford from Blessed Trinity this offseason.

Haynes has over 5,800 yards rushing in his career, including more than 2,300 last year as a junior. He gives the Wolves’ offense a dynamic weapon to put to use. Appling said he thinks Haynes will fit in with the team well.

“I think he’s going to be a great asset and a great teammate. He’s willing to do whatever he needs to do to help the team. He’s not worried about being a guy that gets it 20 times a game or something like that, he’s going to share it. I think he’s going to be a great one for us,” Appling said.

Buford will continue to use multiple backs. Appling said junior Trelain Maddox will be one to watch behind Haynes.

Receiver was also hit hard by graduation, with Division I prospects Isaiah Bond and Jake Pope gone. Junior K.J. Bolden will take over as the primary target, with fellow junior Tyshun White and sophomore Jordan Allen also starting. Eddrick Houston and King Joseph Edwards will be the starters at tight end, with several other players rotating in.

The position on offense Appling is most excited about is offensive line. 

Left tackle Paul Mubenga will headline the group. The 280-pound senior has offers from LSU, Texas A&M, North Carolina, South Carolina and Michigan. Senior Ian Chandler will return to start at center along with junior Pierce Demarco at guard. Juniors Wiles McCammon and Devin Forrester are expected to be the new starters.

Appling is known for his work as a defensive coach, and he looks to have another strong unit in 2022. He will, however, have some work to do at linebacker. They graduated their top six linebackers from last season.

Senior Ryan McKinnis and junior Bryson Banks will be the primary two inside linebackers entering the season, with senior Jack Damron and sophomore Jaden Perlotte starting on the outside.

There is more experience on the defensive line, led by junior defensive end Eddrick Houston. Senior Alijah Williams will start at the other end, with senior Aiden Jeter anchoring the middle while also pitching in on the offensive line. Appling said Jeter got a lot of work last year while River Wilson dealt with injuries.

The strength of the defense looks to be in the secondary. K.J. Bolden and Tyshun White will be the two safeties. Juniors Jaylen Neal and Kobi Blackwell will be the starting corners.

At kicker, Buford will need to replace Alejandro Matta, who made a number of clutch kicks that helped key championship runs in his time with the Wolves. Junior Mario Ventura will take over place-kicking duties and Appling said he has a strong leg that could be a weapon for Buford.

Appling said either Ventura or sophomore Kyle Carpenter will be the punter.

As part of the move to Class 7A, Buford will be in Region 8-7A. It’s a region made up exclusively of northern Gwinnett County teams like Mill Creek, Mountain View, Dacula and defending state champion Collins Hill.

Appling said the prospect of playing some more local schools is exciting.

“We haven’t had a real natural rivalry. Dacula’s been a pretty good one the last couple of years (In Class 6A) as far as location and kids knowing each other, but G.A.C. was probably the last one we’ve had since I’ve been here, and we kind of started jumping up faster than they did and lost that one,” Appling said. “It’ll be good. That type of competition and trash-talking and all that stuff will be back in the air, and all that is good, it’s part of high school football.”

Non-region will not be any easier as the Wolves tangle with fellow 7A powerhouse Marietta and face some stiff out-of-state competition like Thompson (Alabama) and Mallard Creek (North Carolina).

The Thompson game will be one with a lot of national attention. The Warriors have won three straight state championships of their own and Appling said he expects a challenge.

“We’re expecting a really good team. Hopefully we’re up to speed by that team. I talked to their coach a good amount over the summer and me and him are kind of built from the same mode, I believe, in how we’ve built our programs and that’s why they’ve been successful,” Appling said.

Appling, however, also said his team is expecting stiff competition all year long and he’s hoping it will build character towards another championship run.

“We have a tough schedule,” Appling said. “If something doesn’t go right off the bat, that’s not the end-all-be-all. We lost one game each of the last three years, but that game was what we needed at the time. It was a time to get right and realize that anybody can beat you on any given night. We just need to take it one day at a time.”