MILTON, Ga. — Buford proved why they are the top-ranked team in Class 7A on Friday.
The Wolves, playing their first game as a member of the state’s largest classification, dominated Alabama’s standard-bearing program on Friday thanks to a defense that produced two pick-sixes and five quarterback sacks.
The Wolves wore down Thompson, Ala., and rolled to a 38-7 win in the opening game of the Freedom Bowl on Friday at Milton High School. Buford held the Warriors to 155 total yards and improved to 12-3 against out-of-state teams.
“As many kids as we had to replace from last year … we had to replace eight kids … for those kids to step up,” Buford coach Bryant Appling said. “Some of them were backups last year, some of them were freshman last year, and the way they stepped up, I’m pleasantly surprised.”
Much of the focus was on Buford’s Justice Hayes, the two-time all-state tailback and Alabama commitment who transferred from Blessed Trinity during the off-season. Haynes rushed 17 times for 93 and a 23-yard touchdown, but it was his electrifying 97-yard kickoff that had the legion of video-toting fanboys drooling after the game.
“This is different,” Haynes said. “This is why Buford wins. Buford wins because of what we did in the weight room and the people and the coaches and Coach App; he holds us to a different standard. By coming to Buford I’ve become a better person.”
Buford limited Thompson to 48 total yards, 50 of it coming on a run by Michael Dujon, who was caught from behind and taken down at the 6. Two plays later A.J. Green was stripped on a dive, and Alijah Williams recovered for Buford to kill Thompson’s best threat of the half.
Buford scored on its second possession, completing a 10-play drive when Dylan Wittke connected with K.J. Bolden on the right sideline for a 28-yard touchdown. The Wolves took the 7-0 lead into halftime.
Buford came up empty on its first drive of the third quarter, but the defense caused a turnover. Eddrick Houston stripped Thompson quarterback Zach Sims and Bolden recovered. That set up Buford’s 31-yard field goal from Mario Ventura and a 10-0 lead.
The Wolves followed with their first pick-six on Thompson’s second play. Justin Baker stole the pass in the flat and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown and a 17-0 lead.
Thompson responded behind backup quarterback Trent Seaborn. The freshman passed the Warriors down the field and threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Korbyn Ballard.
But any thought of a Thompson comeback was negated when Haynes returned the kickoff for a touchdown, then obliterated when Bryson Banks came up with a 23-yard pick-six and a 31-8 lead.
“Every time we move up (into a larger classification) people doubt us,” said Buford coach Bryant Appling. And I’m not saying we’re perfect yet because we’re not. We’ve got a long way to to to be what we want to be at the end of the season, but I’m happy tonight.”
