Usually, coaches are quick to point out program-defining victories. Mill Creek's Josh Lovelady went the other direction.
"That loss last year was the greatest loss in Hawks history," he said about their 39-27 defeat to Buford in 2022 that eventually decided the Region 8-7A title. "It allowed us to center ourselves. I think we just had some kids who were trying to do too much last year, doing too many things rather than relying on just doing their job. That loss allowed us to be exposed before it was in the playoffs because if you get exposed in the playoffs, you're done.
"We came in the next Monday as a group and sat there and said, 'Okay, here's our checklist; what do we need to fix?' And we went and fixed those things."
They may have lost the battle with their neighbors, but it ultimately led to winning the war as Lovelady and the Hawks used that to roll through the playoffs and capture the Class 7A state title, their first as a program.
The two teams will meet again on Friday in Hoschton, and the stakes may be even higher this time. Buford (6-0, 1-0 Region 8-7A) comes in ranked No. 1 in Class 7A. Mill Creek (6-0, 1-0 Region 8-7A) is ranked No. 2 in Class 7A. Depending on which poll you look at, both teams are ranked in the top 10 or top 20 nationally.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Bragging rights also will be at stake for the two programs, whose players are no strangers to each other.
"The coaches, coaching staves, the parents, the communities, even all the way down to the GFL (Gwinnett Football League), the GBL (Gwinnett Basketball League), Little League -- our kids grew up with each other, played with and played against each other, you know," Buford coach Bryant Appling said. "That's what makes it as big as it is, with it being only the second year of (this) game."
If you're looking for any one matchup that will be key, pick a number out of a hat. Every play could contain something magical and perhaps something game-changing.
The Hawks are fifth in Class 7A in scoring average (251, 41.8 points/game), while the Wolves sit just 23rd overall (177, 29.5 ppg) but have scored 149 points (37.2 ppg) over their last four games.
The defenses have been stingy all season. Buford is 2nd overall in 7A, allowing just 38 points (6.3 ppg), while Mill Creek has surrendered just 96 points (16.0 ppg).
Appling said last year's showdown, which featured the likes of Caleb Downs (Mill Creek) and Justice Haynes (Buford), who both ended up at Alabama, was one to remember. He's hoping for more of the same on Friday with players like Buford's Dylan Raiola (Georgia commit) and KJ Bolden (Florida State commit) and Mill Creek's Cam Robinson and Kingjoseph Edwards, who are both highly recruited but have yet to declare.
Raiola, who transferred in the summer from Arizona, is the nation's No. 1 quarterback prospect. After a slow start with his new team, he has caught fire of late. He has thrown for nearly 1,100 yards over his last four games and now has 1,350 yards (66%, 14 TDs, 0 INTs) and is 6th in Class 7A. Bolden is a dynamic two-way player. On offense, he has 10 catches for 220 yards and 6 TDs. On defense, he has 2 INTs to go with two passes defended and 20 tackles from the free safety spot.
"Last year was as close to a college football game as it possibly could have been in high school football to me -- and I've been coaching for 20-plus years," Appling said. "It was a really, really fun game to coach in and a really fun game to be a part of.
"I'm expecting the same thing (Friday night). On both sides of the ball, there's arguably as much talent in this game as in any game this season across the state and maybe across the nation."
Mill Creek's Robinson leads Class 7A in rushing with 945 yards and is 2nd in touchdowns with 12. Edwards is part of a Hawks' linebacking group with Josh Anglin and Luke Metz that has been a wall. The trio has combined for 79 tackles, including 19 TFL and 10 sacks.
Lovelady knows exactly what he has in Robinson and is not afraid to use him in any situation.
"He was a 2,000-yard (running) back last year, and he comes back with a wealth of experience there. I think he's an every down back," Lovelady said. "He can run it up in the middle and be a power back. But he has a unique blend also to be outside. We can run outside zone, and he's able to cut on the dime and make people miss. And we can put him in the slot on passing downs."
Robinson's triple-threat capability has opened things up for junior quarterback Shane Throgmartin, who is in his first season as a starter. Throgmartin has been efficient, completing 76 percent of his passes for 878 yards and 13 TDs with just 2 INTs so far.
"Shane is probably one of the most improved kids for us throughout the year," Lovelady said. "He just wants to win. He doesn't care if we hand it off 40 times or have to throw it 40 times. He's a very calming influence for us on offense. He's done a great job so far."
The overall key matchups are too numerous to detail. But rest assured, a huge one will be the Hawks' offense trying to crack the Buford defense. The battle in the trenches may be the ultimate decider.
Led by a stout defensive line of Bryce Perry-Wright, Eddrick Houston, and Pierce Demarco, the Wolves have 29 TFL, 12 sacks, 30 QB hurries, 16 passes defended, with 10 INTs and 5 fumble recoveries as a unit. Houston (3) and Bolden (2) have 5 of the interceptions.
"They're a great offense, and we've been playing pretty good defense, so hopefully, we can match their intensity and have a good game," Appling said. "The line of scrimmage and who wins the special teams battles. Those I think are going to be the difference makers."
Lovelady agreed.
"Both offenses have the capabilities to be high-scoring. But then you flip on the defense, both defenses fly around and with their hair on fire as far as playing fast and physical," Lovelady said. "I think really the key, to be honest, will be the unsung hero on special teams. Field position and turnovers."
Like Appling, Lovelady is expecting a similar atmosphere as last year. And to turn the series into a true rivalry.
"Last year was a great atmosphere of high school football. It's why you play the game. I think this one will be the same," he said. "But for rivalries, you got to win a ballgame to make it one. It's been a one-game series, a very small sample size. But hopefully, we'll have an opportunity to tidy up this series on Friday."
Expecting anything to be tidy in this one may be a mistake. Expect an all-out war.
Just the way we like rivalries -- budding or not.
