Football: Buford-Mill Creek set to duke it out again for region title

HOSCHTON, Ga. — Georgia-Georgia Tech has the “Good, Old-fashioned hate” tagline.

Is Buford-Mill Creek already at that level in just three short seasons? Perhaps.

But it’s quickly turned into one of the Must-see TV events (when it’s broadcast) every season in the state. And so far, it has not disappointed. 

“I'm sure there's some true hatred somewhere in there, but it's a small percentage of both communities,” Buford coach Bryant Appling said. “But there’s definitely a healthy respect for each other also. (Mill Creek coach) Josh Lovelady and I are friends, and we both started at our schools at around the same time. They do things the right way over there.

“All the kids have played against each other in GFL or baseball or basketball for years. But you know, obviously, you want to kick the crap out of the other side when you get the chance, and I’m sure both teams will be wanting to do that on Friday.”

The two teams will tangle again on Friday night at Mill Creek Community Stadium with a region title once again on the line, this time for the Region 8-6A crown (they swapped a pair of Region 8-7A titles the past two seasons).

Buford rallied for a 39-27 win in 2022, while the Hawks held on for a 31-24 victory last season.

In last year’s showdown, Shane Throgmartin threw a touchdown pass with just over a minute left to give the Hawks the lead, and a Buford pass into the end zone in the final seconds fell incomplete.

And Mill Creek coach Josh Lovelady credits the two teams’ first-ever meeting in 2022 to helping push the Hawks program to the next level. They would go on to win the 2022 state title in Class 7A.

“I always tell people that was the best loss in Mill Creek history,” he said. “We probably don’t go on our state championship run without that. We needed to see what we needed to do to get there.”

And both certainly come into the 2024 matchup with more than just region titles on their mind. The Wolves (8-1, 5-0 Region 8-6A) are ranked second in Class 6A while the Hawks  (7-2, 4-1 Region 8-6A) are ranked eighth. They both know how to win championships.

But of course, neither coach says they are focused on the ultimate prize. At least not openly.

“We’re just trying to focus on the next day, man,” Appling said. “I'm not worried about what we did last week or what we did last year. Just trying to worry about having a good week this week.

“I'm not worried about (the playoffs) right now. I'm worried about Mill Creek and playing a good game on Friday.”

“Both of our programs pride ourselves in playing good competition, even outside of our region schedules, and preparing for these big moments,” Lovelady said. “That’s our focus this week. We’re playing Buford, so you don’t need any more distractions than that.”

Both teams come in among the state’s best offenses in Class 6A. The Hawks are fourth at 41.6 points/game while the Wolves are right behind in fifth, averaging 39.1 ppg on the season.

But both programs build around their defenses and both units also are in the top 10 in Class 6A. Buford is yielding just 11.1 ppg, second in Class 6A and 5th overall among the state’s top two classifications. Mill Creek is giving up just 14.6 ppg, 8th-best in 6A.

Mill Creek is led on defense by LB Luke Metz (leads the team in tackles, Alabama commit) and DL Devin Ancrum (10 TFL, 6 sacks, North Carolina commit).

Buford is paced by leading linebackers A.J. Holloway (leading tackler, South Carolina commit), Jaden Perlotte (USC commit), and Kenyon Rivera (Kansas commit). But the real strength may be up front with a trio of Alabama commits in Bryce Perry-Wright, Nicco Maggio, and James Morrow.

“These defenses, they're serious,” Lovelady said. “(Buford’s) strength is their box. I think all seven guys up there have Power 5 offers. Those guys are just different than most teams you’ll see.”

“Bryce, James, Nico, those guys have been our anchors and are having a hell of a season right now in a bunch of different ways,” Appling said. “Rushing the pass or stopping to run, deflecting passes out of the backfield. They’ve been outstanding all year. Then you look at the second level with those guys and at the back end. (Safety) Jax Pope may be our unsung hero right now. He's doing a lot for us in a bunch of different ways. He fixes a lot of issues back there.”

But in the first two matchups, both teams came in riding stingy, tough defenses. Yet both offenses have averaged over 30 ppg in the brief two-game series.

The offensive lines probably hold the key to victory for both teams. And both coaches know it. The Hawks’ front-7 last year hounded then-quarterback Dylan Raiola all night, doing just enough to slow down the Wolves in the end.

“We're light years ahead of where we were this time last year (on the offensive line),” Appling said. “And we have progressed from where we were early in the season. The more time you snap the ball, throw the ball and hand the ball off to each other, the more you're going to naturally get better. So, they're progressing. But they haven't popped out yet as a group. We still got a better game to play in there.”

“I think when you look at this one, it's not going to be just a ground-and-pound game,” Lovelady said. “I hope it is. I think Coach App would say the same thing. 

"It’s probably going to come down to four or five plays offensively that you're going to have to have playmakers make plays or, you know, break a tackle, or whatever.”

Look for the Hawks to squeeze everything they can out of Throgmartin (1,582 yards, 15 TDs) and running back Daniel Smith (1,111 yards, 12 TDs). The Hawks must beat Buford by 7 or more or face a third-place finish in the region due to their 13-12 loss to Collins Hill earlier in the season.

"We know what we need to do," Lovelady said. "It will be easier said than done. But if we have a lead late, that's less than seven, and get the ball, you know we're going to have to go for the points. Seeding in the playoffs will be important, and you don't really want to go in as a No. 3 seed."

Buford can claim the title straight up with a win. A loss would knock the Wolves down to the second seed.

The atmosphere is sure to be electric again in Hoschton. Standing-Room-Only crowds have awaited both teams the previous two meetings. It seems to have been an important factor in the first two showdowns with the home team winning both.

“We’ve played in some big-time atmospheres already, and our guys showed up. So I don't expect anything less this week,” Appling said.

“I think with the size of the crowds we've had the last couple years, it makes a difference,” Lovelady said. “You know, as far as the bands and student sections and all that stuff, it makes a difference. And home-field advantage, on all levels, it’s important.

“I’m expecting another classic between the two teams."