Despite those gaudy numbers, however, the defense may be the catalyst behind Buford's dominating wins -- each with playoff positioning and advancement on the line. Coach Jess Simpson said the play of his defense set the tone for last week's 52-22 win over Hart County in the first round.
"I have noticed a real focus with the group the last month. They have really stepped up their game," Simpson said. "Hart County has some excellent players on offense and our guys got a three-and-out to open the game and that really fired up the offense. "
You won't find many superstars on this year's unit as in years past, but Simpson said this group's biggest asset is chemistry.
"No, we don't have those big Division I types this year but this group plays as an 11-man unit as well as any group I've had," he said. "They work very well together and come ready to play every game. Not to say other units in the past haven't, but these guys know they have to play well and play together to be successful, and they have done that all season."
The 22 points allowed last week is deceiving. The Wolves did not allow a point in the first half and only gave up one first down into the third quarter. With Buford holding a big lead early in the third quarter, Simpson gave his ninth graders a taste of varsity football, and they held their own, allowing just 16 points.
"The score didn't really show how well the first unit played. But I felt the younger kids did a great job. They were going against their No. 1 offense so to hold them to just 16 points was an excellent effort," Simpson said.
The second-ranked Wolves figure to be plenty tested this week playing host to Callaway -- the No. 3 seed out of Region 5-AA. The Cavaliers (8-3) are an explosive team, having scored 122 points in their last three games. They also put up 17 points against No. 1 Carver, Columbus, a team that shut out Buford 14-0 in the second game of the season.
Quarterback Ricky Parks, a Clemson commit, leads the attack along with tailback Marquis Terrell. On defense Callaway is paced by defensive end Jeffrey Cameron.
"(Parks) and (Terrell) give them a very potent one-two punch," Simpson said. "In the film I've seen no one has been able to stop them, not even Carver. They had 17 points at halftime before Carver finally got things going.
"But probably the biggest concern is No. 10 (Cameron). He just wreaks havoc on defense. We have to find a way to keep him out of the backfield. He's tough to stop."
History, though, should be on the Wolves side. They have advanced to at least the third round of the playoffs every year this millennium.
"We don't worry about history or streaks or anything like that," Simpson said. "We just focus on the game this week. Callaway is a solid team and if we don't show up ready to play we can be beaten. I expect it to be a tough game."
CALLAWAY at BUFORD
-- WHAT: Class AA second round football playoff
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- RADIO: 620 AM
-- CALLAWAY (8-4, No. 3 seed Region 5-AA): Defeated Rockmart 30-8 in the first round.
-- BUFORD (10-1, No. 1 seed Region 6-AA): Defeated Hart County 52-22 in the first round. The Wolves are ranked No. 2 in Class AA by the AP and the coaches.
-- WINNER PLAYS: McIntosh County Academy at Cook winner in quarterfinals
Buford defensive end Rick LeGrant
http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/11/233894