As far as Gainesville is concerned, taking on the four-time defending Class AA champs is a monumental task -- but it's also a monumental opportunity.
"Buford is one of the best teams in the state -- in any classification -- but if we can play them, we can play with anybody," Red Elephants senior Ryan Griffith said.
And that is how the Red Elephants are approaching their season opener -- a game which will kick off at 7 p.m. and be broadcast live on 1240 AM ESPN Radio, as well as on ESPN 3.com.
"This will be a great measuring stick," said Gainesville coach Bruce Miller, whose team is coming off three straight region championships. "Right now Buford can line up and play with anybody in the state. And it will be interesting, from our standpoint, to go out and see how we can do against this team."
The No. 1-ranked Wolves are already coming off their season opener -- a 42-0 defeat of Blessed Trinity last Friday in Roswell that Miller and his assistant coaches took in firsthand. And even if Miller hadn't witnessed last week's domination, there would be little doubt as to Buford's ability based solely on the past four seasons -- coupled with the fact that the Wolves return 32 seniors, 17 starters and at least eight FBS (formerly Division I-A) recruits.
Buford also handed Gainesville a 40-19 defeat in last year's season-opener at City Park.
"After playing them last year you know that they'll be physical and that they're going to come out and hit you," Griffith, a receiver, said. "You just have to make sure that that doesn't intimidate you and get you off your game."
Perhaps that factor is what Miller is most keen to test in his team.
"We'll be able to tell pretty quick which of our kids are going to be star-gazing and which ones will go in competing and wanting to fight," Miller said. "I've been telling the kids all summer that this is a great opportunity to show what they can do against top competition. And now they have the chance to do so in a game that's nationally televised."
The presence of ESPN has also added an air of excitement for the Wolves, who are no strangers to media exposure -- though Buford coach Jess Simpson says his team is squarely focused on the Red Elephants.
"Our kids are really excited and are really motivated and are looking forward to our home opener, and the fact that it's on TV just adds to it," Simpson said.
Gainesville's spread offense certainly has Simpson's undivided attention. The attack, quarterbacked by sophomore Deshaun Watson, features a number of playmakers, including receivers Stephen Mason and Keyontra Harrison and running back Ray-Ray Thomas.
"Defending the whole field, that's the biggest challenge when you play someone as athletic as they are," Simpson said. "When you play a spread offense with a quarterback like Gainesville has, the game's about speed and space. It's about the second and third effort of defenders trying to get out of the box to help make a tackle, because it's probably going to take more than one guy to get them on the ground."
The Wolves defense -- featuring 10 returning starters, including linebackers Dillon Lee (Alabama commit), Andr'e Johnson and Nathan Staub -- opened the campaign impressively last week, allowing just 53 yards and forcing five turnovers against Blessed Trinity. And Gainesville knows that it must avoid giving the ball away on Friday night.
"Their strength is their defense," Mason, a senior said. "I think, with our offense, we can move the ball, but we've also got to take care of the ball. We can't go in and start making mistakes."
"You just hope you can nickel and dime them, because you're not going to get the big play on those guys," Miller added. "You just hope you can put some dents in the armor and hang in there and take it to the second half with a chance."
For a young team like Gainesville -- the Red Elephants return just three starters on defense from last year's Region 8-AAA championship squad -- those players who played key roles in the 2010 campaign will play key roles again on Friday (and have already done so in the build-up).
"I experienced this last year, and I'm just trying to help the team and be a leader this year," Mason said. "I know the young kids will probably be nervous going in, but once things get going, they'll be where they're supposed to be. We've just got to stay together and control what we can control."
That will mean every Red Elephant being on the same page and coming out firing.
"Everybody's got to do their job and stick to their assigments," Griffith said. "All 11 guys out there have to be focused."
Do that, and Gainesville feels it will give itself a chance to cash in on in that great opportunity.
"This is my senior year, and I want to go out with a bang," Mason said. "There's people doubting us because of what we lost year. But we want to show we can play."
GAINESVILLE at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- RADIO/TV: 1240 ESPN Radio/ESPN 3
-- GAINESVILLE (0-0): The Red Elephants went 10-2 in 2010, winning Region 8-AAA and reaching the Class AAA Sweet 16.
-- BUFORD (1-0): The Wolves defeated Blessed Trinity 42-0 last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Buford won 40-19 on Aug. 27, 2010. The Wolves lead the series 3-0.
Gainesville's Ryan Griffith hauls in a pass at practice.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/8/241327