Here’s a look at five things we learned from the state high school football semifinals...
1. Buford’s defense just keeps getting better and better
The Wolves faced their first severe test since September last week, and while Woodward proved capable, utilizing a strong pass attack to key an 18-7 second quarter lead, Buford got to grips with the War Eagles just before the half and never let go. The Wolves rattled off 28 unanswered points on offense and largely shut down Woodward’s multiple attack in second half -- teeing off via a pass rush that registered some huge sacks, while also keeping a future University of Georgia running back at bay (Elijah Holyfield). It was an impressive performance to say the least and one that showed that the Wolves are more than ready for their ninth straight Georgia Dome appearance and a shot at a fourth straight state title and eighth in those nine seasons.
2. Colquitt County’s offense is unreal
Don’t get us wrong, we knew the Packers were good, but not THIS good. Mill Creek’s defense had been the best we’d seen all season, swarming opposing offenses while draping wide receivers like so many cheap suits in allowing less than 7 points per game. But on Friday, the Packers managed to set numerous receivers running free in the Hawks secondary. Mill Creek did a great job under the circumstances -- and had a couple of, shall we say “interesting” calls gone the other way, the outcome might have looked different. But there is no doubt that Colquitt would have put up points no matter the circumstances. They are that good.
3. Time unkind to Commerce title challenge
Give the Tigers a couple more minutes on Friday night and they may well be headed to the Dome this week. Commerce put up another strong performance in the face of another long road playoff trip only to see Clinch County piece together the winning drive in the dying minutes. Yet Commerce’s triple option offense still rolled up yards and put up points in key moments, and we can’t help but wonder what might have happened if the Tigers had not been pinned with a No. 9 seed at the start of the postseason. Yes, Commerce proved worthy road warriors and seemed unaffected by the miles traveled, winning two road contests and so nearly nabbing a third. But one less long trip may have proven huge for Tiger players in the late seconds Friday night.
4. Wolves offense is as versatile as ever
As good as Buford’s defense is, the Wolves offense is just as impressive and has an element that will prove huge to their championship hopes this Saturday in Atlanta: balance. Yes, Buford still relies on a power ground game, utilizing an imposing line of scrimmage to tear off chunks of yards. But Buford quarterback Mic Roof and a capable and athletic group of receivers make the offense as hard to pin down as any we can remember in a long line of dominant Wolves attacks. The fact that defenses have to crowd the line of scrimmage in an effort to slow the rushing attack means that they are vulnerable to players like Brandon Marsh and Caleb Auer running free through the secondary -- and Roof has the ability to get them the ball accurately. And if they play like they did this past Friday it’s going to be very hard to keep Buford from finding the end zone multiple times in the Georgia Dome.
5. Gwinnett not as great this season
It’s strange to look up and down the line-up for this weekend and see just one team based in Gwinnett County set to do battle -- Buford. Three others failed to move through last week’s semifinals (Grayson, Greater Atlanta Christian and Mill Creek). Last year there were three teams from Gwinnett in the Dome and three during the 2013 championships. In fact this will be the first state championship weekend without multiple schools from Gwinnett since 2009. And you have to go back to 2005 to find a campaign in which no Gwinnett school won a football state championship. In fact Gwinnett schools have claimed 21 state championships over the last 20 seasons.
STATE PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL SCORES FOR AREA TEAMS, DEC. 4
Class AAAAAA
Colquitt County 52, Mill Creek 31
Class AAAA
Buford 35, Woodward Academy 18
Class A Public
Clinch County 26, Commerce 19
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SCHEDULE FOR AREA TEAMS, DEC. 12
Class AAAA
4:30 p.m. -- Buford vs. Cartersville
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/12/354765/5-things-what-we-learned-from-the-semifinal-round-of-the-high-school-football-playoffs