The Skinny
The Buford Wolves advanced to the state finals for the 21st time in school history and for the third consecutive season. In their four playoff wins, Buford is averaging 32.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 6.7 points. That is right on par with their overall season stats. Through their fourteen games, the Wolves area averaging 35.5 points per game while allowing 6.4. Since allowing 27 points to Class 7-A North Cobb in Week-1, the Wolves have not allowed more than 17 points in a game. They also enter this week on a 10-game win streak. Last week, it was the usual suspects for Buford as Victor Venn went over the 100-yard mark, while quarterback Ashton Daniels completed 70% of his passes as Buford downed Carrollton in the semifinals. The Wolves defense held quarterback M.J. Morris in check and will look to do the same against another talented quarterback this week. A win would earn the Wolves their 14th state title in school history. (The Wolves have won a state title in six different classifications over the course of their school history.)
The Langston Hughes Panthers have reached the state title game for the first time in school history. The only scratch on the Panthers record is a week one 1-point loss to the Newton Rams. Since then, Hughes has reeled off thirteen straight wins. Over their 14 games, Hughes is averaging 39.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 8.9. During the playoffs the offense has been a little better averaging 41.2 points in their four games while the defense has surrendered a few more points, giving up 14.2 points per game. The Panthers have a balanced attack, averaging 182.9 yards per game through the air and 189.1 yards per game on the ground. Southpaw quarterback Prentiss “Air” Noland has thrown for 2,473 yards and 33-TDs. Meanwhile, Rodney Shelley, Armani Tookes, Jelani Thurman and Terrance Love are his top targets this season. Antonio Martin Jr. leads the team with 953 rushing yards and 14-TDs. Defensively, Micheal Watson has been a tackling machine on defense with 100 solo tackles on the season. The Panthers have sacked opposing quarterbacks 23 times and intercepted 19 passes in 2021.
Both of these teams have answered the bell week in and week out. The two losses between them are by a combined 8 points. Expect Buford to establish the run early with Victor Venn and C.J. Clinkscales. Meanwhile, the Wolves defense will need to get pressure on Hughes’ Noland. He’s not a dual threat quarterback, but he makes good decisions in the pocket. Buford has won 65% of the state title games they’ve been in. Don’t expect a runaway by either team, but we like the Wolves this week on the strength of their defense by 8
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Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Historical records are provided by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. (ghsfa.org)