In upcoming weeks, teams throughout the state will spend 10 days on the practice field preparing for the 2008 football season. In a series of stories, ajc.com will provide an offseason outlook for 25 of the top teams in the metro and state.

Phil Long / Special (ENLARGE)

Buford returns '07 title team players like Storm Johnson (31) but must replace many others.

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Jess Simpson knows what he's losing.

Fifteen starters from his Class AA champion Buford team will graduate this spring, and six will play Division I football. There will be question marks at almost every position.

Just don't expect Simpson to use the "R" word.

"I don't like to talk about rebuilding years, because expectations don't change much in Buford," the coach said. "I think there's some potential there. Hopefully by the end of the year, we can compete for a championship."

The Wolves, who have won the state title four times in the last seven years, are essentially starting over with spring practice. Sessions begin on May 5.

Only four starters will return from the 2007 squad that steamrolled its way to a 15-0 record. So there is significant work to be done, particularly on offense and special teams.

"To say I'm focusing on one thing would be comical," Simpson said. "There are a lot of opportunities for kids to earn a job."

Buford has graduated good players before ... and continued to win. The Wolves have won seven straight region titles and have not lost to a region opponent since 2000.

No one will take them lightly in Region 6-AA this fall. Nor should they.

Buford Wolves

Region 6-AA

Spring practice dates: May 5-16.

Last year's record: 15-0, Class AA state champions.

Reclassification challenge: Does not apply.

Working on: Just about everything. With 15 starters graduating, Buford has major holes to fill on offense, defense and special teams. Senior Michael May and junior Daunte Carr will compete for the starting quarterback job. At most other positions, coaches will use spring practices to get a clearer idea of what their options are.

Key starters lost: DT Omar Hunter' LB T.J. Pridemore; RB Demetris Murray; WR Melvin Harris; QB Twoey Hosch; LB Jaytee Swanson and RB Alex Hunt.

Key starters returning: OL/DL Dallas Lee; LB Landon Anderson and DE Andrew Sachais.

2008 strengths: Run defense. This has been at the heart of Buford's success during the last several years. No, the Wolves won't be as dominant in this area - or any other - as they were in 2007. But Lee, Anderson and Sachais give them a solid defensive foundation against the run.

2008 weaknesses: Pass offense. The Wolves need to decide on a starting quarterback and rebuild their offensive line and receiving corps. At the moment, the only offensive playmakers are tailbacks Cody Getz and Storm Johnson.

This season's projection: Buford is a long-shot to repeat as state champion. But this program has reloaded before while still winning most of its games and could very well do so again. Look for the Wolves to improve throughout the fall and make a run in the playoffs.

Comment: "This is a scrappy group that we're really excited about coaching," Simpson said. "I think there's a quiet confidence to them. Like, 'Hey, we know we're pretty good, and we've got something to prove.' We may not have nine kids signing scholarships next year, but you don't have to have nine kids signing scholarships to have a good football team."

Last Week's Lineup

• 4/14: Roswell • 4/15: Norcross • 4/16: Walton • 4/17: Harrison

• 4/18: Camden • 4/19: Newnan • 4/20: Stephenson