Buford thriving off of home-field advantage

Buford football coach Jess Simpson preferred semifinals in the Georgia Dome, instead of this year’s change to playing the finals there.

He thought it was better when twice as many players got the experience of playing on the state’s grandest stage.

No doubt, his 13-0 team is glad to be playing tonight’s Class AA semifinal against Fitzgerald at home, where the Wolves dominated their first three playoff opponents by an average of 48-13. They’ve already run Heard County (56-21), North Oconee (44-7) and Dublin (44-10) out of Tom Riden Stadium.

“It’s my last ever game at Buford High School, and hopefully I can leave it with good graces,” said third-year running back Cody Getz, who ran for 160 yards and two touchdowns against Dublin. “We respect everyone [home or away] but fear nobody.”

A victory tonight would give the Wolves a chance at their sixth state championship and fifth this decade. But Buford players are being careful not to get ahead of themselves against a team whose 38-point average this season essentially equals their 40.

“These kids have been in a lot of big games before and have a lot of poise,” Simpson said. “We’re not ones to hit the panic button,” he added of his Wolves overcoming a 10-10 tie against Dublin.

As winners of 28 consecutive games, the defending champion Wolves rarely have come near the panic button. Except for a 14-10 Region 6-AA victory against Blessed Trinity, the Wolves haven’t won a game this season by less than three touchdowns.

Running back Jessel Curry said this season has felt different than last year’s 15-0 run.

“This year we don’t have a lot of superstars like last year,” he said. “We’ve had to play more as a team this year.”

Fitzgerald (11-2), winner of one state championship in 1948, looks to extend its ninth consecutive playoff appearance and return to the final for the first time since 2000.

Simpson said his players respect the Purple Hurricanes, who have reached tonight’s game by beating Charlton County (39-7), Henry County (45-20) and Pepperell (41-19).

“Our kids’ attention has been gotten,” Simpson said after watching film of the Hurricanes. “We know we can’t overlook a team like Fitzgerald.”

FITZGERALD AT BUFORD

• When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tom Riden Stadium, Buford

• Records, rankings: Fitzgerald is 11-2 and ranked No. 4. Buford is 13-0 and No. 1.