High school football AA championship preview: Buford vs. Calhoun

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

CLASS AA (4:30, Friday): BUFORD VS. CALHOUN

More than three touchdowns separated these two teams last season, as Class AA power Buford completed its second consecutive 15-0 season and won its fifth state title in eight seasons.

As good as Calhoun was, there was an air of inevitability for a Wolves team that won its playoff games by 37, 34 and 23 points before meeting the Yellow Jackets.

But Buford’s invincibility was shattered by Lovett early this season, and Calhoun — which is making its third title game appearance in five years but hasn’t won since 1952 — has a chance to take its turn at the top of the podium.

“It would definitely be huge,” Calhoun coach Hal Lamb said. “Buford is a program that everybody looks up to. That’s where everybody wants their program to be. I told [Buford coach] Jess [Simpson] he has enough state championships; let’s let somebody else win it.”

But Simpson doesn’t see his Wolves as the bullies this year. Because of a young lineup, many saw chinks in the Buford armor early this season, but it is right back in the title game.

“To think that we can win a state championship, No. 1 with this team and No. 2 against the team that was the preseason darling,” Simpson said, “that would be a lot of icing on the cake to end this decade.”

--Jeff Haws

Calhoun (14-0)

The skinny

Avondale coach Michael Carson, whose team lost to Calhoun 42-14 in the first round of the playoffs, breaks down the Yellow Jackets’ offense and defense.

● Offense: “They’ve probably got one of the best offenses that we’ve faced in terms of being spread and multiple. We played Calhoun well, in my opinion. No. 21 (receiver Da’Rick Rogers) is probably the best receiver I saw this year. He just dominates the game.”

● Defense: “They primarily ran a stacked type of defense. Linebackers playing the gaps. You can definitely move the ball on them. In my opinion, they’re more of a finesse-type of team.”

AJC rating: 36

● Run [6]: (140 per game) Calhoun isn’t likely to kill you runing the football, but Dustin Christian is capable of beating opponents who take him lightly.

● Pass [9]: (245 per game) Rogers may be the most dominating player in the state. He’s an impossible matchup.

● Vs. Run [5]: (157 per game) They’re no pushover, but they can be had here. Lovett gashed them multiple times last week.

● Vs. Pass [8]: (92 per game) It’s unlikely this will come into play too much against Buford.

● Special Teams [8]: Kicker Adam Griffith has a very strong leg, and they’ve got enough speed coming off the corner to block kicks.

Need to know basis

● The history: Within the city limits of Calhoun was once the national capitol of Cherokee Nation, New Echota. It was abandoned when the U.S. government forced the Cherokees to leave their land and move west on the Trail of Tears. Calhoun has produced one NFL player: Riley Gunnels. Home stadium is Phil Reeve Stadium, where they are 65-15 under Hal Lamb since 1999. Won a state title in 1952.

● Last year: Calhoun lost to Buford 45-21 in the state championship game at the Georgia Dome.

Starting lineup

OFFENSE

QB: 7 *Nash Nance, 6-3, 200

RB: 5 Dustin Christian, 5-9, 170

RT: 65 Tucker Smith, 6-3, 250

RG: 57 Colton Greeson, 6-0, 230

C: 62 Matt Warren, 5-10, 220

LG: 68 Ian Carmichael, 5-10, 200

LT: 64 Garrett Holland, 6-3, 235

WR: 21 *Da’Rick Rogers, 6-3, 205

WR: 33 *Cody Ralston, 6-2, 195

WR: 39 David Collins, 6-0, 175

WR: 3 J.T. Palmer, 6-2, 180

PK: 99 Adam Griffith, 5-10, 160

DEFENSE

DE: 63 Gus Roberts, 6-0, 225

NG: 93 Caden Parker, 6-0, 250

DE: 52 Reed Allen, 6-2, 240

LB: 8 Alex Kirby, 6-0, 185

LB: 6 Hunter Knight, 6-0, 185

LB: 17 Josh White, 6-0, 215

OLB: 29 Cameron Budzius, 6-2, 185

OLB: 35 Kelby Holbrook, 6-0, 190

DB: 23 Brett Walraven, 6-0, 175

FS: 10 *Kedron Aker, 6-0, 205

CB: 3 J.T. Palmer 6-2, 180

P: 15 Blane Beaver, 6-0, 175

* Division 1-A recruit

Results

8/28 Dalton W 31-28

9/4 Ridgeland W 35-7

9/11 Cartersville W 38-10

9/25 Coosa W 47-16

10/2 Gordon Central W 56-14

10/9 Chattooga W 27-12

10/16 Sonoraville W 43-14

10/23 Dade County W 41-7

10/30 Adairsville W 34-0

11/6 Armuchee W 49-10

11/13 Avondale W 42-14

11/20 North Oconee W 39-14

11/27 Jefferson County W 49-35

12/4 Lovett W 49-14

— Jeff Haws

Buford (13-1)

The skinny

Avondale coach Michael Carson, whose team lost to Buford 41-0 on Oct. 2, breaks down the Wolves’ offense and defense.

● Offense: “Buford is more of a power team. They run the ball really well, and they can throw the football. They’re a very balanced team. We were able to put a lot of people in the box. That is definitely the key. You’ve got to hit them in the mouth before they get started.”

● Defense: “They’re pretty much a 4-3, cover 4-type of team. They played aggressive with us because we’re young. Their defensive front pretty much dominated our offensive front. The kids are fundamentally sound.”

AJC rating: 37

● Run [8]: (224 per game) Fullback Jessel Curry leads a power running game that averages almost 6 yards per attempt.

● Pass [6]: (132 per game) In an offense predicated on the run, quarterback Alex Ross provides balance with 18 touchdown passes.

● Vs. Run [10]: (70 per game) With a huge defensive front, this team is brutal to try to run against.

● Vs. Pass [8]: (81 per game) Teams haven’t had much more success with the pass against Buford’s athletic secondary.

● Special Teams [5]: The Wolves don’t attempt many field goals, and there’s little that is exceptional.

Need to know basis

● The history: Buford, located in north Gwinnett County, used to be known throughout the world as “The Leather City,” largely due to a well-known company called Bona Allen, Inc., which produced leather products. Buford has produced three NFL players: P.K. Sam, Darius Walker and Tim Wansley. Buford is 67-3 under Jess Simpson since 2005. The team won state championships in 1978, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2008.

● Last year: Buford won the state title by beating Calhoun 45-21 in the championship game at the Georgia Dome.

Starting lineup

OFFENSE

QB: 9 Alex Ross, 6-2, 180

TE: 89 Wright Gazaway, 6-1, 221

RT: 77 *Du’Von Millsap, 6-5, 333

RG: 56 *Kolton Houston, 6-4, 280

C: 54 Nolan Alexander, 5-11, 220

LG: 73 Shawn Artz, 6-6, 266

LT: 74 Vadal Alexander, 6-5, 319

FB: 22 *Jessel Curry, 6-2, 217

TB: 4 Seon Jones, 5-9, 169

WR: 16 Jamal English, 5-9, 140

WR: 3 Sherman Page, 6-3, 190

PK: 15 David Petroni, 5-11, 144

DEFENSE

DE: 6 A.J. Cunningham, 6-0, 198

DT: 58 Mitchell Dewalt, 6-0, 252

DT: 56 *Kolton Houston, 6-4, 280

DE: 44 *Jerome Davis, 6-2, 247

LB: 33 Nathan Staub, 6-2, 191

LB: 22 *Jessel Curry, 6-2, 217

LB: 21 Andrew Swope, 6-0, 201

CB: 16 Jamal English, 5-9, 140

CB: 28 Ryan Dillard, 5-9, 159

S: 1 Eric Barr, 5-8, 156

S: 12 Paris Head, 6-0, 149

P: 22 Jessel Curry, 6-2, 217

* Division 1-A recruit

Results

8/21 Grovetown W 51-0

9/4 North Hall W 35-7

9/11 Lovett L 28-21

9/25 Decatur W 28-0

10/2 Avondale W 41-0

10/9 Cross Keys W 65-0

10/16 Thomson W 41-7

10/23 Blessed Trinity W 21-0

10/30 Westminster W 21-0

11/6 Greater Atl. Christian W 45-14

11/13 Pepperell W 24-0

11/20 Jefferson W 30-22

11/27 Cook W 26-0

12/4 Fitzgerald W 38-28

— Jeff Haws