Buford and Warner Robins will square off on Friday for the Class AAAAA championship. Buford will be seeking its 12th state championship and Warner Robins will be after its sixth.
Here are three players from Buford and three players from Warner Robins who will have an impact on the championship game:
Buford
Quarterback Jarvis Evans Jr.: Evans has grown into the role of starting quarterback this season. He's good size (6-4, 210) and throws a nice pass when it's called. He has played through an injury and should be healthy for the state championship game. Evans will need to manage the game and avoid mistakes against the aggressive Warner Robins defense.
Offensive tackle Seth McLaughlin: The senior plays on a very talented offensive line. At 6-4, 270, he and his mates are responsible for protecting Evans and opening lanes for whichever running back Buford opts to maximize. McLaughlin is an intelligent guy who has a mean streak once he hits the field and wants to ball carrier to run behind him. McLaughlin is expected to play center in college; he has committed to Alabama.
Kicker Hayden Olsen: The kicker at Buford doesn't normally warrant much attention, since the Wolves generally win by lopsided scores. But Olsen has earned a reputation for being a steady guy who can put kickoffs into the end zone, deliver an extra point and kick a field goal when necessary. He kicked the game-winning 28-yarder at the buzzer to beat Carrollton in the third round of the playoffs. Olsen is equally reliable as a punter.
Warner Robins
Running back Jahlen Rutherford: Rutherford runs larger than his size (5-foot-, 185 pounds) and has good speed that gives him the ability to take it to the house. He's steady, which will be useful in a game against Buford's rugged defense. And he has the ability to be a workhorse – he had 26 carries against Jonesboro. Starr's Mill coach Chad Phillips said Rutherford seems to "run angry." Such determination will help in the championship game.
Wide receiver Marycall Jones: The senior doesn't have the gaudy numbers he posted a year ago when he set a state record for receiving yards with 2,046. He's caught 41 passes for 773 yards (an 18.9 yard average) and two touchdowns. Jones is double-teamed on virtually every play, but that has opened the door for teammates like Armon Porter, Ty'larrious Carr and Daveon Walker. Jones has committed to Memphis.
Linebacker Ahmad Walker: The junior is an athletic inside linebacker who has already taken a visit to Wisconsin and has drawn interest from Georgia Tech and South Carolina. At 6-foot, 225 pounds, Walker will need to have a big game and help stop the Buford running game – regardless of who the Wolves have in the backfield.
About the Author
