There were two memorable Atlanta sports happenings on Oct. 5, 2012.
On that fall Friday, the Atlanta Braves lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in a one-game a Wild Card playoff game at Turner Field. The game was marked by a controversial in-field fly ruling that went against the Braves and was followed by fans littering the field with popcorn bags, beer cups and trash.
While Atlanta fans were embarrassing themselves, there was another loss going on up the he road at Tom Riden Stadium, home of the Buford Wolves. The scoreboard read Buford 61, West Hall 0, but weeks later the Wolves would be forced to forfeit due to the use of ineligible player.
The last time Buford was actually beaten on the field was earlier that season, Sept. 7, 2012 against Gainesville.
Since the forfeit against West Hall, Buford has won 52 straight games and three state championships. But that streak is in serious danger Friday, when the Wolves travel to No. 2 McEachern of Class AAAAAAA.
It’s hard to get a read on Buford after two games. The Wolves survived a scare from Eastern Christian Academy of Maryland, which is known to be a football factory, but was coming off a 3-9 campaign. Senior safety R.J. Walker returned an interception 62 yards for a touchdown to secure a closer-than-expected 27-20 win for Buford. In Week 2, the Wolves unleased a 77-0 whipping on Berkmar, a Class AAAAAA that went 0-10 last season.
Last year’s Buford squad featured more than a dozen players that went on to play at the next level, many of them at major college programs. Anytime you graduate that many next-level stars, the talent level is going to take a step back. But Buford has been so go for so long that it’s hard to imagine Jess Simpson’s program isn’t stockpiled with more talent.
We’ll certainly find out more about the Wolves tonight, because McEachern is loaded. Quarterback Bailey Hockman is committed to Georgia and receivers Tyler Smith, Tyler Simmons and C.J. Windham all expected to play at the next level.
