Top-ranked Buford and No. 3 Hughes successfully navigated their way through the Class 6A playoffs and will meet for the championship at 7 p.m. Friday at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium.
Buford will be seeking its third consecutive state championship, 13th since 2001 and 14th overall. Hughes, which opened in 2009, will be making its first appearance in a championship game.
Here’s a preview of the Class 6A final.
Hughes vs. Buford
When, where: 7 p.m. Friday, Center Parc Stadium, Atlanta
Records, rankings: Hughes is 13-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 4-6A and No. 3; Buford is 13-1, the No. 1 seed from 8-6A and No. 1.
Last meeting: Buford won 44-15 in the 2020 Class 6A quarterfinals.
Things to know: This game matches the state’s most frequent champion this century – Buford has won 12 titles since 2001, including the past two, and 13 overall – against a 13-year-old Hughes program playing in the finals for the first time. Neither team has been challenged in the postseason, as both have won all four of their playoff games by at least 15 points. Hughes advanced with a 47-28 semifinal victory last week against Dacula, which finished second behind Buford in Region 8-6A and lost to the Wolves 42-7. Both teams are relatively balanced offensively, rushing for slightly more than they pass. Hughes averages 189.1 yards rushing and 182.9 passing. The offensive leaders are Prentiss Noland (2,473 yards passing), Antonio Martin (953 rushing) and Rodney Shelley (725 receiving). Buford averages 177.8 rushing and 163.6 passing. Ashton Daniels (1,603 yards passing), Victor Venn (911 rushing) and Isaiah Bond (873 receiving) are the leaders. Buford’s Bryant Appling can become the first coach in GHSA history to win three titles in his first three seasons as head coach. His team are 14-0 in playoff games in his three seasons.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Buford 26, Hughes 7
By the numbers:
HUGHES
Record: 13-1
Seed: No. 1 from Region 4-6A
Ranking: No. 3
Points per game: 39.4
Points allowed per game: 8.9
Rushing yards (average per game): 189.1
Passing yards (average per game): 182.9
Total yards (average per game): 372.0
BUFORD
Record: 12-1
Seed: No. 1 from Region 1-6A
Ranking: No. 1
Points per game: 38.8
Points per game allowed: 13.6
Rushing yards (average per game): 256.5
Passing yards (average per game): 94.5
Total yards (average per game): 351.0
Rushing leaders
Hughes
- Antonio Martin Jr. – 953 yards (132 carries, 7.2 yards per carry, 14 touchdowns)
- Jamarion Harris – 436 yards (56 carries, 7.8 yards per carry, 8 touchdowns)
Buford
- Victor Venn – 911 yards (124 carries, 7.3 yards per carry, 10 touchdowns)
- C.J. Clinkscales – 727 yards (121 carries, 6.0 yards per carry, 7 touchdowns)
Passing leaders
Hughes
- Prentiss Noland – 2,473 yards (259 attempts, 166 completions, 33 touchdowns, 7 interception2)
Buford
- Ashton Daniels – 1,603 yards (144 attempts, 101 completions, 16 touchdowns, 3 interceptions)
- Dylan Wittke – 648 yards (63 attempts, 40 completions, 7 touchdowns, 0 interceptions)
Receiving leaders
Hughes
- Rodney Shelley – 725 yards (36 receptions, 20.1 yards per catch, 10 touchdowns)
- Armani Tookes – 583 yards (38 receptions, 15.3 yards per catch, 8 touchdowns)
Buford
- Isaiah Bond – 873 yards (36 receptions, 24.3 yards per catch, 7 touchdowns)
- K.J. Bolden - 498 yards (24 receptions, 20.8 yards per catch, 4 touchdowns)
Defensive/special teams leaders
Hughes
- Michael Watson - 165 total tackles (100 solo), 2 caused fumbles
- Josh Horton - 32 tackles, 39 assists, 5 TFLs, 1 fumble recovery
- Alan Gonzalez - 26-for-36 PATs, no field goals attempted
Buford
- Aubrey Smith - 56 tackles, 30 assists, 12 TFLs, 5 QB pressures
- Nate Norys - 49 tackles, 34 assists, 8 TFLs, 4 QB pressures
- Alejandro Mata - 57-for-60 PATs, 9-for-15 FGs (long of 49)
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