Friday Game Night

When Gunner Stockton trotted out to start the second half of the SEC Championship game Saturday night for Georgia against the big, bad Texas Longhorns (yes, sarcasm), who didn’t feel a sudden case of the serious “uh ohs” about the Bulldogs’ chances?

Travis Noland is no stranger to state title games. He took a pair of Oconee County teams to the finals in 2019 and 2020.

The last ride at Tom Riden Stadium, home of the Buford Wolves since 1990, proved disappointing as No. 1 Carrollton beat No. 2 Buford 30-17 Friday night in the Class 6-A state semifinals.

It’s semifinal week for the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) and two northeast Georgia teams are among the 32 programs still left scattered across the eight classifications.

When a new-look Buford offense opened the 2024 campaign on the road against defending Class 7A Milton way back on Aug. 16, some early-season offensive growing pains certainly were to be expected.

Jefferson coach Travis Noland said he’ll never be mistaken for a rocket scientist.

Walker McCrary lifted himself out of the basement and into the Friday Game Night Pick 'EM Playoff standings.

It’s the game the entire state wanted. Even Buford coach Bryant Appling acknowledged they have had a sideways glance going themselves as the season wore on.

The foundation of any football team is the offensive line. Just ask Jefferson quarterback Gavin Markey.

Then there were two.