Buford looking for good start on a three-peat

BUFORD - Pressure. Pressure. Pressure.

It can get to those who aren't used to it. But for others, like the Buford Wolves football team, it just comes with the territory of being on one of the state's most successfull programs the last five years.

"When you play for Buford, you have to expect that the expectations are going to be high and that's there's going to be a lot of pressure to perform. It's a lot to ask of kids 15, 16, 17, 18-years-old, but I think they enjoy it," Buford coach Dexter Wood said. "Winning championships is the goal at Buford and anyone coming in here to play understands that."

The Wolves open defense of their Class AA state title Friday night on the road against Class AAA Central Carroll. The Lions finished 3-7 last season and have a new coach this year in Randy Padgett.

Wood said that adds a little more uncertainty.

"Whenever there's a coaching change you're never quite sure what to expect. They're a 3A team in a tough region so they should be pretty good," Wood said.

Buford won the Class A in 2001 to become just one of a handful of teams to win back-to-back titles in two different classifications.

"It was nice to do something like that but that was last year and this is a new season, a new team," Wood said.

Yes and no.

They lost some key players but senior quarterback Kyle Manley returns as does Darius Walker at running back. Ryan Wood returns as the Wolves' leading receiver.

On defense, Jakirra Millsap, Shun Williams Zach Smith and Neil Brown all return to anchor a solid group.

"The defense is what we hang our hats on and I don't think it'll be any different this year. Those guys are some of the best we've ever had and I expect that they'll be even better this year," Wood said.

Respect for the program - and a challenge for his team - was something Wood seeked out in the preseason. He got both after a scrimmage with three-time defending Class AAAAA champ Parkview.

"We lost 10-0 but they scored late and we didn't back down from them," Wood said. "The defense played very, very well. I was pleased with our showing against them. It was more of a celebration of two Gwinnett schools who have won several championships getting together to play. It was fun. but I think we gained a lot of respect."

They already had it.