Buford trying not to look past Darlington

BUFORD - You may have to excuse the Buford football team if it starts to plan ahead a little.

Looming on the horizon next week for the Wolves is a possible showdown with three-time defending Class AA state champion Charlton County.

However, first Buford will have to get by Darlington Friday night in the second round of the state playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Tom Riden Stadium.

Buford (11-0) routed Washington-Wilkes 56-6 last week while Darlington (9-2) pulled away late to beat Callaway 45-28 on the road.

And while almost anyone looks like a mismatch on paper for the Wolves the Tigers pose an interesting matchup. Darlington is playoff-savy having advanced to the playoffs 10 of the last 12 years, including winning the Class A state title in 1998.

But the numbers to know are that Buford is 20-3 at Tom Riden Stadium in the playoffs since the 2000 season with all three losses coming to Charlton County. Darlington is 3-4 on the road in the playoffs since the 2000 season including last week's road win against Callaway.

The 56 points for Buford last week was the most in the playoffs for a Wolves' team since putting up 56 against Blessed Trinity in 2003. And, they did it with their second string quarterback most of the game.

A win for Buford would set up another showdown with Charlton County next week, provided Charlton gets past Fitzgerald.

DARLINGTON TIGERS at BUFORD WOLVES

Buford: 11-0, No. 1 seed from Region 6-AA; beat Washington-Wilkes 56-6 in first round

Darlington: 9-2, No. 3 seed from Region 7-AA; beat Callaway 45-28 in first round

Last meeting: 1999, Buford won 13-7 in the first round of the playoffs (Buford leads series 1-0)