Wolves look to get back to championship form

BUFORD, Ga. – Buford quickly found out how unforgiving Class 7A football can be last season. 

The Wolves began the 2022 campaign with their usual dominance, going undefeated, winning the Region 8-7A title and storming past Peachtree Ridge in a dominant 63-6 win in the first round of the playoffs.

What followed, however, is probably what lingers most on the Wolves’ minds.

Buford fell at home in the second round to Walton 42-35 in their earliest playoff exit since 1999. A second-round playoff loss would not constitute a disappointing season for almost any high school football team. It was absolutely that for a Buford program that has played in 18 state championship games since 2001 and won 13.

Head Coach Bryant Appling said it was a reminder of how unforgiving life in Georgia 7A football can be.

“7A is different, and if you overlook anybody in 7A, really from the first round on, you’re liable to get beat,” Appling said. “I just felt like we were so worried about the weeks ahead of that game instead of worrying about that game. I just think we played an undisciplined game. That was the bottom line.”

Appling, however, said the loss may have served as a wake-up call for this year’s team.

“They were sitting there with three weeks left in the season not playing,” Appling said. “I definitely think that helped out the motivation and the effort level early in the offseason. I’ve seen a different level of competitiveness.”

The Wolves, who were recently voted the No. 1 public-school team in High School Football America’s preseason rankings,  are locked and loaded for the 2023 campaign, and with the addition of the country’s top-rated quarterback and Georgia-commit, Dylan Raiola, they have one of the top rosters in the state, if not the country. 

Raiola completed 178 of 278 passes (64%) for 2,435 yards, 22 TDs and 5 INT while leading the Wolves to the Arizona High School state semifinals. Raiola will have some quality weapons to get the ball to. Buford will have a talented receiver room with multiple Power 5 recruits.
K.J. Bolden is being recruited for his prowess as a defensive back, but he will also be a top target in the Wolves’ passing game. The same goes for fellow two-way player Tyshun White.

Even beyond those two, though, Appling said there are plenty more talented receivers that will see playing time.

“Jeremiah Colbert is one of those track guys that are going to stretch the field for us. Alex Knight is another one,” Appling said. “Kyle Carpenter is a basketball player that was young last year, so he didn’t play a lot, but he showed a lot of promise in spring practice.”

In the backfield, the Wolves lost their biggest rushing threat Justice Haynes to graduation. But the Wolves have another Power 5 back ready to take the lead. 

Appling said the Wolves have a stable of backs ready to take their turn in the backfield. Justin Baker returns after playing as the primary backup to Haynes as a sophomore. Kobi Blackwell, Dylan McCoy and Ethan Ervin will also rotate in.

“Justin’s probably going to be the first one to take a snap because he’s doing everything exactly right on and off the field. He’s a great kid and a great leader,” Appling said.

On defense, Buford returns star power at a couple of positions, including pass rusher. 

Eddrick Houston will anchor the defensive line from his end position. The rising senior has offers from Georgia, Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and USC and racked up 10 sacks in 2022.

“He’s 6-foot-5, 270 pounds and runs a high-23, low-24 200-meter sprint,” Appling said. “He’s an athlete, but he’s a big kid too. He’s going to be mixing it up with offensive tackles every single down.”

Last year, Buford entered the season looking to replace virtually its entire linebacking corps from 2021, helping cultivate a stocked cupboard at the position for 2023.

“I’m very excited about this position group,” Appling said. “We didn’t lose a lot, and we had a bunch of young guys that stepped up in the spring and provided us with some serious depth.”

Bryson Banks returns after a breakout junior year, and Jaden Perlotte also returns at the team’s “star” position. As a sophomore, he had 24 tackles, four pass breakups, and two interceptions.
Brock Walker and Ethan Ervin will start at outside linebacker.

Appling said the secondary is a unit with a chip on its shoulder after a bad performance against a dynamic Walton passing attack in their second-round playoff loss. They also have plenty of talent to go along with that chip. Highly-recruited prospects K.J. Bolden and Tyshun White both return for their senior years and will start at the two safety spots.

“They’re definitely seasoned vets now. Tyshun played a lot as a freshman, and K.J. really came on as a sophomore. They’re definitely the quarterbacks of the defensive backfield,” Appling said.

GRADUATION STINGS
The Wolves lost several talented players to graduation, including QB Dylan Wittke, RB Justice Haynes, OL Paul Mubenga, OL Ian Chandler, DT Aiden Jeter,  LB Ryan McKinnis, DE Alijah Williams and P Cole Taylor all graduated. 

EXPLOSIVE ON OFFENSE?
Buford will use multiple formations, from shotgun to under-center single-back and even old-school I-formation. Appling loves to run the football, but you may see the Wolves throw the ball more this year than most with the addition of top-rated quarterback Dylan Raiola.
“Pro-style does lean you towards being multiple and seeing what your strengths are before you make a game plan or start installing things. We definitely have some strengths in a bunch of ways,” he said. “We’re going to be very balanced. We’re going to have the opportunity to run and throw the ball very well.”

SAME DEFENSIVE STYLE AND MENTALITY
Appling has been running the 3-4 base defense for a long time, but he has evolved as the game has and as Buford has moved up in classification over the years. The Wolves will occasionally switch upfronts but base out of a 3-4 lineup and look to use their speed to their advantage.
“This might be one of the fastest defenses we’ve ever had,” he said. “We’ve had some fast defenses the past couple of years, but top to bottom and even three-deep in some positions, we have guys that are fast. Our defensive line play is very physical, and they can also run guys down and rush the passer.”

THE STRENGTHS ARE NO SURPRISE
Quarterback, linebacker, defensive back – Dylan Raiola transferring in brings Buford an immediate shot in the arm to its passing game. Defensively, the Wolves look to be deep at linebacker after that position was a question mark entering 2022. K.J. Bolden and Tyshun White return at safety to anchor a veteran secondary.

BUT THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS
The Wolves will be replacing dynamic running back Justice Haynes, who is now playing for Alabama. But there is good news at the position as Justin Baker, who already has several Power 5 offers, is set to take over the spot full-time. How he develops will be key to the Wolves' rushing attack. Kobi Blackwell, Dylan McCoy and Ethan Ervin will also rotate in.

LOADED SCHEDULE?
Buford’s non-region schedule is a gauntlet, loaded with out-of-state powers like St. Francis Academy of Maryland and Mallard Creek of North Carolina, along with elite in-state competition like North Cobb and Carver of Atlanta. All eyes will be on the rematch of last year’s heavyweight showdown against Mill Creek in the region. This time it will be on the road. The Hawks may want revenge after Buford beat them for the region title last year, but the Wolves may also want to send a message after watching their cross-county foes hoist the state championship trophy in December.
“Regardless of what the names are on the other side of the field, they’re still going to have enough firepower to beat you on any given night,” Appling said. “We don’t have any time to lollygag around. I’m looking forward to another fun region.”

WHAT’S TRENDING
The Wolves may have not won the Class 7A championship last season, but are a huge favorite to win it this season. With a roster full of Power 5 athletes, the Wolves will be the target of every opponent this season. However, the question will be, do those opponents have enough firepower to keep up with the potentially explosive and dominant Wolves?