BUFORD, Ga. — 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.
They had a reworked offensive line, a new quarterback, and a new receiving corps they were anticipating to break in. Running back Justin Baker returned but was the leading rusher back with just 471 yards in 2023.
A season-low 10 points (just 8 produced by the offense) was the result. But like a new car, or a new baseball glove, it takes time to break things in.
The Wolves followed that effort with 29 against a rebuilding Benedictine defense in a nail-biting 29-28 win. Now, 11 weeks down the road, and both of those opening games turned out to be the low water-mark of the season for the offense.
Since then, the offense has displayed that trademark Buford toughness and balance that coaches and fans have come to expect. The Wolves have scored 31 or more in every game since, averaging 44.27 points/game in that span, including wins over state semifinalist Douglas County (6A), and ranked teams Collins Hill, Mill Creek, Lowndes, and North Gwinnett
Coach Bryant Appling said several factors have been in play as the season has wound its way to the playoffs.
“The (offensive line) has worked hard and made tremendous progress from last year,” Appling said. “They’ve got some toughness about them that I really like. They take pride in the fact that we can run the football, and that's what we want to do to start off. Then, you know, they go up against, you know, some freakish athletes rushing the passer, and they've held their own there as well. It’s been fun to watch.”
Sophomore Noah Nixon, juniors Graham Houston and Preston Clark, and seniors Brayden Burton and Marcus Major have gotten the start the last two weeks. Junior Ben Mubenga and sophomores Kristian Walcott, Mohammed Khalid, and Silas Osborne all rotate in steadily during the game giving them nine quality players they can mix-and-match.
There was some early indications they may have something when the Wolves outrushed Milton 109-90 for the game despite the loss.
The line has paved the way for a brutal rushing attack, the longtime trademark of the Buford offense, led by Baker (980 yards, 12 TD, 4 100-yard games). The Wolves will feature 6 or 7 other running backs during the game. Seniors Ethan Ervin (722 yards, 7 TD) and Ty Green (505 yards, 7 TD) give them three backs with over 500 yards.
Another major key has been the progression of junior quarterback Dayton Raiola. That Milton start was his first on the varsity level. He finished 7-of-13 for 92 yards and had no turnovers against the Eagles. But he has mirrored the offense as a whole, getting steadily better with each week.
Raiola enters the Class 6A semifinal showdown against Carrollton on Friday at Tom Riden Stadium with 1,797 yards, 19 TDs, and just 3 INT on the season.
“I'm proud of Dayton. He's found a way to do the same thing the whole team has done: improve every week,” Appling said. “Him controlling our offense and getting everybody in the right spot, pointing out the blocking scheme, and all that stuff has been critical as far as, like, having a coach on the field. He's very, very in tune with what we're trying to do, not just from the quarterback position, but from all positions.”
The Wolves already have ventured farther in the playoffs in 2024 than they did in either of their two seasons in Class 7A. Appling explained there was probably a key reason why.
“I feel like we peaked early last couple year, maybe after Week 6, 7, or 8 maybe,” he said. “We never really got any better after that. We kept playing and looked good. But when we ran up against somebody that could play as well as you or better, we didn't look great and we were knocked out early.
“I really don’t think we’ve peaked to the level I think we can be. Hopefully we have another spike this weekend.”
The Trojans offer one of those programs that is as good on the field as the Wolves. The Carrollton offense is averaging 47.46 ppg and has scored 40 or more in 11 straight games. Defensively they are allowing 13.54 ppg for the season but have given up just 26 points (8.7 ppg) in the playoffs.
“We know what type of team they are. We know what we got in our lap as far as you know, preparing for them,” Appling said. “It will be the biggest challenge of the season for us. We’re looking forward to it.”
CLASS 6A SEMIFINALS
CARROLLTON at BUFORD
Records: Trojans (13-0, No. 1 seed Region 2-6A); Wolves (12-1, No. 1 seed Region 8-6A)
Last week: Carrollton beat Hillgrove, 46-6; Buford beat North Gwinnett, 43-7
Where: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
Radio: WDUN AM 550
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Buford leads series 3-0. All four meetings now will have been in the playoffs, and all since 2016. Buford won 21-6 at home in the 2021 Class 6A semifinals. The two teams have been ranked Nos. 1 and/or 2 all season atop the classification and both are ranked in the top 25 of virtually every national poll. Both teams have destroyed their opponents in the playoffs. Buford has outscored their first three playoff opponents 142-23 while the Trojans have outscored their three opponents 141-26.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2024/12/1275404/football-o-line-qb-progress-has-paced-buford-offenses-steady-rise