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Buford Wolves Win AAAA State Championship
Two teams came into the state championship with a lot of friends on the opposing side, but in a state champi-
onship, friendship is for before and after the game. During the game it was all business as Buford got eight touchdowns from seven different players on their way to a 55-10 whitewashing of the St. Pius Golden Lions. Buford won their third straight title and first in AAAA. It was their 11th state title and 10th since 2001.
The Wolves started slow as St. Pius jumped out to a 10-0 lead before Buford erupted for 55 points. St. Pius’ Joey Connors recovered a fumble from Evyn Cooper at the 13-yard line and Michael Matthews connected on a 26-yard field with 10:46 left in the first period to give the Golden Lions a 3-0 lead. After Bu-ford had to punt, Dalton Wilson broke tackles on a 4th-and-1 and broke free for a 60-yard touchdown with 4:14 left in the period. But it was all Buford from there on.
In fact, the Wolves scored 34 points in an eight minute span. Brett Shepherd came in and ran a 61-yard touchdown out of the wildcat formation with 3:51 left in the first. Matthew Bonadies hit the extra point and Buford trailed 10-7. After getting the ball back, the Wolves tried some trickery as Luke Humphrey’s lateral pass was thrown to Brandon Marsh who hit Aaron Auer on a 38-yard touchdown strike. Bonadies added the PAT and Buford led 14-10 with 1:08 left in the period.
Buford sacked St. Pius quarterback Reed Egan at the 1-yard line to end the first period. On the first play of the second period David Curry ran back a punt 40 yards for the touchdown. The clock said 11:58. Bonadies added the extra point and Buford led 21-10. Quay Picou picked up a fumble and raced 9 yards on the first play from scrim-mage and Buford led 27-10 as the extra point was no good.
The Wolves got the ball back again after a short punt and Evyn Cooper scampered in from 8-yards out for another touchdown with 8:07 left in the half. Buford would drive with two minutes left but Dalton Wilson intercepted Humphrey and Buford went into halftime leading 34-10.
Buford got the ball to start the third period and Joshua Thomas scored on a 15-yard run. Bonadies added the kick and Buford led 41-10.
St. Pius had an opportunity to get the lead
under 30 but Matthews missed a 26-yard field goal. Humphrey then found Auer for a 60 yard touchdown with 57 second left in the third. Bonadies gave the Wolves a 48-10 lead.
Connor Tarleton finished the scoring with a 1-yard run with 2:12 to go in the game. The extra point gave the Wolves a 55-10 lead. Buford went 15-0. They ran the streak to 40 games and won their 7th title in the last eight years and third in a row.
“We have great leadership and we’re well coached,” said Buford athletic director Dexter Wood. “This is
such a special day. Coach Standard and St. Pius are such a class act,” said Buford head coach
Jess Simpson. “These seniors--I am so blessed. The coaches I get to work with, the community. This is a special day. Thank you so much. We have high expectations here. The defense was lights out. They grinded and worked to get to this point.”
Buford rushed for 178 yards on just 24 carries. Brett Shepherd led the way with 95 yards on 5 carries. Luke Humphrey was 7-14-137. Brandon Marsh was 1-1-38 and a touchdown. Aaron Auer led the way with 4 recep-tions for 127 yards. All together the
Buford offense had 343 yards of offense while the Golden Lions were held to 103
rushing and 81 passing.
BY MARK BLUMEN
BUFORD FOOTBALL4444 2014 STATE CHAMPIONS
BUFORD WOLVES FOOTBALL | Page 3
Buford High School prides itself on Triple A ExcellenceExcellence in Academics, Excellence in Athletics and Excellence in the Arts! The mission of Buford High School is to empower students to
reach their full potential as lifelong learners and effective members of society by inspiring them to think, to achieve, and to care.
La-Z-Boy
ShurekAccounting & Tax
Zaxby’s
City of Buford
Free Chapel
John D. Stephens
CHOA
Taco Mac
People’s Bank & Trust
Chick Fil A Mall of GA
Children’s Orthopeadics of Atlanta
Toyota Mall of Georgia Auto Nation
Rick Hendrick
CBJB (Walt Britt)
Breaux & Associates
Shaw Hankins
Ted’s Montana Grill
RF Knox
Buffalo’s
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FROM THE DOME4444 BUFORD 55 - ST. PIUS 10
Dexter Wood, Buford Athletic Director
Special Thanks to David McGregorandBrian Oliver for contributingthe pictures in this publication
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BUFORD WOLVES FOOTBALL | Page 5
1899 Buford Highway, Buford, GA 30518
(770) 932-1900 www.peoplesbanktrust.com
[email protected] Bank & Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. It is the policy of the Bank to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities
to all qualified individuals. The Bank does not discriminate against any qualified employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disabled or veteran status.
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2014 BUFORD WOLVES4444 LEADERSHIP, EXCELLENCE, CLASS
SENIOR CLASS
Aaron Auer
Matthew Bonadies
Elijah Bryant
EvynCooper
TravisDeGoey
DavidCurry
RyanDobbs
BlakeFerguson
HunterHolland
KonnorHouston
LukeHumphrey
BradyJackson
BrandonMangram
JordanPerlotte
QuayPicou
NickPolino
StevenReese
Shane Robinson
TylerShipman
GrantSimonds
AustinSmith
ConnorTarleton
JoshuaThomas
AveryTurner
Photos Used With Permission of Buford High School
BUFORD WOLVES FOOTBALL | Page 7
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2014 BUFORD WOLVES4444 LEADERSHIP, EXCELLENCE, CLASS
DaleAdams
Tanner Alexander
KJAnderson
DavidAndrade
Chee Anyanwu
CalebAuer
TreyBell
JoshuaBlackwell
EdgarBravo
PrestonBrown
JarettBurgos
Alan Bussoletti
Jacob Cardiello
Nick Chmielowicz
Innis Claud
Shug Frazier
Alan Frazier
Xavier Gantt
Will Graddick
Nathan Haines
Jack Hollis
Alex Kirchner
Tyler Klein
Tyreque Legrant
AJ Wansley
Hank White
2014 WOLVESPhotos Used With Permission of Buford High School
BUFORD WOLVES FOOTBALL | Page 9
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2014 BUFORD WOLVES4444 LEADERSHIP, EXCELLENCE, CLASS
Mack LeGrant
Martin Mangram
Brandon Marsh
Jacob Martin
Connor Mills
Juan Morales
Isaac Nauta
Jack Ness
Matthew Parker
Reid Parks
Tyler Perkins
DJ Pinkard
Dean Powell
Mic Roof
T.D. Roof
Garrett Scoggins
Brett Shepherd
Jake Simpson
Cooper Simpson
Blayne Snow
Tyler Thurmond
Dillon Vann
Brytun Walker
RJ Walker
STATE CHAMPSPhotos Used With Permission of Buford High School
BUFORD WOLVES FOOTBALL | Page 11
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2014 BUFORD WOLVES4444 LEADERSHIP, EXCELLENCE, CLASS
WOLVES2 0 1 4 B U F O R D
F O O T B A L L
2014 SENIORS
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2014 BUFORD WOLVES4444 COACHES AND ASSISTANTS
JESS SIMPSON
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
Coaching Experience: 23 years: 2 years- Auburn University
1 year-Marietta High School 1 year-Paulding High School19 years-Buford High School
Teaching Area: Physical Education
Degrees: Auburn University, B.S. in Marketing EducationNorth Georgia College, Masters of Physical Education
University of Alabama, Specialist of Administration and Ed. Leadership
4Overall Record of 138 - 8 as Buford’s Head Coach- State Champions in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and State Runner Up in 2011
42014 Rawlings Southeast Coach of the Year, American Football Quarterly42012, 2013 & 2014 AP and AJC Coach of the Year
42007 & 2010 Atlanta TD Club, Wright Bazemore All-Classification Coach of the Year Award42011 Atlanta Falcons NFL High School Coach of the Year42011 Russell Athletic National Coach of the Year Finalist
*2010 AP Coach of the Year42013 – Buford Offense set the GHSA record for most points scored in a season4Defenses posted 7 shutouts in 2007 & 9 shutouts in 2009 - all school records
4Coached 42 All-State Players since 2005493 Players have signed Scholarships this decade - 44 Division 1
42009 AP, AJC Class AA Coach of the Year42009 Sports Champions of Greater Atlanta - Coaches Award
42008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, & 2014 Atlanta TD Club Coach of the Year*2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, & 2014
Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year42008 Coached in Georgia’s North South All-star Game - Columbus, GA42008 Buford defeats Mansfield Timberview in the Kirk Herbstreit Classic
Dallas, TX - Texas Stadium4Selected to coach in the 2007 & 2011 Under Armour All American Game - Orlando, FL
42007 Buford defeats Grove City in the Kirk Herbstreit ClassicCanton, OH - Hall of Fame Stadium
4Georgia Class A State Champions 2001, Class AA State Champions 2002 & 2003
BY THE NUMBERS
Neal AuerOffensive Coordinator,
Quarterbacks
Bryant ApplingDefensive Coordinator,
Linebackers
Chris WarbingtonOffensive Line
Dicky MaySafeties
David SnellCornerbacks
Bryan RogersDefensive Ends
Drew AnthonyTight Ends
Fyrone DavisRunning Backs
Stan LuttrellLinebackers, Strength & Power Coordinator
Kevin StewartWide Receivers
JJ ChatmonDefensive Line,
JV Assistant
Michael MaySecondary, JV Assistant
Justin JohnsonDirector of Football Opera-
tions & Technology
Sean Gilbert9th Grade Head Coach
Matt Jones9th Grade Assistant
Patrick Gantt9th Grade Assistant
Jake McCroskey9th Grade Assistant
Chris Demaline, A.T.C.
Athletic Trainer
Ryan LiccardoExercise/Rehab Specialist
Dr. John Alsobrook
Sports Medicine Physician
Dr. Steve Hatfield
Doctor of Physical Therapy
ASSISTANTS
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COACHING STAFF4444 2014 BUFORD WOLVES
Coach Bryan Rogers Coach Chris Demaline Coach Chris Warbington
Coach David Snell
Coach Jake McCroskey
Coach JJ Chatmon
Coach Justin Johnson Coach Kevin Stewart
Coach Matt Jones
Coach Ryan Liccardo
Coach Stan Luttrell
Coaches Dicky & Michael May
Coach Drew Anthony Coach Sean Gilbert
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2014 BUFORD WOLVES4444 ONE TO REMEMBER
Buford Electric as Wolves Scalp Indians 27-20Defense makes last second stand in Sept. 5, 2014 game
The old adage says defense is what wins championships. The Buford Wolves proved that in the September 5, 2014 game at Tom Riden Stadium when McEachern’s freshman quarterback Bailey Hock-man’s throw into the end zone was batted away by David Curry preserving the Wolves 27-20 come-from-behind victory over the preseason No. 1 team in AAAAAA.
Buford got the opening kickoff, and just six plays into the game Buford’s Luke Humphrey was intercepted by Andrew Heyward who returned the interception 69 yards for the score.
The extra point was missed and for the first time in the season the Wolves trailed 6-0 with 10:04 left in the first period.
However, the Wolves pinned the Indians down in their own territory, and when the Indians punter, Tyler Smith, had his punt blocked by his own team Buford got a safety to make it 6-2 with 6:06 left in the first period.
Buford got the ensuing kickoff and promptly went on a 55-yard drive with the last 20 yards coming from quarterback Luke Humphrey to Isaiah Nauta. Matthew Bonadies kicked the extra point and the Wolves led 9-6 with 4:16 left in the first period.
Bonadies added a 24-yard field with 10:24 left in the half but that would be the halftime score of 12-6 in favor of the home team.
The Indians got another interception, this time from Bryan Okeh, which set up a Hockman to C.J. Windham for 20-yards. After the PAT by Cesar Dominquez the Indians led again 13-12. Buford promptly answered with a drive and Jordan Thomas
finished the third quarter scoring with an 11-yard run. Sophomore quarter-back Mic Roof came in for an injured Humphrey and led the Wolves the rest of the game.
The Indians again took the lead with 11:09 as Hockman hit TJ Rahming with a 20-yard strike and McEachern led 20-19. That set up some Fourth quarter heroics. The game was back and forth until David Curry returned a punt 36 yards to the 12-yard line. Two plays later Thomas found a hole and scored from 6-yards out. Roof hit Caleb Auer for the 2-point conversion and Buford led 27-20 with 2:15 left. That was enough time for the Indians to drive to the 8-yard line but on 4th down Curry saved the day batting down the pass.
“It’s my first year doing it (returning punts),” said Curry. “I saw a crease and I just took off with it.”
Coach Jess Simpson praised the work of the of-fensive line and the young guys that stepped up. “Our kids don’t panic and they believe in the plan,” Simpson said. “Could you imagine a tougher situa-
tion for a tenth grader, he really played two series including the scrimmage and he (Roof) comes in and is level headed. He did an unbelievable job.”
BY MARK BLUMEN
DEFENSE WINSCHAMPIONSHIPS
BUFORD WOLVES FOOTBALL | Page 17
BY THE NUMBERS4444 2014 BUFORD WOLVES
SEASON OFFENSE SUMMARY
RUSHING CARRIES YARDS TDs 534 3810 67
RECEIVING RECEPs YARDS TDs 84 1396 19
PASSING COMP % YARDS TDs 57 1418 19
SCORING OFF DEF ST 87 3 5
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2014 BUFORD WOLVES4444 LEADERSHIP, EXCELLENCE, CLASS
BUFORD vs Opponents 666 POINTS 8544.4 AVERAGE 5.794 TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS 967 RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS 219 PASSING TOUCHDOWNS 63 DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS 15 SPECIAL TEAMS TOUCHDOWNS 187/93 XP / XPA 7/10 1/1 2 POINT PLAYS 0/05/9 FG / FGA 6/9 3821 RUSHING YARDS 690 522 RUSHING ATTEMPTS 4167.3 RUSHING AVERAGE P/ATT 1.7254.7 RUSHING AVG P/GAME 46 1457 PASSING YARDS 118897.1 PASSING YARDS PER GAME 79.289-156-57% COMP / ATTEMPTS / % 101-256-39% 5278 TOTAL OFFENSE 1878
BUFORD vs Opponents351.9 TOTAL OFFENSE PER GAME 125.29 FUMBLES LOST 147 INTERCEPTIONS 1131-1154 PUNT ATTEMPTS - YARDS 97-327537.2 PUNT AVERAGE 33.8 32-404 PUNT RETURNS - YARDS 5-2712.6 PUNT RETURN AVERAGE 5.419-604 KICKOFF RETURNS - YARDS 51-90431.8 KICKOFF RETURN AVERAGE 17.741-295 OFFENSIVE PENALTIES - YARDS 44-28715-115 SPECIAL TEAM PENALTIES - YARDS 2-2441-425 DEFENSIVE PENALTIES - YARDS 22-17697-835 TOTAL PENALTIES - YARDS 68-487161/86 TOTAL POSSESSIONS / TD’s 164/10232 FIRST QUARTER SCORING 19200 SECOND QUARTER SCORING 13141 THIRD QUARTER SCORING 20100 FOURTH QUARTER SCORING 330 OVERTIME 0229 FIRST DOWNS 10950-115-43% THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS 37-188-20% 19-25-76% FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS 15-35-43%344-2816 FIRST DOWN PLAYS - YARDS 272-661 8.2 FIRST DOWN AVERAGE 2.488 EXPLOSIVE PLAYS (15+ YD. RUNS, 20+ YD. PASS) 2461-62-98% RED ZONE SCORING 6-12-50%9-15-60% FDs BACKED UP INSIDE OWN 20 12-42-29%-44 AVERAGE STARTING POSITION -2631 NEGATIVE PLAYS 12433 3 & OUTS 87103-5550-53.9 KICKOFFS - YARDS - AVG 31-1253-40.4
SEASON GAME SUMMARY
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Congratulations Wolves!
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