By: Kenneth Harrison

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The 2024 high school football season is kicking off next month. One of the new developments is that class 7A has been eradicated and 6A is now the highest classification.

We are going to look at the Buford Wolves and see how they will do this season.

Buford is always a state championship contender. They have 14 football state championships from single A up to 6A. They have one championship prior to the year 2000.

This year will be no different. They have a very talented roster so I expect them to have another great season.

Last season they were 11 – 2. Buford was 9 – 1 during the regular season with their only loss to Mill Creek, 31 – 24. They advanced to the third round of the playoffs and lost to Grayson, 19 – 14.

They have the No. 13 ranked recruit in the state, four-star linebacker Jadon Perlotte. He’s 6’3, 210 pounds and he’s committed to Georgia.

Offensive tackle Brayden Jacobs is also a four-star recruit and the No. 16 player in Georgia. He’s 6’7 and 310 lbs. so he’s a behemoth, especially at the high school level. He’s committed to Clemson.

Four-star corner back Devin Williams is the 21^st ranked player in Georgia and he’s an Auburn commit.

Three-star linebacker Mantrez Walker has committed to Colorado.

Running back Justin Baker is a three-star recruit and he’s committed to Tennessee. He also runs track so he has good speed.

Wide receiver Jordan Allen is also a three-star recruit and he’s committed to Louisville.

Three-star linebacker AJ Holloway is committed to South Carolina.

Junior defensive lineman Bryce Perry-Wright is a four-star recruit and the No. 5 player in the class of 2026 in Georgia.

Four-star corner back Nassir McCoy is also a junior.

Buford is in AAAAAA Region 8. Their non-region schedule to start the season is pretty tough.

The first game is August 16^th on the road against the defending 7A champs, Milton. The Eagles are very talented so I think this game can go either way. It’s too tough to call but I will give the advantage to Milton.

Week 2 is the home opener against Benedectine (Savannah). The Cadets are in 4A but they are a very good program. They were 13 – 1 in 2023. The Wolves will win this game.

Buford travels to Roswell after a bye week. The Hornets were 11 – 2 last year and they also have a very good program. I think Buford will win a close game.

The final non-region game is at Douglas County. The Tigers were 13 – 1 last season and they expect to have similar results in 2024. The Wolves will win this game.

The region schedule begins September 20^th at Discovery (Lawrenceville). The Titans are one of the newer schools in Gwinnett County and they have not had much success. They were 1 – 9 in 2023. This is a blowout win.

After another bye week they play Collins Hill at home. Collins Hill has produced some great players but they are inconsistent as a program. Last season they were 5 – 7. This is another W.

The last four games are against Dacula, Central Gwinnett, Mountain View (Lawrenceville) and Mill Creek (Hoschton). The only team that has a chance to beat Buford is Mill Creek. The Hawks won last year’s matchup and they were 12 – 1. I believe Buford will get their revenge this year.

I think Buford will win eight or nine regular season games. Their tough schedule should prepare them to make a deep playoff run.