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MILTON, GEORGIA – Defense, defense and more defense.

Buford High School, the No. 2 team in SBLive Sports' Georgia Power 25 and the No. 19 ranked squad in the SBLiveSports/Sports Illustrated national Power 25, had the tall task of replacing eight starters from last year’s state championship defense.

That would be enough to cripple most teams in the nation, but not Buford, which dismantled Alabama's Thompson High School, the No. 1 ranked team in the state of Alabama, 38-7, behind a tremendous defensive effort.

The Wolves' defense finished the night with two pick sixes, three forced fumbles and six sacks and forced a benching of Thompson quarterback Zach Sims, who was replaced by freshman Trent Seaborn in the fourth quarter.

Buford's defense absolutely dominated visiting Thompson (Alabama) and a heavyweight season opener at the Freedom Bowl, Friday night in Milton, Georgia.

Buford's defense absolutely dominated visiting Thompson (Alabama) and a heavyweight season opener at the Freedom Bowl, Friday night in Milton, Georgia.

Justin Baker and Bryson Banks were responsible for the two defensive scores for the Wolves while senior defensive end Alijah Williams racked up two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the victory.

The unit pitched a shutout for the first three quarters, holding the Warriors to just 65 yards of offense heading into the final quarter.

Buford head coach Bryant Appling said he couldn’t have been happier with the way his defense played Friday night against the No. 11 team in the SBLive Sports/Sports Illustrated national rankings.

“I’m pleasantly surprised,” Appling said. “As many kids as we had to replace, for those kids to step up… some of them were backups and some of them were freshmen last year that didn’t hardly play at all. They stepped up tonight. Our D-line rushed the passer very well.”

Buford led just 7-0 at the half.

They scored on their first drive of the night, a 10-play, 72-yard drive that was capped off by a 28-yard score from senior quarterback Dylan Wittke to junior wide receiver KJ Bolden on third-and-15.

With the Wolves unable to add to their lead, the Warriors very nearly tied the game at 7-7 midway through the second quarter after a 51-yard run from Michael Dujon gave the Warriors a 1st-and-goal from the Buford 6-yard line.

The Warriors handed off to Dujon again two plays later and this time he was met at the line of scrimmage and fumbled on a big hit that allowed Williams to beat Warrior Sims to the loose ball for the recovery.

Buford led 17-0 heading into the fourth quarter after tacking on a field goal and the first of two pick six’s.

With Sims out of the game, Seaborn led the Warriors on their one and only scoring drive, a 5-play, 60-yard drive that resulted in a 6-yard TD pass.

The score trimmed Buford’s lead to 17-7 with 11:10 left to play, but any chance of a comeback was immediately squashed when 4-star Alabama commit Justice Haynes returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.

Seaborn tossed the Warriors second pick six of the night on the very next play and Haynes later tacked on a 23-yard rushing touchdown to cap the scoring on the night for the Wolves.

Haynes, who transferred from Blessed Trinity, one of Georgia’s premiere private schools, started slow, but finished his debut with 96 yards rushing and a score to pair with his 97-yard kickoff return TD.

Buford's Justice Haynes, a 4-Star Alabama commit, overcame a slow start to rush for 96 yards and two scores. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Buford's Justice Haynes, a 4-Star Alabama commit, overcame a slow start to rush for 96 yards and two scores. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

“He’s pretty electric,” Appling said of Haynes. “I tell everybody all the time that he’s a great player and that his ego is zero. He’s a great kid, great leader and one of the hardest workers in the room. He fits in like a glove around here.”

After conquering Class 5A in 2019 and Class 6A in 2020 and 2021, the Wolves now find themselves in Class 7A for the first time. The Wolves have won three consecutive state championships since Appling took over the program in 2019 and will now look to conquer 7A in 2022.

Ranked as the No. 2 team in Georgia to start the season, Appling and the Wolves viewed Friday night’s rout of Thompson as a statement win to begin the 2022 season.

“I don’t know what to say,” Appling said. “Thompson is a heck of a team. I have a lot of respect for those guys. I’m just so happy for our kids. Every time we move up, people doubt us. I’m not saying we’re perfect because we’re not. And we have a long way to go to be where we want to be at the end of the season. But I’m just happy tonight. I’m going to enjoy this tonight and then we’re going to get back to work tomorrow.”

As for Thompson, the loss marks just their second since the 2019-20 season. They entered Friday night’s matchup winners of 31 games in their last 32 chances.

The Warriors will look to get back on track next Friday against Lipscomb Academy (TN) while the Wolves will look to improve to 2-0 on the season when they tangle with Mallard Creek (NC).

PHOTO GALLERY

(All photos by Kenny Grimes)

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Thompson Warriors football players watch from the sidelines in a 38-7 loss to Buford (GA).
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Thompson football vs Buford August 19, 2022. Photo-Kenny Grimes72
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The Thompson Warriors (AL) were defeated 38-7 by the Buford  Wolves (GA) on August 19, 2022.
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Thompson will face Hoover in the Alabama Class 7A state semifinals on November 18.
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Thompson Buford - August 19, 2022.
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The Thompson Warriors (AL) lost to the Buford Wolves (GA) 38-7 on August 19, 2022.
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Thompson (AL) lost to Buford (GA) 38-7 in its season opener at Milton High School on August 19, 2022.
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