So I attended the Class AA Football State Final this past Saturday at Buford High School in Buford, GA, between the Buford Wolves and the Lovett Lions. Score Atlanta asked me to cover this event as I have been following the Class AA playoffs for them the past few weeks, and this column will be found in the next issue of Score Atlanta which will come out Wednesday. You can also visit www.scoreatl.com this Wednesday to read it, along with my other articles (North Cobb, Kennesaw Mountain, McEachern notebooks, Catching up with the Vision, and the Girls basketball Top 10). Or you can pick up a copy at one of 1300 locations across the state. I was also interviewed by the TV station covering the game. I had to give a break down of the Lovett School for their crew. That will air Monday and Wednesday when they show the game on CSS. I'm not going to lie, I'm going global here. As Ron Burgundy would say, "I'm kind of a big deal." (Well, not really, but I can dream can't I?)
Now, on to the real reason I am posting this. There is some debate on whether the first few lines of the piece will be run. Troublemaker. Yep, that's what I am, a troublemaker!
Two Very Different Schools of Thought
One looking to describe the atmosphere of the Class AA State Championship game held last Saturday in Buford need only look at the official haircut of the University of Florida: very mullet-esque. It was very business in the front (of the line where Buford fans were) and party in the back (of the parking lot where the Lovett fans were tailgating). Many Buford supporters arrived as early as 1 pm for the 6 pm game and waited in line, in the cold, harsh weather truly meant only for football. The Buford faithful were also circulating a story from one of the local newspapers that a Lovett defensive player had “talked smack!” A sense of entitlement also was in the air as several parents and school officials seemed insulted that it had been so long since the championship game was held at Buford. When asked if he thought Buford could win, one man simply howled and proclaimed, “Buford wins by 50!”
The feeling was less business-like on the visitors’ side of the parking lot. While the line to enter Buford’s side of the stadium was already snaking around the bus loop, Lovett’s crowd was sitting and enjoying tailgating under tents, while avoiding the weather. Many fans felt the occasion was reason for a party, since no one thought they’d make it this far. While the Buford side of the stadium was jam-packed by 4:50, the Lovett faithful FINALLY left their tailgates around 5:45 and got in just before kickoff. On the way in though, realism was starting to hit. Several boosters were predicting a blowout in Buford’s favor, and parents just wanted the Lions to keep it close.
During the game, as the sky poured down rain and the Wolves poured on points, both teams’ fans were strong with their voices, but Buford ultimately won out 50-0. While the Lovett fans quickly bolted back to their cars to escape the rain, Buford fans stayed and cheered their team. One brave Buford booster even boasted after the game, “We’d take down Lowndes too!” Yes the feeling of entitlement was justified and the swagger is back at Buford.
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