GP JTV presents the 2003 GHC Football semifinals.

Funding for this program is provided in part by Georgia's electric membership corporations.

IBEW Local 613 South Trust Bank Kroger here Dodge Dealers of Georgia, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and by State Farm.

Live from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, it's time for some high school football.

Today, it's the Decatur Bulldogs taking on the Buford Wolves and our second final and seven out of ten games right here on TV.

Dave Garner, along with former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Detroit Lions, Ryan Stewart.

And Ryan, a pleasure to be working with you today.

And tell you what, yesterday we saw some great athletes in that first Double-A semifinal.

Today, we're going to see even more, beginning with Decatur.

Two undefeated teams out here this Saturday afternoon.

We're looking forward to it.

Both teams predominantly run the ball, but we do have a good passer when it comes to the Decatur Bulldogs that's going to be behind the arm of Ellis George, a very good quarterback that can scramble.

But when it comes to passing, he's had 17 TDs, only five interceptions thrown for right under 2000 yards.

And he's a quarterback to be reckoned with in this league.

Well, when you get to the run, you know, you have to look to number two.

Johnny Hambrick, not often at any level, college, high school, or do you see a running back with 2000 yards?

But Johnny Hambrick does have 2000 yards looking to get over that.

Well, today.

We caught up with first year head coach Steve Davenport to get his thoughts on today's matchup against Buford.

What we're going to try to be aggressive.

That's the thing that dictators has led to the key to success.

So far this year, we've been aggressive on both offense and defense side of the ball.

Offensively, we're going to try to take advantage of what the opposition's given us.

If they're trying to stop the run with a lot of people in the box, then we're going to try to throw against them.

If they choose to drop people back in the secondary, then we're going to try to run it.

I think it's just a situation where we'll we'll see when we get there.

We've practiced and prepared all year for either one.

So if it's a running game, it's because before trying to stop the pass, if it's a passing game for us, it's because they're trying to stop the run.

Defensively, we said, we've got to stop.

Mr. Walker.

I got a lot of a lot of respect for him and accomplishments he has.

So we feel like if we can stop Mr. Walker, if they really slow him down, then we can force people into doing something that maybe they're uncomfortable doing now.

Buford has been dubbed the Parkview of Double-A, but before it's 143 in a row in Parker, he's not here this week.

And I think before he's made a pretty good name for themselves.

Trying to get that third straight championship.

And you heard Coach Davenport say it just now.

They're going to have to stop Mr. Walker and Mr. is exactly what you got to call this guy.

He's rushing for right around under 2000 yards, 1871 yards, right under two yards per carry.

He's got 40 TDs and he's about to break a record for that school and 85 rushing yards in his career, right over 51, up to 5000 yards on the ground.

So he's a very good running back to be reckoned with.

And when it comes to defense, they're going to be behind number 64.

Antonio Brown, he's a three year starter, 31 offers when it comes to playing football after college.

He's a good guy on defense to be watching this afternoon.

Dexter what is knight season.

We also sat down with him to get his thoughts on today's matchup.

Well, priority for us starts with our defense and being able to stop the run.

We have a good defensive front in and we feel like if we can force team into doing something they didn't want to do, which is pass the ball, although I know Dexter can throw it at times.

Well, it's just our philosophy to do that.

And then when you turn around on offense, it's the same thing.

We got to try to establish the run because, you know, we've got a great tailback and and we believe we try to establish the line of scrimmage with our offensive line.

I do feel like we're fully dimensional and I feel like with our quarterback and receivers we can throw at times.

But obviously success for us means being able to run the.

Football in our first grade.

Meet the third member of our broadcast team here today, it's Mr. David Zaleski.

And once again, he's standing on the sideline.

David, what's going on?

Thanks a lot, Dave.

You know, I also had a chance to talk with before Coach Dexter Wood about this winning streak, and he said he and his players are just going to try to ignore it and focus strictly on Decatur.

You know, he says you can't look at the Decatur teams of all.

You can't study them that way.

You got to look at this undefeated squad who seems to have a knack for finding their opponents weaknesses and capitalizing on those mistakes.

That up to you, Dave.

All right.

There you have it.

Thanks a lot, Dave.

We're going to be looking forward to throwing it down to you today.

Right.

Looking for a very physical football game.

A lot of people feel like it's going to be takeda's front four on defense against Buford Offensive Line.

Can they open up the holes for Darius Walker?

It's going to be one matchup today and watch out for.

Two undefeated teams.

And you're exactly right, Dave, whoever wins the vicious in the battle offensive line, defensive line matchup that's will probably win this ballgame this afternoon.

Daniel Buford, 43, wins in a row.

They are carrying the torch for Gwinnett County in these playoffs against Barkby, Brooklyn.

All the teams going home.

So it should be fun again.

Coming up right here on TV, it's the second semifinal, Buford Indicator going at it.

We'll have the kickoff for you right after this.

Invite him had.

A pair of 13 and oh teams squaring off this afternoon in the Georgia Dome.

Once again, Dave Gardner, Ryan Stewart with you David's elsewhere on the sideline with his 13 it owed to Carter Bulldogs taking on the 13 and oh Buford woes you get a look at the view for cheerleaders who have made the trip over today from Gwinnett County captains meeting at midfield.

And of course, both of these teams coming in here undefeated and a much different Decatur team that we saw from last year.

Ryan four and six during the regular season.

I tell you what, Coach Davenport, he has my vote for coach of the year.

Because Davenport's done a wonderful job.

He was a lot of people forget and he was the Southwest, the Cavs offensive coordinator, right.

When they went to the national championship, I believe, in 1995.

So this guy knows offense, this guy knows football, played at Georgia Tech, four year Letterman.

He's an incredible coach for Dexter.

What a product of the University of Alabama coach of the Year in 94, 2000, one and 2000 to his ninth season at Buford, he had a three year stint at Marietta as well and has done an excellent job with this Buford program.

Of course, they're going to look at some of the wolves huddled on the sideline here.

Some final thoughts heading into kickoff.

And I'm excited about this one right here, Ron.

I tell you what, a lot of people have called this the University of Buford.

I mean, that's exactly how much success they've had and how strong they are coming into this football game.

But I'm also excited to see Decatur, Decatur winning the coin toss, deferring the football.

Buford will receive the ball.

So we'll see that powerful offense right off the bat.

Yeah.

Coach Ward looking for his 43rd win, trying to get that third straight championship.

He's played some incredible football.

Both of these teams have great player that's going to move on and be playing football on Saturdays at the college level.

So this is look forward to seeing them this afternoon.

You know.

We talk about the wolves on offense, but defensively they've got five season shutouts, five regular season shutouts.

Their defense is also focus.

And here come the Decatur Bulldogs 13 at old out of Region five, Steve Davenport in his first season.

And here come the Buford Wolves through the banner.

As we get set for kickoff again both teams at 13 and oh, the winner will play Charlton County next week for the state championship.

Of course, Charlton with the victory yesterday over Vidalia and a very good football game, Charlton made the place where they had to.

We saw some good athletes in that game today and as we said, up top, some great athletes in this one.

When it comes to Decatur as well as Buford.

These teams are undefeated, as we've mentioned a few times already, but they don't know it losing.

Right.

So somebody at the end of this game is going to be very upset, a little sad, but there's going to be a winner and that team is going to go on and be undefeated regular season.

Decatur, there you go.

Look at their numbers.

Rushing yards, well over 3000, 46 touchdowns.

They can also throw the football.

It was Georgia over 1800 yards passing 17 touchdowns defensively.

They've also scored three times as well.

Two very good defenses in the House.

Today, two very good defenses.

That's going to be a lot of takeaways.

Both of these teams are going to try to establish a run and keep the ball in the ground where is.

But when it goes to the air, Ellis, Georgia, like you mentioned, is a guy that has a lot of success throwing the football.

They're going to look at the Wolves sideline again.

Only two regular season losses in the last five years, both the commerce, their last loss, of course, and the 2000 state championship.

And they're going to look at their numbers again, over 3000 yards, 55 touchdowns.

WALKER A big part of that.

And Manley, the quarterback doesn't have to do a whole lot except hand off left and right, but he's still thrown over 1000 yards as well.

He's took over 1000 yards.

And one thing about both of his quarterbacks, when it comes to the passing game, they don't make mistakes.

They don't make error.

They play error free football when it comes to passing the ball and that's why they establish a run.

But I'm looking forward to this ballgame.

Dave Brian Simonsson set to kick off for Decatur, Michigan, Austin and Darius Walker back deep for Buford.

Glad you could join us right here on TV.

And we are underway.

Double semifinal action.

Austin back there.

But the kid goes through the end zone and simonsson with a powerful leg.

Tell you what, you're going to have fun watching him here today.

He's got a 3.1 GPA.

He's also a soccer player.

But right now it's that Buford offense who takes the field led by that tailback, Darius Walker.

Various Walker right under 2000 yards coming into this ballgame.

And like I mentioned in the open, you don't see guys at any level rushed for more than 2000 yards.

And he's a very good running back that runs between the tackles, but he does have the speed to get to the outside door.

MANLEY You saw his numbers right there as he stepped up to the line to lead this offense first and ten.

Ball with the 20 day shift at Iowa, the man in motion and.

Give it to Walker straight up the middle.

He's got some room there, but quickly closed down in a hurry.

A gain of about three yards, though.

Quincy Kelly on the stop for Decatur.

And here's the offense for Buford Brown Singleton are the tackles Lord and Owens over the guards and White is the center of very good offensive line right there.

And you get a look at the backfield.

Walker is the tailback, Zach Smith's the fullback.

Clark and Wood are the wideouts and Merrow is the big tight end.

Ryan Wood Of course, the coach's son or Buford and a second down.

And about eight Walker in the backfield but Tom sweep there 25 he's got the.

30 and pushed out of bounds up at the 31 but it should be enough for a first half now.

Gordon and Andrew Kelly the final four, the stop.

I mentioned Walker being a very good run in between the tackles, but he does have the speed to get to the outside, especially when they've got good blocking on the edges.

So let's watch.

Walker They have a big day this afternoon.

And Walker, of course, the Georgia Gatorade High School Player of the year.

And one touchdown shy of tying Herschel Walker for the all time touchdown lead him and Charles Grant of course Grant a 97 at the record 44 touchdowns One more Put him right there First down a ten misdirection.

This time Walker hit right at the line and a big play there defensively by number 58 for Decatur.

Jamal Cobb.

Jamal Cobb does a good job of reading the plate, getting rid of the blockers and coming up to head them up defensively.

Rivers Smith, Moon and right across the front and they are big.

The linebackers Quincy Kelly, Jamal Saleem and Jamaal Gordon.

And in the secondary you've got Bell and Mitchell at the corners along with Kelly and Fleming at the safeties second down and 11 after a loss of a yard.

On that last play, Decatur with six seven guys on the line defensively on formation Manley looking to throw down film has a man there and it's complete to marrow the tight end across midfield at the 49 got a.

Regular formation up there and a motion to slot over and one thing about Buford when they realize that Walker is not going to get the ball, they're going to find themselves looking around to see what's going to happen.

But they've got a good quarterback here that can throw the ball in the air, so that was a good completion just now.

Mario, with a 20 yard reception right there wide open across midfield and Marrow, really known more for his defensive play at the end spot there, but also making some big plays on offense all year long.

So first down a ten ball just into the Carter Territory.

Good in motion, up by and this time the give is straight forward that's number nine for the Buford Wolves.

They're the fullback, but the first carry of the ball game.

Blake skippers the fullback here and he gets the dove play right here you don't see the full backs get the ball that often in high school football, but he may get a little bit more because that's a good two or three yard gain and that's all you can ask a lot homophobic.

Second down at about seven after the gain of three twins left on that on formation, Manley.

Under center this time once again little phosphate there.

And drives it down to the 41 does Darius Walker for Decatur this is a team Bryan that was picked to finish fifth and region five Double-A out of six teams unbelievable the turnaround that these guys have put together in 030.

There are some pads popping out there I know as a as a safety you can appreciate coming up there, making some looks.

You got to love it, man.

You get the blindside guys.

And all kind of good stuff like that.

Third down and two right here and Walker hit it drop for no game may have lost a yard and what a job on that.

Decatur defense up front.

Very good job of indicating defense is third and short you would think that they would run to between the tackle play but they tried to get it to the outside and the speed of the defensive line from Decatur stretched the feel out that forced the guy to make the play.

Good job.

Dwayne Smith down on this Georgia Dome turf at the 45.

A little shaken up after the play there.

You get a look at Smith.

Hopefully nothing too serious right here.

Again, there is a little bit of history, Ryan, between these two teams.

Last year, despite going four and six two, Carter was still able to qualify for that fourth and final playoff spot out of Region five.

They actually met Buford in the first round, but it was the Wolves 41 to nothing in that game.

Although this is a very different Decatur team.

I was just about to say that this team here has grown and learned from last year's experiences and behind head coach Stephen Davenport.

This team is learning.

They're more confident in their ability now.

That's why they come into this ballgame undefeated.

You see the tail end of that play there and the injury.

SMITH But he is up and coming off the field on his own power.

So that's certainly a good sign for the Bulldogs here in the early going fourth down and three.

But Davenport.

This is a bigger long time game.

These guys, they can play with a broken leg right now if you ask me too.

There, they're really into this ball game.

Everybody's excited.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the decay, the ball club, and they're looking forward to giving the best game of the decade for the uber football team.

And you saw Coach Davenport his first season.

He came on in the spring with this football program.

13 and in his first year, and it looks like he got some movement up front perhaps on the Bulldogs.

And that might give Buford a first down here.

I don't know.

First leg of this afternoon's ballgame.

Going to get ball ball start on the three oh.

On the offense.

So this is going on.

Buford So back it up even further.

Jimmy Hopkins, our referee today, his officials have done a great job here at the Georgia Dome this weekend and they had their hands full yesterday in that first double AA contest.

A lot of penalty flags, well over a dozen.

They're going to look at the officials from the Northwest Georgia Football Association, Jimmy Hopkins, again, our referee.

The umpire is Haywood, Patton, Lions men is James Arnold.

The line judge is Randy Allen.

The back judge is Bobby Greer, the field judge for the officials there.

And it looks like we've got a timeout on the field.

That might just be me, but these kids to be in high school are rather big inside.

Not just the linemen.

I'm talking about the special teams and the skill players as well.

Especially for a Double-A school.

Right.

I've got a lot of size.

You typically don't see that with a lot of these single-A and Double-A schools.

Hey, hey, no.

Within the band on the Buford sideline, rallying his.

Guys together here, it's going to be fourth down and a nine after this time out.

I little mark for me.

Yeah, exactly.

Mark your calendar for Friday night, January 30th for the return of Georgia's longest running high school sports and academics program prep sports.

Plus, you'll meet some of Georgia's most successful student athletes, athletic programs and much more.

Again, prep sports.

Plus, coming back on January 30th, a high kick, but fairly short.

That was Patrick McGoohan, who handles both the punting and plus keeping duties for Buford.

And the ball will come down right at the 31.

So dictators defense does the job.

Walker got a few yards on that opening drive into Bulldog territory, but now we'll get our first look at that Decatur offense, Ellis George there as his numbers 78 one, 60 over 1800 yards, 17 touchdowns against just five interceptions.

The senior having a big season.

Big season.

He's a guy that has the ability to scramble if the ones out there in the passing game but.

Look for a heavy dose of Johnny Hambrick because.

He's a guy that coached a lot very well.

All right.

Now an empty backfield, but Carter comes out with four wide wins left and right.

And George looking to throw on a dogs first play, going to run the football throws.

It's got him in and it's intercepted.

Intercepted by the wolves number 19 Sean Williams very good defensive play by the defensive end.

He's got hands like a. Cornerback out there but Sean Williams read the play.

It's a very good job by the Buford defense because there was no one in coverage that was uncovered.

All the receivers had someone on him, a body on the body and the defensive end made a very good play.

Stretching this out makes a good job with the interception.

And Williams typically lines up as a defensive end.

So Buford showing early on, they're willing to drop anybody into coverage.

And that's what they're going to have to do if they come out in five wide.

You got to split from both sides.

In the tight end, you got to drop someone.

So Buford back on offense formation.

And it's time a little reverse right there a little fake that's going him a shot off and he's got room 2015 makes a move with the chip touchdown Austin mission Austin with a big.

Play And the Wolves strike very quickly 38 yards on the run for Austin and the Wolves are on the board.

Well designed reverse the Bulldogs were not looking for it.

They fell with the fake and a very good job of the offensive line to hold their blocks.

And like you mentioned just now, when Austin got outside, he was determined to get to the end zone, made a good break inside to beat a defender touchdown.

Six points on the board for the Wolves.

And Patrick McGoohan adds the patty.

So with 804 here in the opening quarter, Austin and the wolves are fired up.

They lead it seven to nothing over the Decatur Bulldogs.

And here's another look at it right here.

Fake the dove and a wonderful job by the quarterback playing with the fake like he did not really have the ball Good job by Austin using the speed to get to the outside and also a good job by Buford setting up the blocks down the field to make him get over to the end zone.

Yeah.

You know, you've got to respect Walker any time he's in the football game.

And that's exactly what the Carter did there.

But it left a big hole outside there and a good move right there, too, by Austin to get on into the end zone.

They're scoring drive one, play it all.

It took 38 yards in just 12 seconds off the clock.

It again, a 38 yard touchdown run and everyone's fired up on that beat the sideline.

That's no good for coach what in the world because you start with your first offensive series but the defense comes out they play very hard and get a turnover on the first play.

And on the next play you come back and put points on the board.

That's the way to start a good, big time ballgame.

You know, last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year for this Buford Wall football team, but they won the state championship.

I hate to see what would happen if they were supposed to be good.

I got to rebuild.

And right here, this is a very polished football team.

Exactly.

From a glance that to boot it away Hambrick back deep along with Clement to bell number one and this one goes out of bounds right at the six.

Got to find a way to keep the ball on the field of play.

He can't take that penalty, giving the opposing team a good head start when it comes to their first offensive drive.

You don't want to do that to Carter.

I tell you what, they have thrown up some points this year, 62 points in a game earlier this year, gets cross keys, team.

Ball placed on 35/1 and ten.

37 points a game offensively for the Bulldogs they've outscored their opponents 476 to 104 and 23.

Unbelievable.

So it was George back under center I formation.

Ross Curry is the fullback Hambrick at the tailback and that's Anton George in motion give us to the left side and Hambrick across the 40 will have a pretty good gain on first down about six or seven yards there Williams had to make the tackle.

Let's go ahead take a look at the starting bulldog line up offensive line.

You've got Riley at the center flanked by moon and right at the guards.

Johnson and Allen are the tackles and in the backfield for Decatur again Curry's the running back along with Hamrick George and Mitchell are the wideouts and Jamaal Saleem the tight end big good looking tight end to so second down and four after a gain of six.

Bamba the lone back wins nearside that's Andrew Kelly in motion.

And they give it to Hamrick.

Trying to turn the corner going to be tripped up loses the football it's on the ground.

And a scramble for it I believe George Anthony George was able to get it back to Carter but I tell you what, the Bulldogs very fortunate right there.

There was all kind of green jerseys around that thing.

And one thing about John Hammer, he has put the ball on the ground a few times this year.

He's had 15 fumbles and eight of them lost.

They let me get this one back so it doesn't make his night loss.

But one thing Coach Davenport's not going to be able to do is win the ball game if they're turning the ball over with interceptions and or fumbles.

Shakira Millsap The safety came up to force that play outside.

You saw Millsap right there, trip up Hambrick, and that caused the whole thing to just be disrupted right there.

Millsap Again at Safety coming up.

And you can appreciate that too.

I love it.

I love it when the guys in the secondary come up and make a play behind a lot of.

Good run support, third down and five trips left.

For the Cato, the Bulldogs coming out fire here and George dropping back, looking deep down the field, has a man at the 25 and it's caught at.

The 25.

Brandon Stevens, the junior wideout who adjusted to that football nicely and made a big grab.

Beautiful adjustment by Brandon Stephens.

Wide down the field, one on one coverage.

The quarterback puts the ball up where only his defender can get it.

He gets a good read on it, turns around and makes a good catch.

That's a very good play by the young wide receiver.

30 yard throw and catch right there.

And the wolves had two coverage on the play there, but the DB got turned around.

That was Austin and it looked like that ball could have been intercepted there momentarily.

But it's first down at ten and the Bulldogs are knocking.

On the door here short to his left and give it to Hammer.

He's got rule.

Watch out Johnny Maverick Touchdown to Carter and the Bulldogs come.

Roaring right back down the field.

Unbelievable.

Very good vision by Johnny Hambrick after getting the ball, playing a wide toss out here and he goes outside.

But with the vision that he has, he sees a hole inside, cuts it back and makes a couple of defenders miss.

It's a very good run by number two.

Johnny Hammer.

You know, we talk a lot about Walker, but Hambrick his goal today not to be overshadowed so far he is shown out.

Here's Bryan Simonsson.

For the point after and it's blocked and the wolves block it.

Big big time play right there Zach Bush, number 27.

One of those safeties came shooting through there to put a stop to that one.

So the wolves will hang on to a one point lead or 7 to 6.

And here's another look at that touchdown.

Very good job.

We talked about it earlier.

Johnny Hammer, good vision.

Read the hole perfectly cut back and made some defenders.

Miss Straight to paydirt to no.

Look at it right here.

Good cutback right.

Here.

Very good.

Cut back and let's take another look at that block extra point, too.

You'll see Bush fly through here from the right side of your screen.

You've got to appreciate when young guys in high school really put forth a lot of effort on special teams, those are one of the units on the football field that get overlooked quite often.

But if you put forth a lot of effort, big time plays come up like that in a blocked field.

Goal one point is very important.

They're going to look at the bulldog drive for play 65 yards in just a minute, 37 off the clock.

And then, of course, that 20 yard touchdown run for Hambrick school record for Hambrick this year, most rushing yards of the season.

That's a Decatur record.

He's got a lot around.

Bell probably got a little over 2000 now at the way he's come out here, 8.2 yards a carry though over 3000 career rushing yards.

Just an unbelievable, unbelievable career at Pitt, Decatur.

When you've got a running back like Hambrick as well as the Wolves Walker Wiseman, throw the ball.

This guy's averaging eight yards on carry ten yards.

He can't just let them run the ball.

Simonsson Boots it away.

Austin will build it finally picks it up at the eight Got a little bit of room breaks a tackle won't break another though and gets up to the 14 and that's about it good job by the Bulldogs on special teams as you get a look at the Decatur crowd.

It's fouled in here today on both these teams as expected have certainly brought the they've brought the communities with them.

They've got a lot of folks here.

A lot of love for both of these teams in the community, a lot of respect as well.

And when you've got an undefeated ballclub, you get a few bandwagon fans coming along every now and then.

But for the majority for the past few seasons, they do bring a good crowd.

Good football programs right here.

So the Buford now they've got to step up here and answer the challenge that's been laid in front of them.

The Gators storming right back down the field.

And so now the wolves back on offense, mainly under center blocking motion and they give it to Walker breaks a tackle.

Inside the 20 and will punch it out to the 23.

The gain on first down right there.

Darius Walker's not a running back that's going to go down at the first contact.

He'll break tackles.

You're not going to bring him down with the arm tackles like you saw right here.

You're going to have to get your head across the bow and get low so you can stop him backwards instead of allowing him to lean forward and continue to get yards.

We're going to look at his numbers this year.

Very impressive, over 1800 yards, averaging right around ten yards a carry.

And of course, those 40 touchdowns for the season and a 4.0 grade point average, too.

That's something else, too, that a lot of colleges are taking into consideration.

And very well-rounded young man, give it back to Walker straight up the middle.

He's got the first down across the 30.

Jamaal Gordon made the stop on defense.

That's one thing, though.

Ryan, too.

We talked about coming into this game, as you know, you see see all the touchdowns and all the big numbers.

Walker runs a lot between the tackles.

He earns it.

And he runs a lot between the tackles like you saw just now, a regular lead slash dove play.

At the same time, you got to keep in mind, these guys had a lot of blowouts this year.

He sat down in the second half in a lot of these ballgames.

He still has the numbers that he's put up this season.

So it's a very good running back.

And Walker.

Winds to the left shift it on formation.

For the bulls again clock in motion six men up front for the theater in Manly rolling look at the throw He's got a man wide open at the 4045 O loses Bama football.

And Zach Smith out of the backfield there but a big gain for the wolves and another first down loss.

The handle on that one, though, at the end of the play there.

And Terrence Bell knocked it loose.

A little play action pass where Zach slips out and makes the block like he's not a part of the pass route, then gets out to the flats, has a little fumble, but he's got the awareness to get back on top of that ball.

These guys are going to have to get victories this afternoon without putting the ball in the ground because if you fumble and turn the ball over, it's going to be hard to be a good ball club.

18 yards up to the 49 narrowly tied in gets over.

Now wood in motion Manley a little drop play.

WALKER Hit and drop the big time play right there.

Chaz Right number 61 was one of the first guys there, along with Jamal Cobb.

And there you see what we've been talking about right there, that big, that size up front by that bulldog front.

And when you've got to defensive tackles, that's big and huge.

Like these guys look at him right there.

It's hard to establish a line of scrimmage when they get that low and it crossed the line of scrimmage and they'll make plays behind the line of scrimmage all afternoon.

107 tackles for right 16 for a loss two and a half sacks big season for Mr. Wright.

Power forward.

On the basketball team as well I'd hate to see him coming down the court second and 13 right here after that loss of three and they give it straight forward.

Blake skipper number nine and now a late penalty flag comes flying in.

Looks like maybe a facemask on the tail end of that play.

Another dove play beavers concentrate right now between the tackles.

Facemask on the white team five yard penalty replay second.

So the five yard version right there to take another look at it.

That's the big pile, folks right there.

Coach Davenport said I didn't see a penalty.

Fifth year as a head coach, but first indicator and a lot of folks felt like the talent has been there for a while.

They just needed a field general like Davenport to come in there and refine it a little bit.

It didn't take very long for for him to do that.

So second down and a long five right here for the wolves receivers left and right, 335 to go in the opening quarter, put up seven six, give back to Walker.

We'll cross the 45 to take it down to about the 41 and a half and going to be just shy of a first down.

It looks like going to be third and short of coming.

Keeping the ball in Walker's hands, running right off.

The tackles are inside of the tackles, rather a lead play with the fullback setting up some blocks and the offensive line is doing a good job of getting low, pushing the defensive line back.

Quincy Kelly on that last tackle third down conversions to Carter one off one Buford.

One up two early here, third down and one.

He's got the first down those Wagner all the way down to the 32 Jamaal Gordon the.

Linebacker made the stop but not before another big run by that tailback.

Darrius Walker, very explosive player.

Good quick steps and rather there's a hole they're not.

He's going to go to the line of scrimmage as fast as he can, then run like T.J. Duckett tiptoeing you okay?

I hear you.

44 touchdowns this year overall through the playoffs as you mentioned, it is one more to tie Herschel Walker and Charles Grant as the all time single season touchdown scorers.

DHS a history walker with another opportunity inside the 30 will have a couple it's funny you know Walker actually played nose guard as first year football as a young young man following in his footsteps of his father.

Jimmy Walker had a nine year NFL career, but it didn't take long for Walker to to make the switch to running back.

And it's a move that certainly paid off.

Athletes that have certain athletic ability, you know, you can't hold them down no matter what position they play at rivers, defensive tackle or running back, they're going to make big plays.

And that's what you find in Walker.

And you mentioned Herschel Walker and then mentioned this young kid.

You know, he's a heck of a ball player.

Timeout is going to be called by Buford.

They want to talk things over here.

You know, there's a walker right there.

We had a Lemuel Walker yesterday with Charlton County, a freshman running back who had a big game.

And first we talked about Herschel Walker because of the numbers that Darius has put up here.

So a lot of Walker's the theme this weekend here at the Georgia Dome.

Again, 157 to go in the opening quarter.

Dave Garner, Brian Stuart with you, David Zaleski on the sideline today, seven six Buford with a one point lead.

And so far these two offenses, we talk a little bit about the offense, but so far the offense is pretty much been up and down the field, although there's not a lot of scoring one.

Oh, go ahead.

Throw it on down the sideline.

Mr. David Zaleski, what's going on?

Well, just a little bit more on Darius Walker.

He also is a singer, and he also does a little dancing, which has got to help with his balance and agility.

And how he fits all this in is beyond me, but so is the way he plays football.

Back to you guys.

I'll tell you what, he's just an all around great kid as we mentioned, 4.0 and he's got over 50 Division one offers coming at him.

How do you narrow it down?

You know.

Well, it all depends on the actual player and what he's looking for out of an institution.

Second down in about eight and a half right here, Mario, the big tight end flip flops over to.

The right receiver.

Back in motion, new side this time, Natalie looking to play action.

Oh, man.

Zach Smith.

He can break the tackle five.

And Zach Smith is into the end zone.

And now they're going to mark him now just shy of the end zone, right inside the one yard line there.

And it looked like he might have got in there for a moment, but I guess he was stopped just shy there.

Another Decatur Bulldogs.

They have their hands full with a running back like Walker.

But this team, the Buford Wolves, are not just limited to Walker, okay?

They got some offensive threats.

And you better realize, got to keep your eyes on the fullback and Mr. Thomas as well.

You'll see the tail end of this one right here.

Made a good cut back there at the six and just shy there.

And the wolves and the fans won a touchdown right there.

But it will be first down a goal after a gain of 29 by Zach Smith.

This also has some speed.

I said Thomas I met Smith.

I formation Zach Smith fullback driving and he's in there that time Zach Smith with a 121 yards rushing against Cook in the quarter finals.

Tell you what, you can't take your eyes off of him either.

A good one two punch with the fullback.

And of course, Walker, a tailback at Smith that's put the wolves up by seven.

Zach Smith got it down on the goal line.

And I guess Coach Woods says this.

He worked to get it here.

I might as well give it to him again to let him get it across the line of scrimmage.

One thing that Buford is going to do, what they're going to use their big time running back and Darrius Walker as a decoy, someone that's what we've seen so far in this first quarter.

Patrick McGoohan is true on the extra point and the Buford Lead is now 14 to 6, with 124 to go here in the opening quarter.

And that Wolves offense is rolling right along.

Interesting.

Coach Dexter, would you get a look at Zach Smith on the sideline again, that scoring drive nine plays, 86 yards, nearly 5 minutes off the clock and again, that one yard touchdown points there.

And that was a reward, Kyrie, for Smith, as you mentioned, you know, 29 yards taking it down there and in coach what was what about to give it to anybody else going in for the body got.

In the end zone failed to mention a play but the referee said he stepped out of bounds.

Why not give it back to him, especially in the one yard?

The fullback dove is perfect and appropriate and he deserves.

He did the work to get it down.

They're rewarded by let them get paid, which is six points.

So now the wolves set to kick it back off.

Coach Dexter Wood actually picked up his 200th career win against Decatur back in 2001.

So these two have met a couple of times in the past five years or so.

McGlynn set to kick it off and there you get a look at number three.

Anton Mitchell, four debaters set to return it.

A lot of points scored in the first quarter.

Second low liner will be taken by Pimenta Bell, who will let it roll into the end zone and the ball will come on out through the 20 indicator playing out of Region five.

Buford out of Region eight is you going to look at some of the Bulldog fans in House here today?

See what I know?

One guy that's watch this is Herb Whyte, the elevator from Decatur.

Viewers might remember him from the high school basketball coverage right here on TV.

Does a great job.

And, you know, he's somewhere around here today.

You've got to believe him.

We can look at the Wolves fans making the trip from Buford this afternoon.

So first and ten Bulldogs break the huddle with trips.

Right.

And on formation again.

Curry is the fullback and the top sweet hammer trying to turn the corner breaks one.

Tackle and is pushed out Oh right across the 20 Zach Smith, the linebacker, came over there for the hit.

Got a flag on the play.

But the pursuit by the Buford Wolves is incredible.

All you can ask from a young team is to stretch the field whenever they're trying to go outside, and that's exactly what they're doing.

Officials talking things over here a little bit is going to be on Decatur.

It looks like.

It'll go straight to white teams five into the line of scrimmage penalty is the plan second down.

So the wolves will take the down right there.

You know, we talked about 37 points a game offensively for Decatur.

Flip side of that though Buford allowing a modest six not even allowing a touchdown and an extra point on the season.

These teams aren't all about offense first second down and 9/10 left.

Formation Buford showing run blitz how is George option play?

Hamrick 20 and take it down a good open field tackle by Zach Smith.

Number 32, who's showing out here on both sides of the football.

There's a lot of football to be played, but right now I think it's safe to say that Zach Thomas has got his game face on them.

So I keep calling him Thomas Zach Smith.

He's got his game face on right now, making plays on offense and defense, getting behind the line of scrimmage, stretching Johnny Hambrick out, not allowing him to cut to the corner.

Good pursuit by Zach Smith.

Wonderful tackle textbook right there, especially having to chase him down.

Hamburg's got some speed.

Third down and eight right here.

Gwynn's left receiver to.

The right and again his back.

That is number 21 for the Gators.

Got some room there.

Quincy Kelly takes it all the way up to the 35 and that's going to be a gain of about 13 yards on a first down.

So some fresh legs right there.

And it's kind of a family affair here today.

There's two sets of brothers on this Decatur team.

The Kellys, Quincy and Andrew are brothers.

Ellis and Antoine.

George are brothers.

The Bells was no relation there, but a couple of sets of brothers on this team for the Bulldogs.

When it comes to your starting running back, no doubt Johnny Hambrick is the man but his backup and Quincy Kelly is averaging 11 yards per carry.

Okay, so he's a guy that can stretch the field as well.

And he did that just now getting the first down for the Bulldogs.

Final seconds, tick off the clock here in the first quarter.

Carter unable to get the play off 14 to 6.

Buford on top.

You're watching state semifinal action on TV.

They're going to look at the two gentlemen who have led their teams here to the dome today, Steve Davenport of Decatur.

Perfect 13 and oh, and coach Dexter Wood likewise for the Buford Wall is looking for their third straight state championship.

They won it 3234 to 10 over greater Atlanta Christian last year for the title.

But Decatur may have something to say about that.

They're going to try to be the team to finally in that 43 game win streak before trying to make it 44 today.

First down a ten to Carter back on offense here to start the second quarter and flags all over the place.

Coach what are the wolves?

A coach that's been around for a very long time.

It's been very successful.

And on the flip side, you've got Coach Davenport from the Bulldogs young up and coming coach that three.

Awesome.

Saw the movement there up front on Williams who came across for Buford.

Davenport a young up and coming coach that wishes in hopes to have the success that Coach Woods has had right on the other side of the field there.

You know, Decatur, nine and 11 over the last two years.

Basically, to be here at the Dome in one year is the Cinderella story of the entire playoffs, in my opinion.

It's incredible.

Out of them, the first of five after penalty ball right at the 40 odd formation this time.

Ellis George looking to throw up top long down the field has a man there and at the 20 it's incomplete Antoine Mitchell.

The intended target right there and no flags.

I don't know do there.

I don't know.

So the wolves barking, if you will.

They want to.

They want those fans.

They want to want a flag.

That's a pretty good throwing ball by Ellis George.

And if I'm not mistaken, there's a little pushing and tugging that's kind of prohibiting Mr. Mitchell from getting full extension to get to that ball.

It's good coverage, but at the same time, there could have been a flag blowing in up for.

Bulldogs wanting the wanting to call their coach Davenport, one of the guys working those officials over there trying to get that ball.

But it is second down and five.

The gator breaks huddle winds right one back set this time.

Buford in a43 this time the handoff is two handed right side has hit maybe a yard.

But that's all.

Blake Skipper, the middle linebacker, one of the guys in there at the year four defense is tough, as we said, allowing only six points a ballgame the most they've allowed all year long.

In one game was 19 in round two against a terrible.

Very good football team.

One thing you need to realize is that there's three phases of football offense, defense and special teams.

You've seen the Buford Wolves perform well on offense.

They block the kick on special teams to block the field goal and special teams.

The defense is playing well, but they're playing good in all three phases.

It's going to be impossible to beat those.

Guys the card or two of two on third downs before two of three.

Here's another third down right here for the Bulldogs, third down and four and flags come flying in right here.

It looks like it's going to be a delay of game on the bulldog offense there.

So third and four will become third and nine.

Got to play mistake free penalty free.

Ball delay game like.

Turnover free football to beat a superior team like the Buford Wolves.

Can't make a lot of mistakes because before it's the kind of team that forces you into mistakes and they don't make any.

And that's that's been the reason for the 43 consecutive wins.

Right.

They just capitalized off of your penalty, then your mistakes.

You use them for their benefit.

BUFORD Two penalties for ten yards here in the early going, Decatur.

Is the one penalty for five yards.

George dropping back to throw.

He's got some real estate in front of folks 40, takes it all the way up to the 45.

And that's going to be awfully close to a first down.

Zach Smith and Neal Brown had to bring him down down field.

But George showing off some jets right there.

Good job by Ellis George realizing that their man to man coverage there's no one accounting for the quarterback big gaping hole in the middle of the field turns the Jets on to get as much yards as possible.

And Coach Davenport just might put his gather here to go with this one fourth down.

It's short.

It looks like they are trotting the punt unit on here.

Brian Simonsson back into punt formation and now whistles cater make all the time out right here to talk things over.

Come out like.

And indeed they have you know Ellis George the kind of player does it throw up a lot of big flashy numbers but he's a leader and that is something that Coach Davenport looks at of him, plays like that right there.

Pretty much sum up the way he plays.

He makes plays when he has to kind of let Michael Vick play.

He's not going to throw for 300 yards every night, but he's going to make some plays to keep you in a football game.

Coaches pray to have players on the team that can be leaders on the field that, coach on the field.

It guys look to, guys have questions for him and they also make big plays for every coach dreams of having.

Players like that.

That's exactly what Elvis George here for.

He go in.

There on those huddles, 14 to 6.

Again, Buford Mitchell over to Carter right now with bulldogs going to stay add in this one right here again 1008 left in this first half and it's going to be interesting to see what happens right here kind of decision time.

I mean, the ball's on the.

45, you know.

Buford Scott, just an outstanding offense.

You don't really want to give the football back to him right now.

And then at the same time, it's just the half of a yard.

I'm in the combine.

Anybody can get.

Half of a yard, throw a first down.

Well, the punting team was on the field, but now the offense has come back on after the timeout in.

The Bulldogs are showing that they're going for it.

George the fullback has hit and good second effort but I don't know if he got there.

Quincy Kelly number 21 got his number called and I don't think he got it.

Ryan didn't look like a Dave.

Mark Standridge number 23 was the.

Linebacker came shooting through there beautiful play and the ball will go O'Brien.

Down so Quincy Kelly I wasn't sure what that second effort if he was able to get that football across there but he was a couple lengths short and the wolves will go back to work on offense coach with sending in Kyle Manley that quarterback and now you know I like the call, though.

I think you've got to go for it in that situation ball out close to midfield there but bad right here if you're a dictator giving that football back to Buford with a short field so first down a ten I formation Austin the man in motion this time and he gave it to Zach Smith the fullback takes it down to the 41 there on the quick hitter Jamal Gordon the linebacker with the stop.

Now I'm coming into this ball game thinking, okay, I'm going to see a heavy dose of Darius Walker every single offensive play.

Well, what I'm figuring out and finding out here, Dave, is that they've got confidence in all of the offensive players.

It's not just the Walker show.

They're using Smith at fullback position.

They're going to allow the quarterback to make some decisions, a well-balanced, offensive team for the Buford Wolves.

And they can't throw the ball, which is something we haven't seen so far here in the early going a little bit a couple of pass plays in the CLATTERS Walker up the middle, breaks off a tackle, keeps those legs turning and turns a short gain into pretty good game.

Quincy Kelly on defense.

They're going to have about four or five yards here.

A little misdirection play with the fullback, tailback, I'm sorry, actually sidesteps to the right, but then actually cuts back to the left somewhat of a counterplay for the offense.

Jamal Cobb down on the ground for Decatur defensively at the 40, a little shaken up there.

You saw on that fourth and one when Coach Davenport went for it, he decided to bring in Quincy Kelly instead of Johnny Hambrick.

Kelly's a little bit bigger and a guy that's going to get more of a punch when he gets to the line of scrimmage.

It just didn't happen on the fourth and short.

You going to look at Walker National Honor Society top ten in his class academically as we mentioned, school records holds the most yards rushing and touchdowns 89 career TDs and also has a pretty good singing voice.

We've learned, too.

And don't forget, just like Lynn Swann is the guy that uses some dance to help him with his balance and to keep those quick feet being as quick as they are.

Good, nimble, good.

Bounce.

The magic number for Walker has been for these play offs, of course, 44 touchdowns overall.

He's got that 4.0 GPA, of course, four touchdowns in round one, four touchdowns in round two against as well, and four touchdowns in round three in the quarterfinals against Cook.

All these scores.

Good.

Third and three coming up here.

Well, tonight's game can also be viewed live on the TV Internet site at WW W you dot gp-b dot org.

Just follow the links to connect to the game.

Get all the games from the dome.

This weekend will be archived and available on the Gp-B website as well.

That's WW dot gp-b dot org.

You wolves in the house.

The big third down and back.

Two and a half up coming right here.

We'll call it third and three twins left Miro the tied in awesome the left and the formation and.

Handoff is the fullback Zach Smith and he's going to have a first down Jamal Gordon the linebacker came up to make the stop.

But as you mentioned, Ryan expecting a steady dose of Darius Walker.

And we're getting a lot of Zach Smith.

I'm going to stop talking about and just let Zach do his thing down there.

They ran a little option, motion option, play, but he decided to give it to the fullback instead of tossing it to Walker on the outside and the hole was there.

And Zach good a very good job of getting the positive yards for a first down.

Very hard runner.

Oh, yeah.

Smith with 121 yards, as we mentioned, rushing against Cook on 11 carries better than ten yards per carry right there.

So first down a ten for the toss sweep there, various walker trying to turn the corner.

His hit stretches out, loses the handle.

On the football.

But I believe they're going to say his knee was down and the wolves very fortunate right there.

Good play defensively by the Bulldogs.

Here's another look at it.

That's something Coach Davenport really needs to happen right now.

He needs his defense to create some turnovers so they can put the offense back on the field.

Little under 8 minutes left in the first half, and he can't score unless he gets that ball.

Look at a reverse angle.

They're good to go.

Yeah.

One of the first guys, Clement to Bell actually rip that ball out of there.

So second and seven.

Right here, 40 yards, 162 to 80 in favor of Buford and again the carry to the.

Fullback that's Blake skipper number nine with another you saw him early on in that first quarter with a couple of carries for that wolves offensive they've got some guys they can interchange in and out.

When there's a pile and the running back is on his way down.

Dave Secondary remembers the talk.

If the tackle is safe to say made right come in there and club rip and punch that ball and that's what Clemente Bell did just now.

He knew the play was over with.

The tackle was just about made, so he came in and swept that ball.

This is a very good heads up play by Mr. Bell.

And you look at Skipper, the fullback commit to Bell 25 pass breakups this year, four interceptions, all return four touchdowns.

He's dangerous.

Austin in motion and this time manly want to throw looks fires and it's going to be intercepted tipped then intercepted by Anton Mitchell the sophomore thought Mero.

The tight end had his big paws on it but couldn't quite glove it in Mitchell with a big iron d. Two or three plays to go, I said.

Coach Davenport's getting close to the half.

He needs this defense to make a play.

It's actually a dropped pass by number 33, Thor Morel.

We talked about him earlier in a big play by number three for the Bulldogs.

Antoine Mitchell focusing on that ball.

The ball's on the ground, he's falling, looks it all the way in the mix.

A big interception for his ball team.

Mitchell with 40 tackles on the year 15, pass breakups and now he's got an interception here in the semifinal contest.

So the Carter back on offense first down at ten just inside their own 20 they've got a Ryan Stewart with you David Zelnick on the sideline and now the Bulldogs call a timeout quarterback Ellis George didn't like something.

Come out.

White jazz right number 61 came from the sideline and didn't know what the play was.

He was kind of lethargic, lackadaisical, getting out there.

So George decided to call a timeout instead of taking five yards, which is something you don't want to do right now.

But again, game seven of ten right here at the Georgia Dome this weekend.

And hats off to this TV crew.

All the camera folks have done an excellent job.

I want to thank all the folks up here in the booth, Richard, up here doing an excellent job on spot.

I don't know what I'd have done yesterday in that final game.

I'll tell you what, those numbers were a little hard to see either, but it came through for me to get a look at the crowd at the house here today.

There's Tracy back on that field camera, doing an excellent job today.

What a praise.

But the end zone looks down there.

Yeah, they have fun.

It's a long weekend.

And I know you folks at home don't realize it.

How long these folks are here.

There, Sharon.

Right there waving at you, tied Shots from up top here in the dome.

Hey, Sam.

These folks are here all weekend long.

Who's that?

I don't.

I doubt that's a TV camera operator right there.

I'm trying to figure out if it's a wolf army or.

Another it in zone shot there.

Shane first and ten and it looks like the wolves may have jumped across right there.

It was number 54 Davis Knoll who came across looked like.

High school football is very big in the state of Georgia is very good that TV puts all these great productions not a one camera crew cameras all over the place making sure that you get good coverage of these games.

From Springer first time.

Yeah we've just been told yeah 24 hours live in a 39 hour period.

Wow that's incredible.

Because our handheld camera operator right down there get down on the sideline, boy, he's getting into it.

So first and five after the penalty and that time Hambrick stood up by several of those Buford defenders and not much room over on that right side standridge Zach Smith Ron Sutton right there doing an excellent job here on on camera today.

There's a shot right there.

He's he's the man of place.

The that's the action shot right there.

Action man.

Big play by Neal Brown just now sitting in the middle of that defensive line for the Wolves.

He's a big load to push around.

You're not going to get him back that often.

6 minutes left here in this first half.

Again, Buford up by eight and this time the Bulldogs going down the field again and Anton Mitchell trying to adjust to that ball there.

But it is thrown out of bounds.

Buford had the coverage.

Brodeur Yeah.

Roderick Toombs Taking care of everything in the master control.

That Jeep TV certainly won't say hi to him as well.

Ellis George Just through somewhat of a fade pattern through it too far to the outside and the wide receiver wasn't able to adjust to make the catch more up going out of bounds.

And now they're looking at a third and six.

So an eye formation right here.

Twins, right receiver to the left.

Big third down right here.

Ellis, George, looking throw being pressured somehow or another gets Ali escapes trying to turn that corner he's got the.

24 and pulled out of bounds by big Neil Brown who just came down the line and made that play there.

And George forced out of bounds shy the first down marker.

Ellis George did a good job of avoiding the rush and breaking a tackle to get outside.

What?

He started running full speed.

He wasn't able to pull the ball back up to hit a receiver down the field.

And big number 64, running down the line of scrimmage.

Neil Brown, we're going to talk about him all day.

Former pro number 33 actually had the initial pressure that chased George out of the pocket.

And then from there it was just a lot of run.

And there you can look at Big Neil Brown.

He's also got a lot of division one a football offers and we talked about that up top.

Now you know why he has all those all.

Time out on a field called by Buford so the wolves want to talk things over here before this fourth down call it looks like the Carter probably going to front that football away there.

Brian Simonton, again, Georgia Public Broadcasting has made it easier than ever to show your support for great local programs like our coverage of the GHC Football Playoffs.

Simply visit our website at WW DOT GPB dawg.

It's totally secure.

Simple to use it takes just 2 minutes.

And again, thank you for your support of Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Also thanks for tuning in the state semifinals some good games of course, on tap later on today.

Saw a good one earlier this morning.

And I know, Ron, you got here a little early.

We both got here a little early watching that single-A contest.

And boy, that was quite a game with Hopkinsville in a Clinch County going at it.

Hopkinsville being able to able to beat Clinch this year.

Going at halftime, it's 620 anybody's ballgame.

And when they come back out, they just explode offensively, a couple of turnovers.

But like you mentioned, a very good ballgame earlier.

This is going to be a very good ballgame here and more games to come right here on GPB.

See the preview in the in today's Atlanta Journal Constitution of lot of high school football coverage Sean Austin back deep for Buford again sonnet single put it away heavy rush gets it out of here in a pretty good pot here catch by Austin at his own 42 And the wolves will be back on offense for Sean Austin game's first score we were on a reverse.

We've mentioned the Wolves special teams already just now.

Kyle Case really almost blocked that part.

Yeah.

Maybe another inch or two in that punch.

Going to be blocked for Buford.

And I'm got.

Bulldog cheerleaders in the house here today.

Get the beard on, girls.

Get the TV time.

Go ahead.

So first down and ten for the green and gold kick and they give it to Zach Smith, number 32, punching drive and trying to get to that 45 may have picked up three yards there on the play.

Chaz Wright combining with Jamaal Gordon, Quincy Kelly for that one.

Jamal Gordon, number 28, real good looking athlete for a Decatur on defense 174 tackles this year eight sacks six but two of five really anchors the middle of that middle linebacker spot.

Six for two of five got very good lateral movement, gets down the line of scrimmage and makes big plays.

You have to have good lateral movement.

If you got around to the tackles in one season, very good linebacker.

So second down and 800 motion near shot and Manley looking to throw it out and he has his.

Target right there.

That was number eight.

Zach Mason, our Brandon Clark Crowder looked like number six, the big senior with a catch.

Little roll out action by the quarterback.

Manley sees number six.

Cox sitting in the wings and Carr does a good job of securing the catch and turn it up as fast as possible to get some more yards.

They gain right there at a first down ball into Decatur Territory at the 43.

So the wolves driving an offense once again for 49 as you get a look at the tail in that player forced out of bounds hard Brandon Clark with a couple of catches here in his first time line formation got him out a little sweet play right there.

Darius Walker trying to turn at 40, 35.

And he is so elusive, just.

Snaking his way through there.

He's going to be right at that first down marker.

And Terrence Bell brought him down in the secondary.

A little toss play out here to Mr. Walker goes wide and realizes that is why receivers have pushed the secondary in the linebackers on the outside out and he cuts it up inside and gets a very good game.

They're going to keep wearing down the Decatur Bulldogs and then in the second half, I'm pretty sure Derrius Walker just going to come out and explode.

Second down less than a yard right here, just shy of the marker, you're going to look at a close up of quarterback Kyle Manley skipper the fullback gets his number called and driving and I don't know if he got there nice job by the Bulldogs front so mentioned they got some size up there they've got guys to 3250 to 60 across the front there.

That's hard at any level.

Double A five, it didn't matter.

But guys like that you can make plays.

Big number 61 Smalls beats his block to his right.

I'm sorry.

Right.

Yeah.

Over 100 tackles this year.

Six four, 315.

Good Lord.

Hey, he, he ups the average a little bit I'd say.

Across the front there.

And he's a basketball player.

Unbelievable.

Third, less than a yard.

Wolves didn't get it on that last play.

But now Manley, looking to throw deep down the field, has a man open at the ten yard line.

Brandon Clark, touchdown 30.

Four yards on the pass.

And reception there.

And Brandon Clark with a touchdown right there And the wolves in control early.

Fake the toss to Walker the defensive back number seven And Mr. Bell wasn't paying attention thought it was going to be a toss you got to play your coverage first and get pass first not run they caught him slipping big time catch with Brandon Clark and a touchdown.

The McGloin to add the patty just so splits the uprights and it's 21 to 6 The big green machine rolling right along here in the Georgia Dome.

And really, I'll tell you what, today has been really a showcase of what this team is all about.

They're more than just areas, Walker.

Much more than Darius Walker.

You see Clark here making the big time kids.

Zach Smith made some big plays in the pull back position.

And let's not belittle what Kyle Maley is doing as far as throwing the ball, whatever they do, throw the ball.

Well, as we mentioned, Manly's gone up top for over 1000 yards this year, eight touchdowns on the season coming in at 3.7 GPA.

But he has been able to throw the football this year and they've had success and that has opened up that running game, right?

If you bring those eight guys up in the box there and that's going to open up those receivers downfield, he'll be able to find.

One on one matchups every single time.

They've got eight in the box now and the receivers are good enough to make plays in one on one coverage.

Brandon Clark, a senior on this Wolves team and the guys that have been here for four years have made four trips to the Georgia Dome.

Wow.

Unbelievable.

That's unbelievable.

Patrick McGoohan, the kicker set to boot it away here.

There's some guys on that field that have a chance to have three championship rings.

Beautiful.

I hope that I'll put them on eBay.

And so hold on to them, guys.

Short kickoff fair caught at the 25 by Parker Fleming Number ten The safety backup quarterback.

So now if you're Decatur and Coach Davenport, you've really got to make something happen here.

313 They've got time to go down the field.

They score a touchdown right here.

At least put some points on the board.

They're still in this football game.

They still are.

They'd love to get down there and score.

Right now.

It's very important to a lot of things can happen.

They can have the same half that Buford had in the first half.

In the second half, Greg less as the offensive coordinator in between Greg Lester and Stephen Davenport.

They both worked with Ralph Friesen back in the day.

So offensive minded coaches that have a wide variety of plays and formations that they used throughout the course of the ballgame.

Whether Hankie on the field or out there seen a little bit of yellow here in this first half.

Not too bad.

This is going to be on Buford, Decatur, ranked number six on the season.

Their ball approach with Owen Green first down.

They're going to look at the scoring drive right here.

Again, four plays, 58 yards to 25.

And Clark, as you see him right there on your monitor with that 34 yard touchdown reception in there on defense.

Now playing corner for first and five after the penalty and George wants to throw.

Nearly drag down gets that ball out of there completes it to Anton Mitchell Breaks a tackle 45 and all the way.

Across midfield into Buford territory goes Mitchell Marks Dandridge brought him down in the second but another big catch right there for number three.

And so much to the good job of making an adjustment to make the catch.

Also I got to mention it's a very good job by Ellis George because when you've got a guy you're sitting in the pocket hang on your jersey.

A lot of quarterbacks, you just take the sack.

Ellis sat in there and got the pass off.

Mitchell made a good job and broke a tackle and got another ten yards on the play.

So still a lot of time for these guys to get them a few points on the board before halftime.

It's very important.

Mitchell that big play white out averaging over 28 yards a catch this year.

That's unbelievable.

511 1/71 and ten ball up the.

47.

And a quarterback keeper all the way a little bootleg Ellis Georges tripped up.

At the 45 and dives across there Pretty good game to Kyra Millsap the safety came up You know the Carter's had a lot of what I call character wins in these playoffs.

They've had some close games.

But if it's a play as late as we see this bootleg here by George nearly broke one more tackle and he might have a little bit more room.

One more tackle.

He just might have hit that corner.

Very good blocking scheme by the Bulldogs got up there to protect the quarterback.

Second down and seven lone back George looking to throw quick hitter Oh Mitchell had it in his hands and dropped it Marshawn Austin came in there to make sure Mitchell wasn't going to catch it.

Mitchell had about seven drops already this season, didn't drop the ball that much for the amount of time that they throw it to him.

You might have heard the footsteps just now and was a little worried about the shot.

Yeah, you got to catch it before you take your eyes off of it.

Don't worry about that shot.

You're going to get that shot.

Really?

You kept the ball.

Exactly.

Exactly.

You might as well catch the football.

You're going to get hit anyway.

Going to get a hit anyway.

You can see Mitchell maybe a little shaken up after they play.

He did take a pretty good shot there and he's on the sideline.

So third down and seven up coming in.

A big play right here.

And George, once again looking to throw, being pressured, big rush there, throws it low and incomplete.

That was Hambrick the intended target right there.

Thor Maro with the pressure once again, big number 33.

So it will be fourth down the front.

Seven of the group of Wolves, they're doing a very good job.

They're coming off the ball very hard, getting a lot of pursuit and they're keeping some people in the face of Ellis George.

That makes it hard for a quarterback to sit in the pocket when you've got a bunch of the opposing team right in your face.

It's very difficult to complete passes like that.

Brian Simonsson set to boot it away, averaging around 35 yards, a punt here.

You're going to try to pin the wolves back deep.

Rishard Austin 18 again back for Buford with his heels on the ten and fair catch caught for at the 14 by Austin we're talking about Decatur with some character wins this year 1413 in round two against Darlington they were actually trailing in that football game in the fourth quarter Campbell for the fourth quarter touchdown out of 229 yards in that game.

Four turnovers by the Bulldogs but.

They were able to overcome it still to win the football game.

And then of course in the quarterfinals 28 to 21 over early county, a lot of people had early projected back here at the dome.

But Decatur really playing a tough football game and really surprised a lot of folks at that walk.

A lot of folks up when they beat Early County.

First and ten for the Buford Wolves inside.

Their own 15.

This time, another little reverse that's.

Off and he's got some open field 25, 30 still on his feet.

Watch out all the way up to the 45.

Goes Machan Austin, Jamal Saleem, the linebacker had to bring him down and that's a 31 yard gain.

The K the bulldogs are playing a lot of man coverage so Buford coming out with slots and trips to one side with a end on the back side, no one keeping contain the run, running that reverse and no one's there to cover them.

They're going to have to do something about that, make sure that when they run that man coverage that the backside on safety, make sure he contains that ball and make them run inside.

Back to the defense.

And slim linebacker.

I know that was Buford offense right there.

But I'll tell you what, he was five yards or so behind that play he was able to somehow or another catch Austin that's great pursuit bring that speedy linebacker.

Good effort.

Didn't give up on the play first down and ten ball just across the 45 and Manley looking to throw this time under some pressure gets hit hard as he lets it go a fly out of bounds Manley a tough kid right back up on his feet trying to find Darius Walker out of the back foot right there.

But a heavy rush from the Bulldogs up and.

Bulldogs getting after C big number 61 again chance right big guy like that chasing the quarterback around making Manley get out of the pocket and the coverage was there Manley making the heads up job and just throwing the ball at a bell that's a good job.

Committed to Georgia Tech.

Hey, the jackets.

That's right second down and ten after the incompletion.

Formation and it block the one out here.

In motion little drop play.

Walker gets by the first wave of defenders He's got room 4030 530 Watch out Walker fine.

Only pushed out of bounds down at the 20 Alex George in there at strong safety had to make the play and Walker breaking open.

Here you see a draw play that could have really been stopped in the backfield just now if the gator would have had some firm grips.

But they didn't Walker bounced the outside and uses that speed and gets down the sideline a very good positive game for the wolves.

30 yards on that play and still a minute.

Three left in the half here.

So the wolves trying to tack on another right before the half prince left this time got sacks, missed shifted over Manley looking to throw throws it out in the flat He's got Brandon Clark again and Clark slung down by Clement to Bell in the flat and a gain of five yards, though.

But that clock will roll here with 50 seconds left.

Let's take a look at this right here.

Good.

Thrown ball just now.

We're out as well on the green.

Brandon Clark with the slot receiver in the number one receiver sprinted up inside the field and Clark reversed out into the flats.

And it was a very good pass completion for the wolves.

And you see Darius Walker's numbers far today, 16 rushes, 88 yards.

So another big first half still looking for that first touchdown, though.

And again, as we mentioned, one more well time he's already he's got the state touchdown rushing record.

He broke Herschel Walker's record of 42 a week ago.

But one more touchdown and he will tie Herschel Walker and Charles Grant as the most prolific single season touchdown scorer in DHS history.

And again, four total touchdowns right there.

So Walker trying to become a record breaker again here today.

He smelt it just now when he hit that sideline.

Yeah.

That's what you know, he was thinking, sir.

You know, I was thinking six is now Buford.

Of course their road to the playoffs a little bit blessed Trinity a daredevil and cook again 3212 over Cook had some success against Buford in the first half but this is a team as you mentioned they they wear you down and it really shows in the second half of football games, second down and five up coming right here.

Walker's in at tailback and Wood and Clark split by to the right.

Manley, again looking to throw fires deep into play.

He's got a man there.

And that's why would he makes his first crowd of the game and gets out of bounds to stop the clock with 43 seconds left that was Buford final time out too, by the way.

Neither team with a time out.

So a lot of clock management going on here.

Now, Karl Manley doing a very good job of choosing the right receiver to throw the ball to Alvin.

He had great record down the field, almost in the end zone with one on one coverage, but he decided to go to the underneath route for good completion.

Brian Wood puts Dexter Woods some but 65 career receptions at the school record.

And now, man looking so big Rush hits it away somehow or another.

And nearly intercepted by.

Anton Mitchell, who was at the goal line there.

That was a dangerous throw right there.

They were looking back to Wood again, but Manley, too lucky that ball wasn't picked off.

Well, the young quarterbacks will still force a pass even.

They're under some pressure, got some heat on their backs, just like he did just now.

I know Mitchell wish he could get another shot at that ball because that could have been a big interception to save their team from going in three scores down.

Saleem, the linebacker, nearly got the sack there, but Manley was somehow or another able to get that ball out of there.

Look, it wasn't an interception.

Yeah.

So second down and ten right here, 37 seconds left.

No timeouts.

Wolfe's thinking Enzo six seven guys on the line for the defensively Manley.

With time going up top into the end zone Got him in there Touchdown Ryan Wood with the.

Touchdown reception from 11 yards.

Out and the wolves tack.

On another right before the half And Ryan Wood who coach.

Coach would say say.

What.

And he's not just the coach's son that's playing because he's the coach's.

Son.

Yeah, exactly.

He's the coach's son that's playing because he's a good receiver that split some defenders just now he got to the back of the end zone and made a big catch over his shoulder.

He deserves to be in the field a good receiver.

But Dillon has the extra and Rupert's lead is now 20 826 but 31 seconds left in the second quarter.

And as we mentioned, Ryan Wood with 65 career receptions in, here's a school record for Buford averaging right around 20 yards a catch and here you get another look at it.

Really impressed by the of Kyle Manley this afternoon that's not an easy throw.

He kind of throws it across his body to the other side of the field and just makes a beautiful catch looks at all the way in.

He's behind the defenders.

There wasn't a chance that he dropped that ball just now.

Good job.

You know, we can't forget about the term student athlete, especially at this level.

Check this out, Ryan, what did you get?

A look at the drive right there.

Five plays, 86 yards in just a minute 13, that 11 yard touchdown reception.

Ryan, what has a 4.02 GPA?

I don't even know how you get that.

How do.

You get above 4.0.

AP classes?

I mean, that's wow.

That's all you can say.

I'm just wondering how I would get to that, that there's no way I can ever do that again.

That was very important and I'm sure stressed by both.

Coach, look as well as Coach Davenport.

Well, Kelly right there.

Andrew Kelly with the fair catch on the return there in Decatur.

We'll have 30 seconds, but they may just want to take a knee and get into the locker room.

I don't know.

You don't want to take a chance here on doing anything crazy right before the half.

Especially the way that the wolves can stretch the field with wood and with Walker.

Just go ahead and down it and put together good halftime adjustment plan and come back out and play some more football.

Let's not take a chance right here.

Take a look at all the college prospects in this football game.

I mean, there's there's Marshall's and Miami's Georgia Tech's George's, I mean, for both sides.

So there's so many guys in this football game get looks.

We've got a lot to talk about here today.

Perhaps the final play of the first half and Hamrick is hit hard by Zach Smith and a couple of other Buford defenders in the seconds will take away here, pretty much all due for Decatur.

Came right back down the field after Buford threw up the first points of the ballgame.

Decatur would miss the extra point, but since then it's been the green machine right here in the final seconds will indeed tick off the clock, and that is it.

The Buford Wolves, with a 28 to 6 halftime lead over Decatur.

And let's go ahead, throw it on down to David's desk.

He's standing by with Coach Dexter Wood.

All right, Coach Wood, there's a lot of options.

Everybody was expecting Darius, but you showed that there's a lot more talent on this team.

Where we are.

We've got a lot of playmakers, and I'm real proud of what we done.

You know, particularly defensively, other than one big play with Contain, I'm pretty good, but on offense, you know, it's been different people in and we've got a little bit off balance and I just thought we're playing well up front right now a line of scrimmage is always the tone of the game for us.

And I think we're playing well up there.

And and you're right there, Kendall, there's a little bit we got some other people making plays.

They've been a great comeback team, though, year long.

They were down 21 to 6 last week in one.

And we know that.

And we prepared to play four quarters.

All right.

Yeah.

It's like you're saying this is not the kind of team that you want to keep hanging.

You spread the lead open a little bit.

What's your plan for the second half weather?

So explosive line score on any given play.

So we've got to realize that and you know, just be sound and your philosophy to keep playing hard and good things happen.

And that's what I'll preach at halftime.

All right, thanks a lot.

Back up to you guys.

Right.

Coach Dexter Woods, Buford Wolves making a strong case for win number 44 in a row.

We'll take a time out again.

Buford up 28 six over Decatur.

We'll be right back with half time action here at the Georgia Dome.

You're watching state semifinals on TV and you put up 28 to 6 over Decatur at halftime here at the Georgia Dome.

Again, they have got a Ryan Stewart ready David silky on the sideline as check out some halftime action here.

And if you look at some fans that have filed in here to the Georgia Dome today, some good crowds and a big first half for the Buford Wolves.

They got on the board early.

Decatur would come firing back, but from about middle of the first quarter on, for the rest of the half, it was pretty much all about the Buford Wolves, right?

Yeah.

The people wolves are doing a very good job of establishing the line of scrimmage, the offensive line, as well as the defensive line, backing those guys up, making it very difficult to make some plays and both teams are prepared to play.

But Buford right now looks a little more polished.

All right.

Let's go ahead.

Throw it on down to the field.

David Zaleski standing by.

All right, thanks a lot.

We're here with Gary Hopkins, the band director for the Carter Unique List of songs.

Tell me about this.

Well, our show is basically jazz oriented.

We've had it.

All one of our dance tunes in here to give the dancers a little more time.

So we've got an extra dance tune in.

So that's what's going.

On there with the show.

A lot of Spanish jazz and stuff like that.

That sounds good.

And there sounded great.

I hear they're entering contests at the yes with our first contest.

In many, many, many years.

This year they placed.

Third in a really good job.

And we're looking forward to.

Maybe winning some next year.

All right.

Well, thanks a lot.

They sound great.

Thank you.

Back to you.

Take the Decatur High School World Traveling Band, a hundred members strong.

Let's go ahead.

Listen in.

28 to 6 or half time score.

What a job on indicator high world traveling band.

We'll take a timeout and be right back with more halftime action from the Georgia Dome right after this.

Dave Gardner back here with you at the Georgia Dome.

Time now for the Buford High School Marching Band of Wolves to perform against 68 members strong in the selection title this year is space tacular.

So sit back, relax and watch the marching band of wolves of Buford high school.

My hands and Marching.

Band of Wolves from Buford High, David Zelensky's on the sideline with a visitor.

David.

He says Conrad, band director for Buford.

I guess if there ever were veterans of the Dome, it would be this band of wolves.

Yes, my third year here and my third year at the Dome.

And they've been here before, too.

So we're really enjoying it every year.

We look forward to it.

All right.

Well, listen, this has got to be a fun, fun thing for them to play, you know, all songs they know.

How are the kids saying.

Oh, they love the show?

We try very much to get a show that both them will be very good to competition and that the audience our kids like a lot.

Well, I guess there's a little surprise at the end of the show.

Tell us a little about what happens there.

Well, we try to do some things to hook the audience and keep them paying attention to it, even when they're going to get something to eat at halftime.

So right now, just a second, Elliot with it will be coming around on a bicycle to finish out the show.

All right.

And I guess you have some people that are a little bit younger in this band.

Tell tell me about the diversity of this band.

Well, at.

A Buford High School, since we're a small school system, we have eighth graders march as well.

And this year we have 2/7 graders marching along with those eighth graders.

All right.

Well, thanks a lot.

Back up to you guys.

All right.

There you have it.

Let's go ahead.

Take a look at some highlights from that first half.

As we mentioned, a very big first half for the Buford Wolves.

They actually got on the board first, a little reverse.

They're going to Austin.

They will take it around for the touchdown.

They're going to look at the tail of and play it great move in the 13 and Austin was able to get in there and it was 7UP and Buford Gator would come firing back a 20 yard run by Johnny Hambrick.

An excellent cut back itself there.

They would miss the patty but Decatur within a point.

And then after that though, Buford really showing out here.

Manley hooking up with Zach Smith for a 29 yard reception down to the one that would lead to a one yard touchdown run by Smith.

And then later on, the wolves getting it done in the air once again, as Manley hooks up with Brandon, quiet for a scoring strike with an excellent move around.

The five there got out of the end zone and then Ryan Wood capped the first half, scoring with a big reception again for Manley got behind the secondary there and Ryan Wood with the touchdown catch and they're going to look at the stats at halftime again 28 to 6 are score passing yards 138 for Buford to 63 rushing yards won 71 to 55 209 yards in that first half the Carter able to move the football with 118 penalties again here for the most penalized four for 20 yards one turnover apiece and possession time a possession very big right now in favor of Buford.

Again, four different players have scored touchdowns.

And as we mentioned, Ryan, it's been more than just the Derrius Walker show here in this first half.

I'm looking for a lot from Darius Walker in the second half, even though in the first half, Zach Smith was the guy getting more touches.

All right.

Well, that's it again.

28 to our score at the half teams back on the field.

We'll take a timeout and be right back with a third quarter kickoff from the Georgia Dome.

Again, Buford and Decatur going at it right after this.

They're going to look at the first half story again here, 428 to 6 over Decatur right here in the second, a semifinal.

It's good and throw it on down the field.

David Duke is standing by with Coach Davenport.

All right.

All right, Coach, you know, things were looking well there at first.

You're hanging in there.

What's the plan for the second half?

Well, we're just going to play better in the second half than we played the first half of the game.

It turns out we're bound to play a better second half than the first two, a probably before program.

And they kind of hit us with a storm there at the end of second half.

But we're going to regroup and come out and play better in the second half.

All right.

Well, you got some sighs.

You guys are, a comeback team, if anyone can do it.

It's the Decatur Bulldogs of this year.

Tell me about that.

Well, we're going to do the best we can, and that's what we try to teach to kids since April.

Just keep fighting for four quarters.

And whenever the game and just be able to look yourself in and say you did the best you can and that's what we're going to do.

All right.

Thanks a lot, Coach, and good luck.

All right.

And David Zaleski with Coach Davenport right there.

Ryan, you know, getting ready for the kick off right here.

Again, Decatur, as they mentioned, you know, as coach just mentioned, as David just mentioned, if any team is capable of coming back, it is these Decatur Bulldogs.

Yeah.

And that's something that Coach Davenport and his staff have done really well this season.

They've put together good second time halves if you can make second half adjustments to kind of compensate for the mistakes you made in the first half, come out, not turn the ball over, not have interceptions and fumbles, make some better defensive stands.

You put yourself right back in this ball game and like they said downstairs, anybody can do it.

It's the Bulldogs.

The gator.

We'll have the football first here to open up the half.

They defer the opening coin toss so Buford will kick off here again before took the football and they have a 28 to 6 lead.

And you going to look at Patrick Mickelson getting set to kick things off and it's a high but short kick going to be taken by Fleming, number ten, trying to bring it back across the other side of the field and good special teams tackle right there by Mark Standridge.

A lot of special teams coaches call that high lob kick to allow the coverage team to get down and possibly make a play on the ball and those up front guys, the full backs and such such as number ten for Decatur, Parker Fleming, they're not used to feeling those balls.

And sometimes you can get a turnover like that.

So that offense will go back to work just over 100 yards total in that first half.

They're going to look at Coach Dexter Watt on the sideline, as you mentioned, a product of the University of Alabama coach of the year, three times in the state of Georgia, well over 100 victories for his career.

Knight season at Buford 3/1 down in ten right here Ellis George looking.

To throw as a man out there great catch by Antoine Mitchell breaks a tackle 43 He's gone Anton Mitchell Touchdown Unbelievable.

75 yards on the play for the Decatur Bulldogs.

And how do you like that Orion?

Wow.

Total opposite of how the Dolphins started the game came out early in the game with five lives through an interception.

Well, they come back up in the second half to tight ends and two guys go another path play.

But this time Walker big time player makes a big time play, breaks a tackle and goes the distance for a touchdown.

Nice start of the second half for Davenport as well as the Decatur Bulldogs.

Brian Simonsson trying to add the patty here.

We talk about comebacks and it didn't take long for the Bulldogs to strike.

An extra point is right through there.

So the Carter has cut into that lead here a little bit, 28 to 13 and we've barely caught our breath here in the third quarter.

You look at the man right there and Tom Mitchell had a big first half and made another big.

Yeah, Mitchell did a very good job and so did the quarterback here.

Ellis George, sitting back in the pocket with some heat on him, gets the ball to Mitchell.

The Mitchell breaks two or three tackles and he's got the speed and the stride to get down the sideline and paydirt baby touchdown.

You know, Buford had three or four green jerseys around that football.

Take another look at it.

See all the guys right here?

They are in the area to make the tackle 1 to 3 right there.

And one guy on the outside the defensive back thought the play was already made.

He kind of relaxed.

And you can never relax until you hear that whistle blow, it didn't blow until he got to the end zone.

At 75 more yards to that offensive total here coming into the season the Carter averaging hundred and 23 yards of just rushing a ballgame Buford averaging to 68 so basically the two are in the same ballpark in that category and you get to look at the fired up fans Decatur and here's a drive one play 75 yards in just 18 seconds and again, Mitchell on the receiving end of that pass from Ellis George.

Yeah, they're still down by 15 points.

But that being said, momentum can change from big plays like that in a 75 yarder is definitely what you need to change that momentum.

Inside and Sam to boot it away.

A low line drive going to be taken by Austin, who will actually let it bounce into the end zone.

So the ball will come back out to the 20.

You know, we talk about Buford in those back to back state championship.

It's of course, they're going for three in a row.

Two years ago, they were a single-A school, won a championship.

Last year, of course, they jumped to Double-A and won a championship.

The first.

Year.

They're actually not the first school, though, in the state of Georgia to do that.

Guess who it was?

Oh, who?

Decatur, believe it or not, 1949, they were class AA champions.

The next year, 1950, they jumped to Double-A and won the championship.

So a little, little piece of history here.

Thank you, Dave I'm always down to learn first and ten from the 25 wood in motion here side little sweep right there Walker with his first carry of the half.

Drives it forward for about two or three.

It's funny.

How.

Buford continues to bring that slot over to make well, bring the split in over to make slot wide down here at the bottom, and then they're going back to the tight inside.

You see that man to man coverage.

You're trying to get Walker isolated one on one with the safety cornerback because you'll probably win those odds.

But that's the same play that they run the reverse off of.

That's been successful twice already.

This ballgame.

Second down and eight right here receivers left and right this time as you get a look at Walker 17 rushes 90 yards so far today on track for another big game and now a flag comes flying in here finally going to be on Decatur.

Available for completion on the white the first half.

Of those 12 minute in the middle called second half that is that's been a very popular penalty for high school football officials really cracking down on that this year.

Typically, you see it with the offense.

You don't see it so much with the defense there but that's 12 mental.

You look at coach Davenport so a second down and three after the penalty again on formation Zach Smith the fullback and give us the walker 3035 still on.

His feet and taken down by Corey Moon number 75 right before a big game.

Walker's a very skilled runner reads his blocks extremely well Little League plays off tackle over to the left side of the play, breaks a couple of tackles and dances around a lot.

Guys with the size of Walker and the vision of Walker, their success for running backs in the college game, that's exactly what Darius Walker is going to be successful in the college game.

Beavers offensive line also doing a good job wide.

The center board at left guard.

Is really handsome.

Big hole today always brown and singleton.

Also here's Zach Smith.

It takes it up across the 40 on down.

There's going to have about three yard scoring moon in on another stop.

Moon's a moon's another guy, too, that has done an excellent job up front for Decatur.

Now you can look at that Buford offensive line that we were just talking about, big number 61, right, man?

I tell you what, all those guys really get in there.

And that was I thought that was the key coming in today.

A lot of folks, some of the coaches that have seen these two teams throughout the year felt like that was going to be the match up.

The Gators defensive front gets that Buford offensive line.

Definitely second down and seven right here.

Receivers left and right once again marking motion and walking straight ahead is him though and we were just talking about right number 61 he was one of the first guys there along with Jamaal Gordon.

Jamaal Gordon, very good linebacker right on the 200 tackles this season, 16 tackles for losses and he's got eight sacks.

He's a guy that plays behind the line of scrimmage and defensive court is level got a linebacker that reads plays extremely well and they can get across the line of scrimmage.

Let's listen to that last point here.

Bryant pads are popping.

Out there today.

You might think it's high school, but they're still big.

Hits and high school football, the third down conversions, Buford, four of five and another one right here, third down and five looking mainly frozen out there.

No one in the flat and a couple of.

Guys out there.

But good coverage by the Bulldogs that will be forced down and Buford will have to punt the football.

Decatur gets the stand that they really need after a big one offensive drive play that resulted in the touchdown.

The defense comes out and makes a stop against the Wolves offense.

That's very potent and this is the way to start the second half.

The adjustments were made at halftime by Coach Davenport.

And Patrick McGoohan puts it away.

Good.

High hot.

Yes, nice.

Terrence Bell calls for the Fair Catch.

Now a late flag comes flying in at the 28 and things heating up out there.

In a lot of football he played.

So what you go in and you're down by a few scores.

I mean, just as much as the first team scored to get the lead in the first half, you can do the same in the second.

Penalty on Decatur.

Going to back this thing up a little bit.

So the Bulldogs will have to start a little bit deeper in their own territory.

A little contact in the back gives receiver team ten yard penalty.

And you to look at Coach Davenport on the sideline trying to get that offense going.

But Georgia Public Broadcasting would like to say a special thank you to our Murrow Society members.

Again, PBS's Murrow Society are the elite contributors whose commitment to public broadcasting ensures that we can continue to provide quality radio and television programs to all Georgians.

For more information about the Murrow Society at Georgia Public Broadcasting, just call 4046852581.

In the Murrow Society, first down at ten for that Decatur offense and batter down right at the line.

And that was a dangerous play right there.

Thor.

Melrose, the guy that got a hand on that one, big number 33.

Defensive lineman, a talk when that ball is thrown and you know the quarterback's about to release it, lift your arms up and jump and bet that ball down.

And that's exactly what happened just now it's a good play by Buford.

Getting another look at it right here George try to fire out there in a flat.

You get a look at Mario.

One guy that has certainly made some big plays all year long on defense, six 1 to 10 son of former Atlanta Falcons Jeff Marrow.

And he's coming back next year.

He's just a junior.

Second down and ten right here on formation.

And he gave us to the.

Fullback, that is Curry number 25 at 510, 175 pounder right there.

He doesn't have a lot of carries.

Only 26 carries on the season coming in but again lines up at fullback.

Fullback dove that never had a chance to get started because the defensive line for the Wolves puts that O-line back.

They're going to look at him big number 51.

Tim Singleton right there in your frame.

His guys do play very big up front.

Singleton Another guy getting it done there today.

Ellis was George third down and 12 big play right here for that bulldog offense.

They've got to take care of the football inside here.

Winds left eye formation Hambrick up the middle.

Takes it out forward momentum maybe to the 12 but that's about all it will be fourth down and long and that time the Bulldogs just trying to hit a quick hitter right up the middle, maybe trying to catch that Buford defense off.

Yeah, third and long.

A lot of teams think draw.

A lot of teams think that lead especially they don't want to throw the ball and put their offense in a bad situation.

So they decided to go with the little free and they'll put the defense back in the field and hope to get the ball back.

Simonsson set to boot it away inside his own endzone.

Neil Brown on that last stop six two £255.

Now he's going to be back deep for the rose.

Oh, dropped it on the ground.

The ball is loose.

Still rolling around down there.

And I believe it was the Carter who recovered the football.

But Buford is going to have it first and goal and that's what we're talking about right there.

Ryan Buford, a team that just waits on you to make mistakes and then they capitalize.

And here it is right here.

Special teams are very important in the punter.

Number 15 had the ball in his hands.

You lost control of it before he could get a good kick on it.

And the wolves were right there to pick it up.

And that's just a tough break right there for the Bulldogs against Simonsson.

The 35 yard punt average this year has hit a 29 yard field goal, also handles the field goal duties.

But right now it's the Buford Wolves offense trying to take advantage of it right here first down and goal.

I formation Darrius Walker end of the end zone touchdown and with that TD Walker.

Ties Herschel Walker and Charles Grant is the most prolific single season touchdown scorer in this history.

Congratulations to Mr. Walker, Georgia's Gatorade High School Player of the year.

And we've got 7 minutes left in the third quarter, in a fourth quarter to go so he could get the opportunity to get back in the zone again.

Patrick McGoohan with The Patty and with 702 left in the third quarter, Buford has opened it back up 35 to 13.

Let's go ahead and listen in to what Coach Dexter Wood had to say about that young man right there.

There's Walker has immeasurable qualities, first of all, as a running back and their greatest gift of vision, size, breakaway speed.

And here he is on the threshold of maybe breaking Herschel Walker's all time record.

And to be mentioned in that same breath kind of gives you an idea of how special young man he is.

But beyond that, he's a 4.0 grade point, state grade point average student, great family background, great moral character, and just a tremendous leader in our school.

And I couldn't be happier for him and his family.

And you know what?

It's done for our football program and and how he's doing it as a part of a team.

Concept's been an awesome accomplishment.

Here he is, Walker.

A great one with that Buford football program.

But he'll tell you himself, the records and everything are great.

But he is the ultimate team player.

He is the guy.

He's not worried about the records.

He wants his teammates to get into the championship ring.

And he's been very successful since he's been here with the Buford Wolves.

Outstanding player, just like Coach has said in the academic player as well.

Great job to get into the endzone in that one nearly month there Flemming with the affair catch on the short kickoff there and Walker as we mentioned with over 50 division one offers and with grades like that and the ability that he has, he's probably going to have his pick of just about anywhere four trips in four years to the dome for Darius Walker and those Buford seniors.

And that's amazing.

Their last loss, as we mentioned, the thousand state championship against commerce.

They haven't lost since then, 43 in a row looking for a number, 44 today.

Incredible.

They are indeed the part.

If you will, of double H. So storage and the Decatur Bulldogs back at it.

George, looking deep down the field, had a man there momentarily.

He was looking for Brandon Stevens, number four.

But the wolves all out over that one.

Jack here.

Millsap the safety back there.

Double coverage cover two actually where you got to corner playing the outside and a safety getting over the top really nowhere for Ellis George to put that ball just now but he threw it to the point where no one can pick it off.

Buford, Wolves Defense, as I mentioned, only allowing six points a ballgame on average this year.

They have outscored opponents by 47 to 74, second down and ten.

This time to give it to Hambrick and has met Neil Brown.

It was 60.

And what a pop right there.

Forward momentum.

Hambrick still picks up a couple there, but a big, big shot on defense.

Big Neil Brown chances blocker with the quickness gets behind the line and shuffles his feet Makes a good stop on Johnny him.

It's going to be third down and long right here third down and nine up coming for that Decatur offense and still plenty of time left in this one 626 left in the third quarter, still got a whole nother fourth quarter to play.

And as we mentioned, the Bulldogs not out of it by any means.

As Coach said, they were down 21 to 6 against Early County in the quarter finals just to come back and win that ballgame.

2821 This team has a lot of heart.

We're not going to give up big play right here.

Twins, right, George?

Again, look at the throw being pressured from behind and what a grab by Anton Mitchell for a first down Went right down that seam there and broke out and man oh man.

Another big catch for Mitchell.

He's on fire.

Mitchell did a good job of shooting the defender with his body just now cornerback within his hip pocket, which is where he needs to be.

But Mitchell still has the concentration to keep his eyes on the ball and pull down the ground for the first down.

Williams With the pressure there out at the tail end of that play, nearly got to Georgia before he released that football.

And it is a first down as you get a look at Mitchell split wide right ball just across the 45.

George again looking for his main crossing pattern.

Throw it a little bit behind Brandon Stephens, the intended target.

He had some room in front of him.

He was able to pull that down.

That's the play, the passing work completed right there.

If Stevens catches this ball right here, he's going to get a good shot to turn it up and go straight down the seam for a touchdown.

No one's inside of him and no one's deeper than him right now at this point.

But quarterback Ellis George thought just a tad bit behind him.

We're going to look at George number five, who's had a big game, made some plays here, made some nice passes, and Carter throwing the football deep today.

Throwing that ball downfield.

Matt In most of trips to the short side of the field, trying to set up a little middle screen and nearly intercepted Neil Brown it down and Mario.

Nearly had the pick right there.

And boy, that have been six the other way.

Middle screens a very hard play to develop especially when you've got a skilled defensive line like the wolves do.

They get so much pressure that the quarterback doesn't have time to set his feet and get his timing as he's backpedaling to throw that ball to the middle screen.

He's like this one picked off.

Ball, knocked up in the air there, and you could see just good ball on the outstretched fingertips of Mario.

Good effort.

Well, just a little.

Bit.

Taller.

Third down and ten right here.

Another big third down.

For the Decatur Bulldogs.

Low back and we may have had some movement up there.

Looked like Mario may have come across a little too quick for the wolves.

Going to give him an easy five.

The Bulldogs just hadn't really been able to get in sync, get in stride with an offense.

They're completing passes every now and then they'll get a good run.

But there's no consistency to any of their drives.

That passive of.

Encroachment.

Green third down.

So that'll put the ball just into view for territory makes this third down a little bit nicer looking if you're that Decatur offense it's a little bit more achievable right there.

Third down and five instead of third ten changes the complexion maybe of the play call here a little bit.

We saw Coach Wood on the sideline once again single back twins, left receiver right here.

Put in a43 George again.

Look at the throw looking up top now being pressured eludes attack with 45 on his feet.

You have the first down and a gutsy run right there by Ellis George he takes it down to the 42 he'll brown Zach Smith combining for the stop there but again what we were talking about in that first half George the ability to make those plays.

And then George was really funny about this.

Jamal Saleem is right beside him.

They're keeping the pitch after relationship down the field.

This is a part play and these are high school players, but they've got the heads up in the knowledge of the game and realize that once I'm running, I'm one step behind you.

You get tight, you pinch it to me and I'll take it a little bit bro.

And that's a good heads up play by the Bulldogs.

Good coaching right there too.

Good awareness this guys on the field Jamal Saleem again at tight so first down and ten after that big pick up by George.

Once again Ellis looking to throw throws it long down the field has an incomplete at the 20 that is Saleem to tie.

It in but I believe and they're going to call it a catch.

Yep.

Brown Can't call it a fumble.

Shakira Millsap The safety came up there to make the hit.

Saleem paid the price.

He's still down on the field there, but he did make the grab.

He released right down the seam out, put him one on one with the safety in the corner.

Did a very good job of coming down, getting low and taking those legs out.

And watch this right here.

That ball, how much the knee there, that ball.

It may have started to come loose before then he actually hit the grassy and I don't know it's a that's a tough play for anybody to make right there go either way.

And again you still see Saleem down on the field there.

Took a good shot from that safety.

Millsap, who's really a hard hitter and does a nice job not only on pass coverage but also on the on run support as well.

Well, in today's earlier semifinal, a 44 yard touchdown run by running back Jeremy Marshall leads Hopkinsville to a 25 victory over Clinch County, earning a berth in the state championship against Lincoln County next week.

And congratulations to Hopkinsville, 25 seven winners over Clinch County again that earlier this morning in the Georgia Dome.

Game was very close at halftime 6 to 0.

And after the second half, the adjustments were made by Hopkinsville.

And they came out the very explosive offense and a very well sound defense.

They didn't make any mistakes.

And you talk about adversity I mean, those class eight teams, I mean, eating that pre-game meal at 530 in the morning to play a9am football game, it's, you know, kind of unnatural here.

But those guys, I tell you what to play in the state championship those guys would probably play at 530 in the match for their chance at that.

This is a big time game in all the teams that's a part of the semifinals here this afternoon.

Those guys had to come in prepared, ready to play because if you continue to play and win, you move on.

If not, you go home.

Some also team up and off on his own power coming up against Spaulding Jaguars at Peach County Trojans in the Triple A semifinal.

Get a pair of 12 and one teams squaring off.

STATESBORO Oh, boy, they've been here before.

Tend to add one taking on the Tucker Tigers at 12 and one Tucker finally make it to the Georgia Dome again that later on with the quarter game at six and then the nightcap 9 p.m.

It's the Valdosta Wildcats who got here by beating Cherokee and the West Side Macon Seminoles at 11 and two.

And that's going to be a very fun football game to watch right there in the five, a nightcap, first down at ten for Decatur and driving.

That's Quincy Kelly trying to break a tackle.

It takes it just inside the 20.

You'll have a couple over that right side.

Now, of course, is Kelly's Lane on the field a little slow to get up after losing Slim?

You don't want to lose anybody else.

Get a nice little move right there to bring it outside.

Skipper and Zach Smith with the tackle there.

And you're going to look at Quincy still down on this Georgia Dome turf.

Jamal Saleem is on the team in receiving right now with average in 20 yards a catch 14 even quasi kill is also an important part of this offense.

He's the second leading rusher on this team, a little under 600 yards.

But two very important pieces to this offense.

It certainly hate to miss him right here again, Kelly coming in there, especially backing up Hambrick at that running back.

Both these teams have played some common opponents this year.

Decatur, Buford have both played Wesleyan, Lumpkin County and Blessed Trinity.

And Steve Davenport in the head coach right there on the sideline.

Listen in to what he likes most about coaching.

I think I get an opportunity to be around kids.

I have a tremendous affinity for for for dealing with young people.

And coaching gives me that avenue.

I owe a lot of credit to the people who have led to my development coaches such as Coach Garcia, Southwest Care and the lessons that I learned from him on some of the lessons that I try to put out for my kids.

So I have an affinity for working with kids and coaching gives me an avenue.

And you saw Blake Skipper right there with a big sack on Ellis George.

Coach Davenport, as we mentioned, doing a great job, came on to this program last.

Spring, right?

13 and in his first year, four year Letterman at Georgia Tech.

And again, as he mentioned, play for coach.

The legendary coach Buck Godfrey at the Southwest camp, actually coached there as well, was a part of that state championship team.

He was the offensive coordinator for that state championship team.

And but Godfrey's just a world renowned guy when it comes to the state of Georgia.

He's loved by everyone.

He's done a heck a job at Southwest.

The camp and the Bulldog program certainly has a bright future with Steve Davenport as the head coach, third down and 14 play blown dead there.

Looks like some folks jumped offsides.

I remember when Coach Davenport was the graduate assistant at Georgia Tech.

When I was there, I said, Do you want to be a coach, man?

You know what time you got to put into this thing?

And he said, Let's do.

I love it.

You know, when it comes to football and working with kids, there's nothing I'd rather do.

Coach Green third down.

Finley on Buford to go 13 and oh though after a four and six season in 2002 it's just it's remarkable.

Signs of a bright future for a young coach.

As I said, this is a team.

And, of course, you know, kind of going off the last couple of years, they were picked, as we mentioned, to finish in their own region at five.

And there's only six teams in the region.

Right.

So to do what they've done is just absolutely phenomenal.

Amber thrive throughout, the sweep, Neil Brown with a big tackle right there.

The wolves turn that play back inside and Hamer just had no room.

You talk about a good running back.

I know we've been talking a lot about Darius Walker, but Johnny Hambrick has something else.

On the last play.

The Wolves never got set up.

They had there's their set of strength to the wrong side, so they kind of scrambled late to get set up the right way and kind of snapped the ball on the run and got behind the line of scrimmage rather quick.

Hambrick Averaging as you there over 150 yards a ballgame on the ground there.

And just remarkable numbers, over 3000 career rushing yards for Hambrick, only five 768, but he's only a junior.

He'll be back next year.

Fourth down and 12 and the Bulldogs are going for it.

George The pressure to go down.

Mario With the initial pressure and Big.

Neil Brown came in here to clean them up so that Buford defenses really picked up the tempo here in the second half.

Yeah, you got some speed and some strength at the defensive line position as well as linebackers that are blitzing with great speed and strength behind that strong defensive line.

It's hard to get some plays off, especially if you're talking about five and seven step drops versus the three step drops.

It's very tough in on the fourth and 12.

Why not bring the half like they did just now?

Here you go first down a ten.

Now Buford will take back over.

They're averaging 42 points a game on offense that's phenomenal.

Decatur only allowing eight.

So we talked about the numbers the other way there.

But both teams very impressive on both sides of the ball.

And look at a handoff that's Zach Smith with some good stuff running right up the gut.

And he's going to have about about seven or eight yards almost.

I got a newfound respect for Zach is not going to disrespect him coming into the ballgame but he's a guy that's taking that first shot and Gaza pulling on him.

He's keeping his legs moving and he's spinning and just trying to get all the extra yards possible.

Good, hard nosed football player.

If you four try to make it three state championships in a row, if they can hang on today, they will play Charleston County next week for a shot at their third title.

Charlton County looking pretty impressive, though, yesterday against BYD, earlier in the first of two Devils semi finals that time short gave up the got there Walker driving towards that first down going to be about a yard short you know one of the new things this year in high schools the new overtime rule very interesting there haven't really seen it much at the dome here putting that ball in the 15, going to that college game certainly seems to make it a little more exciting.

And then a little more excitement.

It's not as easy and you got to just keep on keeping on and keep on fighting in overtime.

If you get put in that situation, leaning towards the college rules, they should be.

So definitely the NFL player.

Yeah, third down and short and Walker will have the first down over the right side game about three yards there.

And Walker continues to pile on the yardage here as.

Time continues to tick away here in this third quarter, clock stopped at 42 seconds.

Clock stopped to get those chains set after a first down will resume taking once the chains are set as they are now.

You know, one thing I've noticed in this football game is both teams do a good, good job of blocking downfield those linemen, if they don't have anybody front of, they go on down field.

You're going to look at the total yards, 343 for Buford to 43 for decade or so.

Decatur still with a pretty good out output here.

But Buford really tacking it on in the second half and his skipper, the fullback who dives across the 45 and right out three and four yards and a cloud of dust or a cloud of rubber, I guess on this field down here.

The next turf.

The there you go.

But Buford really chomping away right now.

But yeah, as we mentioned, both teams really block it downfield, stay with those blocks.

And that's a that's a stat of a true champion right there.

Final seconds off the clock here in this third quarter.

And it's Buford in control, 35 to 30.

We'll be right back.

12 minutes left in the second semifinal this weekend.

Again, view 430, 5 to 13 over Decatur as we open up quarter number four.

So future Buford Wolves there.

With the green here and if I'm not mistaken, green deep two.

Yeah but minus minus the hair there though I'm sure later on when they become those future football players, hopefully.

Yeah.

Nonetheless, Buford with the football.

Second down and six there he is.

Walker with the ball over the.

Right side, still driving.

And that's one thing that makes him so great is he keeps those legs moving.

He got spun around just now, but as they spun him, so he was kind of facing backwards.

He just started backpedaling to get more draws.

I mean, look at that.

Determined young player got four guys draped, all over him, but that nonetheless stops them at all.

Looks like Jamal Saleem is shake it up once again for Decatur.

He's been banged up, has played with some pain today might even be a cramp.

In the fourth quarter, you got a significant lead, 35 to 13, I think it's safe to say.

You can look for a heavy dose of Mr. Walker for the rest of the fourth quarter.

Well, as we mentioned, coming into the playoffs, four touchdowns in round one against Blessed Trinity, four against the Bears, one four against Cook.

There you get a look at Coach Dexter Ward.

Let's go and check in with him and see what he had to say about what he likes about coaching.

Coaching to me is getting inside of kids lives, finding out what makes them tick.

Find out where that button is to help them reach their maximum potential, whether it's in their weight room accomplishments, how to block better, tackle better, but more so in how to grow.

As a young man, the arena football family atmosphere so important, the intangible aspect.

And when a kid leaves our program, if he has a better sense of how to make better life and choices and and to reach his goal and potential, then I think we've been successful with them.

A lot of class right there.

And Dexter would add and you heard him, he's not worried about just developing football players.

He wants to develop the total human being.

Wants to make these young men grow up to be good men in life.

And that's what coach is all about, I mean, you can touch a kid in so many ways when you're 1 to 1 with them and working with them.

And in football, I mean, if anything teaches the team concept, learning to work with others in a productive way, it's football.

Well, mark your calendar for Friday night, January 30th, for the return of Georgia's longest running high school sports and academic program prep sports.

Plus, you'll meet some of Georgia's most successful student athletes, athletic programs and much more.

That's prep sports Plus returning on Friday, January 30th, at 11 p.m. exclusively on GP TV.

The injured show.

The host does an excellent job.

He'll be along with triple play action coming up here in a little while, Spalding and Peach County.

And there's Walker.

He's got some room that's outside 35.

And finally, take it out of bounds.

Point.

It's a bell and a secondary.

But Walker running loose.

While the seniors did a very good job of closing off the left side of the line, blocking down, making sure no one could get outside.

Walker uses his speed to get out there and does a couple of sugar steps, I like to call it, as he got to the outside before he got tackled.

See Walker very explosive, rarely brought down by one person getting right around five, 11, £200 is where they list on that.

So first down a ten ball at the defender, 30 pitch right there.

Walker trying to cut it back.

It took a pretty good shot there from Fleming who came up and Walker was able to bounce off of that tackler, the Jazz right was there to clean them up.

Fleming gave him a good shot.

Kelly got a shot on him, but we've already talked about it throughout the course of the entire ballgame.

He does not go down at first contact, you know, unless you're bringing the house.

You got the number 61.

He's going to keep rolling down.

Here, the pop it going on down there today.

By the time you get to this level, when you get to the dome, you're here for a reason.

You get physical.

And you've got it all speed, size, second down and five.

That's Michigan here this time inside the 30 will have a couple.

Andrew Kelly on the stop there these numbers I mean blessed Trinity Walker 11 carries 170 yards it gets a dares hill at around 213 carries 132 yards and of course against Cook 28 carries for 150 yards for Walker.

So just an unbelievable performance by that young man, right?

You got to go out.

And it looks like the officials making Antoine Mitchell go off the field or I don't know if it's kind of an equipment issue or what basically told him he had to go off the field there.

So that's why.

Nice, huh?

Off of you.

Little sleep right there.

Walker again number seven drug down nicely by Corey Moon Number 75 Moon's another guy that may have a future at the next level.

He's looking at Miami right now six four 230 pounder, 23 tackles for loss this year and he's got two interceptions.

There's nothing like seeing him.

Those big guys rumble down the field after an interception.

Those guys eyes just get huge.

They're confused.

They're out of the element.

They don't know what to do.

I'm not used to running with a football.

What do I do here?

Fourth down in about two.

And Buford with their offense on the field formation, receivers left and right and a little freeze right there.

And man look going to call the time out were just trying to make the Bulldogs step outside there but very disciplined up front they wouldn't have it.

Good job.

Three.

We used to call in college.

Hold your water.

Hold your water.

Don't jump offsides when you know they're trying to draw you off.

And that's exactly what the Bulldogs did.

They kept the composure and sat in their.

Buford with two timeouts, left the gator with all 903 to go in this match up again.

3513 Is you going to look at the bulls on the sideline there?

And we're talking about common opponents to Carter 28 to 14 over Wesley and Buford, 3 to 3.

We've done a blessed trinity, though.

Got to be there with that 51 point victory over those guys in Buford.

We beat him by 50.

So I know if teams match up differently against each other, but kind of looking at what they've done this year, it's right there.

Of course, yesterday's games, all kinds of things going on down at the Dome, Lincoln County with a thriller over try and trying with a heck of a comeback.

But Lincoln County was able to close the deal there and course, in the first first of a two there, of course, Lincoln County with the win and of course, Hopkinsville the winner today.

So Hopkinsville and Lincoln County will meet for the single-A championship next week, and that's going to be a good one, up about half weeks, fourth down a two wolves going for it anyway.

And that play going to be blown dead as they gave it to a walker and a pretty good sized hole over there on the left side.

But Telemachus down.

I just saw Jeremy Shockey and Michael Vick playing a little pickup football one on one down there.

Other games yesterday, but you saw it right here on TV, trotted county over by the year 22 to 9 for three.

For ten.

For still for Buford Lagrange 2217.

A remarkable ballgame right there.

Washington County The Gold Hawks made it close, but the is number one pretty much all year long with the win there, of course, in the aquatic game.

Marist finally breaking that jinx, 3521 Thomas County Central.

And of course, of the five eight nightcap, it was Camden County, a ten point victory over Newnan noon.

It led a good bit of that first half, but Camden was able to come back.

All these teams advancing on to the championship.

I thought right there and it's going to go into the end zone for Patrick McLaughlin.

It's going to be fun.

You know, all those teams going out of the championships next week, the rest of the championship picture will be filled out today.

Of course, this is game seven of ten right here on TV.

And as we mentioned, 24 live hours out of 39 copies of coverage here.

That series, though, man, that's series.

But someone needed to bring it to you and give you TV.

Got a test artist, working staff in show business.

There you go.

There you go.

854 to go here ball going to be on the 24 Decatur on offense.

They're going to need a couple of one plate drives.

They want to get back in.

It just like they started off the second half with the.

Twins, left the ball on the ground by Hambrick, but he was able to get it back and that could have been disastrous right there.

And that's just how the entire day has been for with the Taylor Bulldogs fumbles and turnovers and penalties and they do things good, but at the same time they don't complete the entire drive and they never really got something established.

This afternoon.

Both teams have pretty much taken care of the football for the most part.

We haven't seen a lot of turnovers today.

Decatur, of course, overcame four turnovers in round two against Darlington.

That 1413 victory.

For the most part, they have taken care of the football.

Curry The lone back trips left Ellis George looking to throw can't find it but he hit from behind and taken down number 19 Sean Williams with the hit.

Sean Williams got a good jump off the play came around the end and the sad thing is Ellis George never even saw him come and couldn't receiver down the field throw the ball to on the trip side of the field.

He'll do a little bit too long.

And Williams made a good play.

Buford looking for number 44 in a row today, 44 wins in a row today.

If they can close the door here in the final seven and a half minutes.

That's just a remarkable streak to think that their last loss was the state championship game of 2000.

Thomas, of course, winning it.

Monte Williams, the running back for Thomas at the time there and another penalty flag here now it's going to be on Buford Jonathan Owens look like kind of cross.

Green third down.

And of course just a reminder to championship games coming to TV next weekend.

On Friday, it's the quarter championship, December 19th at 730.

And then on Saturday, it's the five, a thriller, 730, December 20th, again right here on TV.

So the action next week and again Buford offsides here and tell you what Ellis George going with that hard count and Buford maybe a little overaggressive on defense right here.

These guys are ready to make contact can't hold the water.

The officials with a little bit of a pattern right here.

They're used to that goal every third.

Now you want to go out strong right here, particularly if you're bigger because you got more than likely know the football game to play next week.

You want to you want to come off of something with some momentum right there.

I tell you what, Charlotte County, they're not going to be afraid of.

You know, we saw yesterday that is a team step right up and hit you in the mouth, I guess.

And they've got the speed, they've got the talent to do it to play with a team like Buford.

But the Wolves very focused.

Got to be a fun one.

So now after the penalty, it's third down and two amber with the carry left side trying to turn the corner, he won't get there and good job by Mark Standridge number 23 you strung that play out another flag flying it.

Whatever the heck he comes out behind the line of scrimmage.

More times than not, it's going to be a potent penalty, especially on the toss play like that.

So things slowing down a little bit here late in the game.

Well, I'm glad because I don't want it to be over either.

Let's just stay here all day.

Yes.

Why the plan for town.

So Buford will decline the penalty.

They want the that'll be fourth down and Decatur will drop the button unit onto the field here.

Of course, the second semifinal right here at the Dome this weekend.

Of course, coming up, as we mentioned, triple A action, Spalding and Peach County.

And that's going to be fun.

Clock winding down.

Close to the six minute mark again.

Buford up 3513 Simonsson to boot it away.

Nice cut.

And no one back for Buford.

They had their defense on the field, not trusting that that bulldog offense would indeed punt the football away.

But indeed they did.

And a good punt little roll inside the 20.

So Buford backed up here, but just under 6 minutes left on the clock here.

And the wolves can feel it.

Coach Davenport can keep his head up.

He's got a very young team here, ten or 11 seniors.

So a lot of players coming back, knowing the system a little bit better going into a second year.

You can look for a lot of good things from this Decatur Bulldog team.

That was a 54 yard punt for Simonsson, his average right around 35.

That helps.

Battle up in a little bit here in the first ten wolves offense.

Takes back over Manly with to hand it off to the fullback and that's Zach Smith in the senior who's certainly been the workhorse today I mean Walker has certainly gotten his carries but Smith has been the guy that has really open things up and you know, he's also a good blocking fullback with that good tailback, but he makes the most of all his carries, too.

Opened up a lot of holes for his tailback, and Darius Walker established a good running game, his self from the fullback position, and he also protected his passer by blocking and released out to catch a few passes in this ballgame well around the game for Zach Smith.

Second down and six Sievers left and right Gator with five up there on the line to give it to Walker and he is written down by Corey Moon but not before a pretty good chunk on second down there to bring up third and short.

You can look at some of the Bulldogs there on the sideline, just about number 55.

Number 80.

And if you look at that moon, they're in pursuit as defensive lineman for as big as those guys look at the size up front those guys are have enough agility to get to drop to get back down the field, make tackles slip right here Walker trying to turn it once again.

And on third short, Buford has first down Andrew Kelly with the tackle.

I think Walker had the awareness just now to real out he had the first down he did not go out of bounds fell down and keeps the clock running.

Yeah, he took a dove just now.

You know, as David Zaleski told us a little while ago.

And as you can look at Walker's numbers, 27 rushes, 147 yards over five yard average and a touchdown.

But really, you know, as David alluded to, I mean, talking to Coach Wood, I mean, this is a team that's gotten it done in areas today, has really showcased all their talent.

They've done more in the air with their receivers and spread the.

Football around than anything.

Skipper, fullback, maybe a yard or two up to the 35.

They're and you got to look again at those bulldogs on the sideline their.

Voice and tell you show me the stack just now Dave.

I would have never guessed that Walker touched the ball 27 times today.

But.

He does not seem like he had that many carries.

But right before that, I was going to say that they've they've done more in the air than they've done really on the ground all day long.

And that some of the other guys are spread it out there.

They've they've thrown the ball for a couple of touchdowns.

Kyle Manley stepped up big, but Walker has quietly gotten his yardage.

It's of been the story all year long.

Walker again making that first man miss and punches it up across the 35 there.

So it will be third down about five.

Andrew with another stop on defense.

He's I tell you what, he's been all over the field today.

Number six.

He's worked real hard to say.

He's done a very good job.

He's it's been fun watching Big Number 61 out there, too, right, Chaz?

Right, man.

He's getting a good push up field.

But those backs are so quick.

Yeah.

Get up and running by that low point to get a handle on Walker on the run there makes a nice.

Move stays on his up across the 45.

And Walker is chipping away right here he's got a first down.

Just keeps his feet moving and you're not going to leg tackle this guy or trying to leg grip him because his legs are too strong.

He just steps over and keeps on going, runs like he's in a pinball machine off of everyone talented movement.

And, you know, he want he wants that.

He wants one more touchdown.

He wants to do it right here in the dome to take that that scoring record away.

He's tied, of course, Herschel Walker and Charles Grant for single season touchdowns.

He'd love to have one more here.

You know what?

I'm going to be selfish.

I want him to get it all.

So I didn't see Herschel get it.

I didn't see Herschel accomplish that.

He did.

I get the opportunity to see Mr. Walker get it.

I want to see him do it.

Come on, Coach.

Give him ball.

Herschel did it back in 1979.

I was six years old and I was six years old.

Charles Grantham most recently back in 97 right there as well, with those 44 touchdowns we saw, course, Jeremy Privett, the quarterback, Charles County, yesterday's all time leading yards passer in the state of Georgia and Walker, of course right there with the touchdowns gets carried to midfield.

Have to get hit by Andrew Kelly.

Under 2 minutes left 3513 and it looks like Buford will indeed advance on next week at state championship against Charlton County.

It's going to be a very big football.

And talking about that one a little bit, again, Charlton has the athletes, of course, that's where the Bailey boys are from.

And Justin Williams, the wideout, is the first cousin of Champ and Boss Bailey and Williams had a big game yesterday along with Tristan Bridges.

And that offense, five wide receivers, they emptied the backfield for most of the game.

That was fun to watch of those.

Get a few for the likes to keep the football on the ground and walk right here.

Driving keeps on going, getting lost in a crowd there and takes it all the way down to the 35 limit to Bell and Terrence Bell combining for the stop there.

But that time Walker just got lost in the crowd and was able to tiptoe around down there.

And he a few people while he was tiptoeing.

He's had a real good day.

I'm looking forward to next week.

I'm sure to play into the boundary and more so than Walker is.

Blockers just continue to stand around and try to find some people to knock back.

And get Buford.

They're going to look at Walker coming out of the game here now with under a minute left and Walker will have to save it for next week's state championship.

Give all oh here the 25 yard touchdown for Mark Standridge end of the game now penalty flags can flying in at the 12.

36 yard run for Standridge who had a blocked punt return for a touchdown in round one against Blessed Trinity.

Big run right here.

I wonder if there is a saying if I could have got one more carry, I would have saw that hole.

That's me.

That could have been my touchdown.

Decatur probably saw that he was out of the game and maybe relaxed to the left.

You better believe it.

Can't do that.

It didn't put eight people in the box.

Probably had a six or seven man stack in their and penalty.

Been listed on the kickoff penalty.

On the kickoff there.

So we're waiting the extra point here now.

Patrick McClelland, the place kicker, wanted a 45 yard field goal earlier this year, and that's a school record, 59 of 66 on point after attempts this.

Year, the facemask can last from the same spot.

Well, next fall.

Was a facemask.

Mr. Kline.

Penalty in their decline.

Okay, there we.

Go.

From our set.

Snap and kick is up and it's right through there.

So McGloin, Anthony, Patty there and Buford, 40 to 13 with just 37 seconds left.

And I think it's safe to say now that the wolves are indeed headed on to play for their fourth straight state championship appearance for their third straight title.

Good Job Today by coach Dexter Ward and the Wolves.

We came to play.

They made the plate mistake.

Three football assignment, three football.

And Mama and daddy.

Granny and everybody is up.

Yeah, number one.

Josh, right here.

You see the linemen, remember, that could be on the deck at home.

If Buford was indeed number one throughout the entire season, then why not 44 consecutive wins after today?

And you saw it right there.

There is Walker.

But as we you know, I know we've talked a lot about Walker, but he is an ultimate team player and he always credits.

It's like just now when the camera was on him, he said his number one shot said, my man right here.

Exactly.

Go and take the light off of me.

And right.

This puts a little bit on my teammates.

That's a good job.

But you talk about the list of coaches that have visited him.

I mean, you've had Rich Brooks from Kentucky, Ty Willingham of Notre Dame.

All those coaches have stood outside Dexter Woods office trying to meet Darius Walker.

He's got a lot of a lot of folks and as you mentioned, over 50 Division one schools in Parker Fleming with the Fair Catch on a kickoff there.

So it's going to be interesting guess that's the only question is where now we'll be in.

Time now tired.

I'll bet you.

Are.

Mr. Walker.

When I came out, Georgia Tech won, the national championship in 90.

So I have a lot of schools wanting me to come there as well.

And I said, well, I figured if Tech win the national championship in 90, they'll probably be someplace in around the ten for the next few years.

Oh boy, was I wrong.

As soon as I got there, they went straight to the top.

Oh, man.

One, two, one and ten season.

But, you know, hopefully Walker makes the right decision and go 13 where he can showcase his ability.

Ross Curry on the carry taken down by Travis Graham and this is probably the last play of the game coming up right here.

As you can look at Curry, he's also had a few carries today.

Once again, want to credit this TV television crew.

They still got a long day ahead of him.

More games here tonight, but want to say hi to all these folks hanging it into all the camera folks.

Tom Hardy's Doug first doing an excellent job along with all the people in the truck there.

Certainly say hi to those guys.

My first time working with this crew.

I really enjoyed it.

You guys did a.

Great job and best of luck for the rest of the afternoon.

That's it.

Final seconds off the board.

You saw coach Steve Davenport and the season will come to an end for Decatur, but not before going 13 and one.

And just a remarkable job by the Bulldogs this year.

Hats to those guys a wonderful season, but it is Buford who advances with a 42 to 13 victory and they will play for the state championship next week.

We'll take a timeout and be right back to wrap things up.

Double action right after this.

Buford a winner, 42 to 13 over Decatur.

Let's go ahead.

Throw it on down to David's desk, standing by with the victorious coach.

Good.

All right, coach Darius Scott, his record tying touchdown.

Your son got a touchdown pass.

Could this have been any sweeter?

Well, the big thing is before it's 14 and oh.

And then able to play in its fourth straight state championship game, that's the biggest factor.

The fact that those guys played well as well as a whole bunch of other people makes it even more satisfying.

But you know, the old cliche, it was a team.

We played a tremendous first half and it seemed like we just kind of held on the second half.

But I'm really, really proud of this football team.

All right.

Well, is your defensive backfield ready for this Charlton passing game?

I don't know.

I'm enjoying this a few more minutes and then maybe on the bus ride home, I'll start sweating those bullets about that because no one else has.

And I don't know if we can or not, but you what?

We're going to be there to try.

All right.

Well, tell me about, you know, you had that brief scare right at the top of the third quarter.

What did the that just pumped your guys up saying we got it.

We got to end this now.

Well, we were there to make a play and their guy, you know, kind of bounced off and made a play himself.

And we knew they had home run type players and that was one of theirs on.

They met another one in the first half.

But you know, between those big plays, I thought our defense, particularly against our run game, was awesome today.

All right, Coach, you know, you want to go celebrate with your team, so have fun.

Congratulations.

Back up to you.

All right.

Buford in Charlotte County for the state championship next week.

That's it for our crew.

For David's scan for Ryan Stewart.

I'm Dave Gardner.

So long, everybody.

Buford, a winner today over Decatur.

This broadcast of the 2003 GHC football semifinals has been provided in part by, Georgia's Electric Membership Corporation's IBEW Local 613 South Trust Bank Kroger Pure Dodge Dealers of Georgia, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and by State Farm.