By Samir Ajy
The 2024 season will kick off with the Buford Wolves hosting the defending Class 7A champion Milton Eagles in a highly anticipated matchup between two of the best high school programs in the state. Buford will look to continue a stretch of dominance that has included 25-consecutive winning seasons and 13 state titles.
At Buford, head coach Bryant Appling is entering his sixth year at the school. Appling led the Wolves to three consecutive 6-A State titles in his first three years from 2019-2021 and hopes to build off of his team’s 11-2 campaign in 2023, in which they won another Region title and qualified for the GHSA Playoffs. After defeating Norcross 28-25 in the first round, they suffered a 19-14 defeat to Grayson in the quarterfinal.
Milton, contrarily, experienced very little success until recently, winning just two Region titles from 1950-2016. However, since 2017, the Eagles have cemented themselves as one of the top football programs in the state, achieving seven straight winning seasons, six straight regional titles, and two state championships. Ben Reeves is entering his third year at Milton looking to defend the school’s second state title in its history.
The Eagles will be led by senior quarterback and Miami (Florida) commit Luke Nickel, who is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the state. Nickel nearly eclipsed 4000 passing yards and threw 39 touchdown passes to just five interceptions in 2023 and won his second B2C Georgia Player of the Year award, while leading the Eagles to the program’s second state title since 2017. He looks to finish off his high school career by leading the Eagles to back-to-back state titles, as they move to the 6-A Class.
“As a coach, there’s no better feeling than having a three year starter at quarterback and someone who has played in so many games and been in so many big time moments” Reeves said of Nickel.
Milton will also look to replace two First-Team GHSA All-State recipients in wide receiver Debron Gatling and linebacker Jacorey Stewart. Reeves exclaimed excitement for tight end and University of Georgia commit Ethan Barbour and how his staff looks to incorporate him into the offense.
“I know he’s going to Georgia classified as a tight end, which will be very multiple for them, but he’s actually going to be filling the position outside that Debron Gatling was in. So, you know, we’re excited.” Milton explained.
Regarding replacing Stewart at the linebacker position, Reeves’ staff intends on trying out various
young players who may have not received much of an opportunity last season, along with trying out players with the potential of serving in a safety-linebacker hybrid role.
“As the outside linebacker position, we’re touring with a bunch of different models, you know, we got a couple safeties we’re looking at down there, you know, some some younger kids that didn’t get to play a lot on varsity last year, but it might be their time to step in fulfill that role.”
Reeves and his staff will have to gameplan for a plethora of talent Burford possesses on both sides of the ball. Their offense headlines Collins Hill transfer, senior quarterback TJ Wilcox to replace Dylan Raiola, along with four-star running back and Tennessee commit Justin Baker. Defensively, they feature linebackers Jadon Perlotte, who’s a five star recruit, and the hard-hitting Kenyon Rivera. Their secondary will be led by four star cornerback Devin Williams. Reeves is confident that the reps his offense gets in practice against the strong defense Milton features will have them well-prepared to face talented players, such as Perlotte, Rivera, and Williams.
“When our offense goes against our defense every day, they go against two corners going to Tennessee, a safety going to Duke, a D lineman going to Arkansas.” Reeves stated. “You don’t have to necessarily change up a game plan, per say, just because of a four star or a five star, when that is somewhat your baseline and so much of what you’ve been practicing against. Schematically, can we find a way to be a little bit better than them? And then, from an execution standpoint, can we find a way to be a little bit better than them as well?”
A highly anticipated matchup should be a fitting way to kick off another highly anticipated season in Georgia high school football.
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