Author : Aryan Virani
The 7A state champions of 2021 Collins Hill Eagles traveled to the Buford Wolves, the 6A State champions. In a nationally televised matchup, the Buford defense locked up the Eagles in a big 23-3 win.
The Wolves, now 6-0, were led by Star Alabama commit Justice Haynes. Haynes had 125 yards on 17 carries along with 2 touchdowns. He was crucial for the offense because the Eagles countered the Wolves pass game very well. The Wolves got the scoring started on a 10 yard Haynes touchdown 5 minutes into the game. Haynes had 60 yards on the first drive on 6 carries. The Eagles responded to that touchdown with a solid drive. It was led by a 43 yard screen pass to ATH Dion Crawford which put the Eagles inside Wolves territory. The Wolves would hold up and stop the Eagles to only 3 points on a 30 yard field goal.
Both defenses were playing great early in this game. After the Eagles let up a touchdown to start the game, the Wolves were held scoreless until midway through the 2nd quarter. After runs of 12 and 15 by Haynes, the Wolves were in striking distance again. The Eagles would make a stop and the Wolves would take a 10-3 lead, which they would carry into the half.
Both teams came out of the half slow, but Buford Backup quarterback Tristan Gabrels moved the ball downfield and punched in a 1 yard run by himself to go up 17-3 late in the third. The wolves defense was locking up Collins Hill all night and they were unable to score for the remainder of the game. Buford got their star receiver KJ Bolden involved early in the 4th on a 50 yard screen pass. Haynes would top off the drive with a 10 yard run and the wolves would go up 23-3. That was the final score after Buford locked down the Eagles all night.