Buford’s first play from scrimmage gave an idea of its offensive approach in the season-opener, a 13-10 loss to Milton.
Senior running back Justin Baker took the opening handoff from quarterback Dayton Raiola. Milton rallied to stop Baker for a minimal gain. But Buford didn’t shy away. It rightfully went to the well again, again and again.
In the first half, Baker (nine) and fellow senior running back Ethan Ervin (six) split 15 carries for 66 yards. By game’s end, Buford’s duo split 23 carries for 108 yards in what mimicked that of college programs over recent years. It also gave a similar feel to old-school Buford offenses with a ground-and-pound approach.
“We are a good duo. It’s going to take more than one person to do it,” Ervin said. “We learn off of each other. We get better off of each other.”
Buford lost fair-and-square in an exciting game. It became a marathon game after a two-hour weather delay at intermission threw a wrench in the festivities. The Wolves’ offense stagnated at times, but there were a handful of positive takeaways from Friday’s opener — the biggest of which being the play of the new-look offensive line and the run game.
Buford started a group of Graham Houston at left tackle, Brayden Burton at left guard, Preston Clark at center, Marcus Major at right guard and Ben Mubenga at right tackle.
“We want everybody we can get,” Ervin said. “We have to work with the people we’ve got and get better. We have to stay with them.”
Added Baker, prior to the season: “They have a sense of mojo. They have a certain swag.”
Baker and Ervin’s stats won’t be the most eye-popping of the season as Buford gets acclimated to the bodies up front. Nonetheless, last Friday became a taste of success to come.
Raiola — who finished with seven completions and 101 yards — had a flashy play late in the contest. His duck-and-cover move to avoid a sack allowed him to find receiver Kyle Carpenter for a 26-yard gain. Raiola, however, did take two sacks and a few long passes went short of the target. Buford felt comfortable with Raiola and did not use Collins Hill quarterback TJ Wilcox to implement a two-quarterback system. Wilcox played a role at punter for Buford.
To be fair, Raiola only threw 10 passes in a Buford uniform prior to this season.
“He knows the offense,” Baker said in a late-July media session inside Buford’s facilities. “Dayton can really sling it.”
As the quarterback position rounds into form, the run success becomes increasingly vital. The talents of Baker, Ervin and the offensive line’s run blocking appeared with nine more game opportunities to follow.
**All quotes in this story were obtained via official media sessions in the preseason or postgame**
FEATURED PHOTO: Courtesy of David McGregor
