HOSCHTON — Every year, all youth league football teams from around Gwinnett County battle it out to be crowned the Gwinnett Football League (GFL) Champion for their division. This year’s GFL Championship games were held at Mill Creek High School on Nov. 14, 2020. Buford had three teams make it to the championships. The Buford 10U and both 8th Grade Division I and Division II teams were able to not only make it to the finals, but they each were able to bring home the title.
First up was the 10-year-old Buford Gold team coached by Mike Favors. They beat Grayson 19-6. Buford was able to get a touchdown in the first quarter. Grayson would tie the score up with a touchdown of their own. In the third quarter, Buford once again got a touchdown and then followed it up with making good the extra point. The Wolves would add one more touchdown to end the scoring leaving Buford the GFL Champions.
Next up was the Division II team that was able to shut out Lanier 20-0. Buford’s DII defense was able to repeatedly force Lanier to turn over the ball on downs or force fumbles. Mill Creek did not fare much better as the Buford Division I team cruised to a 33-8 win later that evening.
Buford is blessed with a dedicated and talented group of coaches who bring out the best in their players. “Our kids knew what the other team was going to do most of the time before they did it. That is attributed to what these men teach them each and every night. Being away from their own families for hours each week to make these kids better,” eighth-grade head coach Ken Burge said. “ I want to thank all of them for their time and effort that they’ve given to these teams over the last five months and many years before that.”
Whether it was the 10-year-olds or the 8th-graders, the philosophy taught to the boys by their coaches is the same. Buford is big on teaching the kids that they are part of a team. It’s not about any one player but it’s about playing one’s part in the larger picture, the team. The coaches attribute this to their success.
— Alicia Couch Payne
