It very well may have been one of the greatest upsets in Georgia sports history. The Buford baseball team entered the 2021 GHSA 6A playoffs undefeated at 29-0, outscoring opponents by a whopping 226 to 23 margin. The Wolves were widely considered the best baseball team in the nation and a lock for the 6A state championship.
After sweeping Alexander in the first round, Buford matched up against a solid Pope squad. Unsurprisingly, the Wolves took the first game, 8-1. Then, in the second game, Pope’s pitching held Buford scoreless, allowing the Greyhounds to escape with a 1-0 win in extra innings, ending the Wolves’ hopes of a perfect season.
Still, expectations held that Buford would easily clinch the series with a home third game. However, in the upset of the year, the Greyhounds stunned the Wolves with a 5-3 road victory. Any chance that Buford could cement itself as the best Georgia baseball team ever no longer existed.
One year later, those devastating memories haven’t faded from the Wolves’ mind. Buford opened its 2022 campaign with 20 straight victories, eerily similar to that dominating 2021 team. Their roster is ripe with 19 seniors ready to avenge last year’s loss and claim the title they believe is rightfully theirs.
On par with last season’s squad, Buford’s batting has been phenomenal. The Wolves have brought in seven or more runs in 19 of their 23 total games so far. That includes a series against Central Gwinnett in which the Wolves outscored the Knights 41-1 in three games. Buford baseball is currently undefeated against teams from Georgia, mimicking that successful formula from last year’s regular season.
With the 6A playoffs only a couple weeks away, the Wolves are to determine to avoid repeating history. There will be no overconfidence or slacking. They will be aggressive at the plate, setting a tone that has prevailed the past two seasons, the two 2021 losses notwithstanding. This year’s postseason likely marks the last time the Buford baseball team will have a chance to establish itself as a generational force, one of the best the nation has to offer.
While the end goal of a state championship is simple, the road will be tougher. Should the Wolves reach the quarterfinals, they may likely have to play Houston County, a team MaxPreps currently considers the best in Georgia. The path never eases, as Buford would likely play Allatoona (currently 22-2) or Evans (18-4) in the semifinals. The Wolves don’t have the easier side of the bracket this season, so they’ll need to play the best baseball possible in order to secure a state title.
If there’s one thing to expect from Buford come playoff time, it’s unwavering confidence. Buford’s players, especially the seniors, are not ready to end the season the same way they did last year. There will be offensive firepower, and there will be stellar pitching. Now, only time will tell whether Buford can erase the daunting memories of a season that could have been legendary.
