CALHOUN, Ga. — Hal Lamb knows the formula well. In fact, the Calhoun High School football coach used it to help elevate the Yellow Jackets to one of the top Class AA programs in Georgia during the past eight years.

Now, in today’s championship matchup with top-ranked Buford, he has to coach against it.

The secret to the formula isn’t flashy or sexy. Yes, it starts with good athletes and sound offensive and defensive schemes. However, what put the Jackets over the top during the program’s run of eight consecutive region titles were exceptional special teams.

Whether it was having terrific kickers such as Jimmy Little, Scott Blair or Andy Elackman, dangerous return men such as Adam Urbano or Kris Durham or head-hunting coverage units, special teams always gave Calhoun a huge advantage.

In today’s title game, though, that edge goes to the Wolves. While Calhoun has broken in a freshman kicker, a new snapper and a punter, Buford has experienced special teams. Led by senior kicker Alex Villafuerte, they have played a big part in each of the team’s 14 wins this year. The Wolves rarely have eye-popping offensive yardage in a game, but they don’t have to.

Staff Photo by Patrick Smith
Calhoun running back Dustin Christian (5) is wrapped up by Toombs County defenders during the second quarter of Friday night's game. Calhoun led 20-7 with 2:30 left before halftime.

In Buford’s 44-7 playoff win over North Oconee, for example, the Wolves’ first four possessions and six of their seven in the first half all began inside the North Oconee 40, and each resulted in a score. All of Villafuerte’s kickoffs resulted in touchbacks, Buford’s powerful defense got quick stops, and the return game, led by senior back Cody Getz, set up the Wolves in great shape. A fake punt also led to a touchdown.

Against Fitzgerald last week, Villafuerte kicked three field goals and none of Buford’s seven scoring drives had to go more than 55 yards. Afterward, coach Jess Simpson praised his special teams.

“That has really been the recipe here lately, creating short fields for our offense,” he said. “Our average starting position has been at midfield, and that makes things easier for our offense.”

Lamb knows his team has to at least slow the return game of the Wolves, especially after giving up several long returns in recent weeks, including an 86-yard touchdown in last week’s 38-35 win over Brooks County.

“We’ve got to do a better job on kickoffs,” Lamb said. “If you give them a chance, they will burn you. We’ve seen a lot of games where they get short fields because of their special teams. I don’t know what we’re going to do, but we have to do something different.”

If the Jackets can neutralize that advantage, the other key to pulling off the upset of the five-time champion is finding a way to control Buford’s version of “Slash and Dash” in the backfield. Tailback Getz is a dashing 5-foot-7, 160 pounds, while 6-1, 200-pound Storm Johnson does the slashing. The two have combined for more than 2,200 yards and 42 touchdowns. Against Fitzgerald they combined for 224 of the team’s 249 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

“It’s no secret what they want to do, and that’s run it right down your throat,” Lamb said. “They’re very physical and well coached, and we’ll have to match their intensity or we won’t stop them.”

If the game gets into a shootout, however, the Jackets are prepared. In fact, one advantage Lamb’s team might have is the fact Buford hasn’t defended against the spread attack often this season. Led by quarterback Michael Johnson, Calhoun has passed for nearly 3,000 yards.

“They’ve played some teams that can pass it, but not like we can,” Lamb said. “I don’t know how much we’re going to be able to run against them, but I believe we can pass it some.”

The other advantage Calhoun has is the intangible of being a huge underdog.

“We like being the underdog, and we know that no matter what happens, we’ve had an incredible season,” Lamb said. “This has probably been the most gratifying year I’ve had in coaching because I’ve seen so much improvement.”