In our pick for semifinals game of the week, The Jones County Greyhounds will be hosting the visiting Buford Wolves for what is sure to be a great matchup. The two teams have met on the field only once before back in 2016. The Greyhounds proved easy pickings for the Wolves, who won that game 56-26. It’s unlikely the Greyhounds will make for such easy prey this year, and it’s quite possible this game could go down to the final buzzer.
The Buford Wolves come into this game following a close 24-21 road-win against Carrollton. The Wolves were able to make a lucky field-goal in the final seconds. The team is now 12-1 overall in 2019. Over the course of the 13 games played thus far, the Wolves have averaged 35.85 points per game on offense and allowed only 13.69 ppg on defense. Buford played three 7A schools in non-region games this year and won all of them. They’re a fierce, well-conditioned team that undeniably presents a real challenge for the Greyhounds.
The Jones Co Greyhounds enter the semifinals following last week’s 49-14 shutdown win over Griffin, a game in which they were down 14-7 at the half. The team is also 12-1 overall this season. Their one loss came against Stockbridge in the regular season finale. Jones Co already had the region-crown in the bag and decided to rest their starters and avoid potential injury. Through the games played up to this point, the Hounds have averaged 32.77 ppg on offense and allowed 17.77 on D. They are led by first-year head coach Mike Chastain.
Both teams have played solid football this fall and have made it to the Final Four teams of 5A. The Wolves are favored to win, but Jones Co could easily pull off an upset. This game marks the first time the Greyhounds have ever made it to the semifinals and hopefully, the significance of that achievement will inspire them to further victory. Most sports fans in Central GA are hoping to see Jones Co and Warner Robins face off in the State-Finals– such would make for an epic matchup. First, though, both teams must survive the semifinals.
The neutral game will be held in Gray, GA on Friday, December 6 at 7:30 PM. The winner of this matchup will travel to Georgia-State Stadium (formerly Turner Field) to take on either Starr’s Mill or Warner Robins in the 5A State-Finals.