10 players who stood out in the star-studded Buford-Gainesville game

3-star QB DJ Hunter, Buford, 2027

Credit: Erik S. Lesser for the AJC

Credit: Erik S. Lesser for the AJC

Hunter handled the massive stage in his first career start well, especially considering how the game started. Buford hadn’t scored any offensive touchdowns by halfway through the third quarter, and the Wolves trailed 13-10.

Then Hunter, a James Madison commitment, broke off two rushing touchdowns and led Buford with 68 yards rushing and another 68 yards passing.

Unranked LB Chance Davis, Gainesville, 2029

Davis didn’t look like a sophomore — physically or mentally — against a vaunted Buford run game. Davis made several impressive tackles at the line of scrimmage and helped hold Buford’s vaunted run game to 135 yards on 37 carries (3.64 yards per rush).

3-star LB Brayden Watson, Buford, 2027

Watson was one of several Buford linebackers that changed the game on special teams. The Michigan commitment recovered a fumble on a punt that set up a field goal before halftime.

Watson also forced a fumble on Gainesville’s first drive of the game, stopping the Red Elephants’ momentum right before they reached the red zone.

4-star LB Jeremiah Proctor, Gainesville, 2027

Committed to play linebacker for Pittsburgh next season, Proctor made several impressive tackles in run defense from his defensive back position. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder also kept up with Buford’s wideouts in coverage, including a pass breakup against a slot receiver.

3-star LB Ethan Hauser, Buford, 2027

Hauser was the second of three Buford linebackers to make this list for his special teams delivery. The Vanderbilt commitment helped force the fumble that Watson recovered when he beat his teammates to Gainesville punt returner Legend Wilmont and stopped his momentum, opening the door for another turnover.

He also forced and recovered a fumble of his own late in the game, killing Gainesville’s final hopes of a fourth-quarter comeback.

Unranked DL CJ Terry, Gainesville, 2027

Terry didn’t just plug running lanes for other defenders to make plays. The senior got his name called several times for tackles at the line of scrimmage, and he also batted down one of Hunter’s passes.

Unranked LB Brady Wagner, Buford, 2027

Wagner’s special teams moment came in the first quarter when he beat a pack of Wolves to a loose ball in the end zone. The senior scored Buford’s first touchdown of the season, setting the tone by capitalizing on Gainesville’s first mistake.

Wagner dealt a highlight-worthy hit, too, and made several tackles in run defense.

4-star QB Kharim Hughley, Gainesville, 2027

Credit: Erik S. Lesser for the AJC

Credit: Erik S. Lesser for the AJC

Hughley’s dual-threat ability had Buford guessing early. The Clemson commitment ripped off several explosive plays on design runs and scrambles that gave the Red Elephants the lead halfway through the third quarter.

Hughley threw the game’s only touchdown pass and led Gainesville with 97 yards rushing on nine carries.

Unranked OL Angelo Brown, Buford, 2027

Buford’s first two rushing touchdowns of the game, which put the game out of reach, were both behind Brown. The senior moved defensive linemen out of running lanes and climbed to the second level well on screen passes and explosive runs.

Unranked RB Tripp Chatmon, Buford, 2028

No offensive player made a bigger highlight play than Chatmon when he scored the final points Buford needed to win. The running back’s first carry of the game was Buford’s best — running behind Brown, he bounced off Proctor and burned past the rest of Gainesville’s defense on a 40-yard rushing touchdown.