Game Preview: North Cobb at Buford

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week three is here in the peach state and there's one game in particular that everyone has their eyes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That will be Buford and North Cobb.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Buford Wolves are one of the top teams in the country and are off to a fantastic start to the 2022 season. The North Cobb Warriors are a very impressive 7A program led by one of the top quarterbacks in the state along with lots of other future D1 players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which players do you need to keep an eye on? Let's take a look...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Buford:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='34011' first='Justice' last='Haynes'] - Running Back</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolves have one of the best running backs on the roster in high four-star [player_tooltip player_id='34011' first='Justice' last='Haynes']. A dynamic back with size, speed, and explosiveness, Haynes is a tackle-breaking machine at 5-foot-10 200-pounds and committed to play next year at Alabama. There aren't many defenses in the country who can stop Haynes, and he's off to a terrific senior season with the Wolves. Look for him to play plenty of opportunities to make plays against a strong North Cobb team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='137438' first='KJ' last='Bolden'] - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most explosive and versatile players not only in Georgia, but across the country, Bolden is a big-play waiting to happen and has a knack for making plays no matter where he's lined up on the field. A 5-star prospect in the 2024 class, Bolden has plenty of speed on offense, and he showed it on a big touchdown reception against powerhouse Thompson (AL) in week one. He's an impact defender as well who knows how to make a big tackle against the run and cover a lot of ground against the pass. He's insanely athletic and will be asked to be all over the field against the Warriors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220734' first='Eddrick' last='Houston'] - EDGE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A dominant EDGE defender with size and quickness off the ball, Houston flourished against Thompson on national television and showed he can get after the quarterback. He has plenty of size at 6-foot-3 255-pounds and gets off the ball quickly. He's strong in the upper body and is only getting better and better. He can be used as a tight end as well, but his ability to get after the quarterback will make him a Buford defender to watch all game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Other Buford Wolves to know include...</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 LB [player_tooltip player_id='321487' first='Jadon' last='Perlotte']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 DB [player_tooltip player_id='321461' first='Jaylen' last='Neal']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 OL [player_tooltip player_id='320358' first='Paul' last='Mubenga']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 QB [player_tooltip player_id='326299' first='Dylan' last='Wittke']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Cobb</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='34008' first='Malachi' last='Singleton'] - Quarterback</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The North Cobb Warriors have one of the best rushing attacks in Georgia and it starts with senior quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='34008' first='Malachi' last='Singleton']. A true dual-threat quarterback and current Arkansas commitment, Singleton is a powerful runner with speed who ran over just about every defense he went up against last season. He's still developing more and more as a passer, and he'll need to bring his "A" game against the Wolves on the road. He has a tough task in front of him, but Singleton has the talent and skillset to get the job done. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xavier Jackson - Wide Receiver</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile defender with speed, Jackson is a former Hillgrove playmaker who is now catching passes from Singleton at North Cobb. He got his senior season off to a great start against Westlake in game one, catching three passes for 91 yards and one touchdown. When the Warriors aren't running the ball, they'll be looking Jackson's way in the passing game. He has strong hands, he's a big-play threat, and he knows how to pick up yards after the catch. He'll be going up against a talented Buford defense, so he needs to play his very best and become a reliable weapon for Singleton in the passing game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='34019' first='David' last='Mbadinga'] - Running Back</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another terrific runner on the North Cobb offense, Mdabinga is an experienced back who has had a very nice high school career. He's a tough runner who can put his foot in the ground and get upfield when there's some space to run. In North Cobb's big win against Westlake, Mbadinga was named "Offense Player of the Game", accounting for 100 yards on 9 touches and finding the end-zone once in the big win. He's a threat in the passing game out of the backfield and should see plenty of chances to make plays in different ways against Buford. If North Cobb can pull off the upset, they might need a big game from their senior running back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Other North Cobb players to know...</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 OL Marselle Felton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 OL [player_tooltip player_id='334644' first='Zachary' last='Addison']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 DB <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://247sports.com/player/quentin-ajiero-46129738" target="_blank">[player_tooltip player_id='393469' first='Quentin' last='Ajiero']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->