By Christian Malone

The Valdosta Daily Times

ADEL — Cook High’s football team is in the third round of the state playoffs, and preparing to play the defending state champions.

Cook (7-5) travels to two-time defending Class AA state champion Buford (11-1) on Friday.

This is the third straight year that Cook entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed out of Region 1-AA, then upset a region champion in the first round of the playoffs. In 2007, the Hornets knocked off Swainsboro, 42-27, then won their next two games as well (21-0 over Dodge County and 34-20 over Greater Atlanta Christian), and made a Cinderella run to the state semifinals. In 2008, they beat Appling County, 26-10, and made it to the second round. This season, Cook beat Northeast Macon, 28-14, in the first round, then knocked off Appling last week, 29-21.

Buford head coach Jess Simpson is impressed with Cook.

“Their speed of play is nothing like we’ve been used to. They play at a very fast pace, and they’re very physical. Our kids know what we’re in for,” Simpson said. “I would be worried about (people getting too caught up in Cook’s 7-5 record) normally, but our kids and our fans are pretty savvy.”

Cook is averaging 19 points per game, while giving up an average of 18 points. The Hornets are averaging 28.5 points in the playoffs, while allowing 17.5.

Tonight, they will take on arguably the premier program in AA. Since moving up from A to AA in 2002, Buford has a record of 108-5, and owns state championships from 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2008.

This year, the Wolves are 11-1. Since losing to Lovett, 28-21, in their third game, they have won nine straight games. Last week, Buford defeated Jefferson, 30-22.

The Wolves are usually loaded with talent, and this year is no different. Buford has three Southeastern Conference commitments in running back/linebacker Jessel Curry (Auburn), 285-pound lineman Kolton Houston (Georgia) and 333-pound lineman Du’Von Millsap (South Carolina).

The only other time Cook and Buford have played, it was also in the state quarterfinals. The Wolves defeated the Hornets, 30-12, in the third round of the 2003 playoffs.