We’ve found another freshman phenom in S.C.

Piedmont (S.C.) Wren Coach Jeff Tate was watching his ninth grade team play near mid-season when RB Levi Bufford scored 7 TDs on 9 carries.

“I was thinking, ‘Playing down here is not going to be helping him get better anymore,” Tate said. “He already knows plays 20, 21, 24 and 25. That’s enough. We promoted him to the varsity.”

Although the coaches broke him in slowly, Bufford exploded. In seven games, he rushed for 788 yards and 9 TDs on 90 carries, an 8.8 yards-per-carry average.
And in his team’s 56-55 loss to James Island in the playoffs, Bufford carried 15 times for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns.

“I should have given it to him more,” Tate said.

Watch out for this Class of 2013 member. He’s already 5-foot-9½ and 190 pounds. He hasn't been timed in the 40 yet, but Tate said, "Nobody on our team can catch him.”

--Stan Olson