It took the No. 8-ranked team in the country to hand Buford its first loss of the season.
The Class AAAAA No. 2-ranked Wolves, playing for the first time in three weeks, lost a 33-27 decision to South Pointe of Rockhill, S.C. It was Buford’s first loss at home since 2012 against Deshaun Watson-led Gainesville.
The Buford defense had no answer for Clemson commit Derion Kendrick, who rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 133 yards and two touchdowns. He is being recruited as a defensive back.
Buford ran the ball effectively. Christian Turner rushed for 90 yards and Anthony Grant rushed for 84 yards and scored two touchdowns.
But Buford’s special teams made the biggest impact. Austin Turner recovered an errant punt snap in the end zone, Jamaal Singleton blocked a field goal, and Austin Turner returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown.
Buford is off again this week before starting Region 8 competition on Sept. 29 against Clarke Central.
Riley paces No. 3 Stockbridge: B.J. Riley rushed for three touchdowns as the Tigers rolled by a 33-3 win over Ola. Riley scored on runs of 4, 17 and 6 yards. Quarterback Gabriel McKenzie scored on a 40-yard run and Demaje Carter returned an interception for a touchdown.
No. 4 Carrollton survives: The Trojans produced six touchdowns – two passing, four rushing – and it was barely enough to hold off East Paulding 43-41. East Paulding's failed two-point conversion with six minutes left would have tied the game.
No. 5 Warner Robins improves to 4-0: The Demons got 280 yards and three touchdowns pass from Dylan Fromm ant beat inter-county rival Houston County 38-21. Jarius Burnette ran for two touchdowns for Warner Robins.
No. 6 Griffin wins late: Quarterback Avious Nelson continues to grow into the role of Griffin's team leader. On Friday, he threw three touchdown passes, the last one a fourth-down pass to David Westmoreland to win the game. The Bears trailed 16-14 after allowing a safety with three minutes to play, but raced down the field to score in time to beat Baldwin 21-16.
No. 8 Starr's Mill rides Gilley to win: Cole Gilley ran for 104 yards and scored on a 23-yard run and Michael Lantz kicked a pair of field goals in the 21-6 win over Sandy Creek. The Starr's Mill defense came up with two interceptions and 10 tackles for negative yardage and broke a three-game losing streak to their old rivals.
No. 10 Wayne County rolls on: The Yellow Jackets whipped Appling County 49-14 to improve to 3-0. It's the program's best start since the 2013 opened the season with five straight wins, won the region championship and went 11-3.
Rescheduled: Several additional games were rescheduled because of Hurricane Irma. Statesboro and Effingham County will play on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. Others pushed their games further out on the calendar. Cedar Shoals moved its game against Oconee County to a Thursday game on Oct. 5. Thomas County Central switched its game against Valdosta to Sept. 29. New Hampstead and Long County rescheduled their game for Sept. 29.
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