What we learned: Buford on mission ... SWD breaks skid

Buford quarterback Aaron McLaughlin

Buford quarterback Aaron McLaughlin

It looks like Buford is going to play this season with a chip on its shoulder.

After failing to get to the state championship game last year for the first time in a decade, the Wolves have come out of the gate like a team on a mission. After dismantling Tucker 40-14 on opening night, Buford spotted Jonesboro a touchdown on Friday and rolled to a 58-7 win.

Derrian Brown ran for 155 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Buford offense. Quarterback Aaron McLaughlin completed 12 of 22 passes for 165 with one interception. The Wolves’ defense got sacks from five different players and did not allow a first down in the first half. (Jonesboro’s only first-half first down came via penalty.)

Next week the Wolves host Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Here’s what else we learned on Friday night:

The Dutchtown Defense is for real: The Bulldogs recorded their second straight shutout, blanking Creekside 14-0. They shutout Hughes 31-0 in the opener. Samir Trawick had an interception that set up Chrostopher Coneway's 20-yard touchdown run that put the game away in the third quarter. Quarterback Arendez Fedd opened the scoring with an 11-yard touchdown run.

Clarke Central takes to the ground: The Gladiators (2-0) beat Oconee County 17-10 behind its two stellar running backs. Jonathan Sewell rushed for 108 yards and O'Brien Barnett ran for 70 yards and had four receptions for 39 yards. First-year quarterback Isaac Ward completed 6 of 10 for 51 yards.

Southwest DeKalb ends losing streak to Stephenson: The Panthers improved to 2-0 and snapped a seven-game losing streak to their neighborhood rivals, beating Stephenson 21-16 in overtime. The Southwest DeKalb defense made a swarming stop on the final play in overtime to secure the win. SWD's Jamel Starks opened the second half with a 90-yard kickoff return.

The Warner Robins offense is still smoking hot: The Demons rolled up a 50-40 win over Locust Grove thanks to four touchdown passes from Dylan Fromm and four touchdowns from Jahlen Rutherford. Warner Robins led 40-13 early in the third quarter. Warner Robins (2-0) beat Tift County 40-29 in the opener.

Carrollton survives big plays for win: The No. 4-ranked Trojans won their season opener, beating East Coweta 32-27 after holding a 32-14 lead entering the final quarter. Carrollton allowed two big pass plays in the last quarter – an 80-yarder from Nate Cronic to Chris Moore and an 83-yarder from Cronic to Brayden Carey. Carrollton also allowed a 94-yard touchdown pass and a 99-yard kickoff return.

Big win for Ware County: The No. 8 Gators (2-0) beat Class AAAA No. 8 Burke County 25-24 in overtime. Tommy Castro scored on a sneak in overtime and Ware converted the two-pointer