No one can ever claim that Buford tries to duck anyone.
The No. 1-ranked Wolves, who opened the season with now-Class AAAAAAA No. 1 Roswell, is about to start a three-game stretch against quality competition from outside the state.
Buford this week hosts Bishop Timon from Buffalo, N.Y., takes a week off and plays Jefferson Davis of Montgomery, Ala., and then pays the International School of Broward from Hollywood, Fla. All three of those games will be played at Buford’s Tom Riden Stadium.
So much for easing into a new classification.
Bishop Timon features pro-style quarterback Matt Myers, a strong-armed 6-foot-5 sophomore who is receiving national attention.
“He’s the reason we’re doing the trips,” Bishop Timon coach Charlie Comerford said. “I think he’ll be one of the best players in Western New York. Colleges have already shown interest in him.”
The Tigers are a young team, but return 15 players who helped them reach their league semifinals a year ago.
Buford has a two-year deal with Bishop Timon, so fans can plan to see Myers again next year at Tom Riden.
Gutty debut win for Stockbridge
No. 2-ranked Stockbridge learned a few things in its season opening 35-34 win over Mays at Lakewood Stadium.
First, Kenderick Duncan is going to be just fine at quarterback. He seemed comfortable at the controls and led the team on what proved to be the game-winning drive with less than three minutes left. He scored on a pair of touchdown runs.
Second, Jalen Holston may be a game-changing back. He scored on an 8-yard run and broke one for an 89-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. He finished with 148 yards rushing.
Third, the Tigers are an aggressive bunch on defense. Mike Price returned an interception for a touchdown, they recovered a fumbled punt to set up a touchdown and Ryan Massey sealed the victory with an interception in the final minute.
Big night for Griffin
The season opener against rival Spalding was bigger than normal for the Griffin Bears. Lifelong Griffin native Antonio Andrews, hired in the spring, won his debut as the head coach. The playing field at Memorial Stadium was named Bill Haisten Field in honor of the longtime supporter of Griffin area athletics.
The game lived up to its billing as a high-scoring affair, too. Griffin won 53-50. It was the most combined points scored in the rivalry. The game wasn’t decided until Adan Morales kicked a 36-yard field goal with 3:02 remaining.
Griffin had 543 total yards and Spalding had 343 total yards, according to the Griffin Daily News. Griffin’s Santo Dunn rushed for 174 yards and four touchdowns and quarterback Tylan Morton completed 28 of 34 for 320 yards and one touchdown. Spalding’s A.J. Moses rushed for 161 yards and three touchdowns.
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