Two programs picked up wins for their first-year coaches on Friday, with Hiram’s Pete Fominaya and Walnut Grove’s Robert Andrews both getting into the win column.
Hiram defeated South Paulding 30-12, while Walnut Grove beat Morgan County 34-31 in overtime. Both coaches lost their debut games.
Walnut Grove had the closest call. Morgan County took the lead in overtime when Finn Williams kicked a 39-yard field goal. But the Warriors scored on a 1-yard run to send the crowd into a frenzy.
Here’s how the ranked teams fared on Friday:
No. 1 Rome blanks North Clayton: The Wolves (2-0) were ahead 35-0 at halftime and applied the brakes. Rome had 362 yards in offense, most of it on the ground. Jamious Griffin rushed eight times for 184 yars and three touchdowns and Traceton Lawrence carred nine times for 91 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 2 Buford falls: The Wolves (2-1) lost to an out-of-state team for the second straight year, losing to Deerfield Beach, Fla., 19-14. Buford led with 3:01 remaining when Deerfield scored on a 76-yard touchdown. Buford's Derrian Brown rushed 31 times for 160 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 6 Kell handles rival Lassiter: The Longhorns (2-0) warmed up for next week's game against Rome by beating Lassiter 29-3. Evan Conley completed 11 of 17 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns, a 21-yarder to Cameron Ball and a 2-yard to Jamal Hill. Nick Ross scored on a 60-yard pick-six to start the game.
No. 9 Jones County knocks off Northside: The Greyhounds were led by quarterback Hunter Costlow, who threw four touchdown passes, one o 66-yarder to Jontavis Robertson.
Among the other ranked team: No. 7 Wayne County beat Richmond Hill 23-21, No. 8 Ware County lost to Coffee 21-14, and No. 10 Dutchtown beat Crisp County 28-3. No. 3 Warner Robins did not play. No. 5 Stockbridge played on Saturday.
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