No. 1 Buford is putting together one of the more dominant seasons in Georgia high school football history. No. 8 Woodward Academy was no match Friday night, especially without star quarterback Terry Googer.
Thomas Wilson scored three touchdowns, and the top-ranked Wolves scored in all three phases of the game in a 40-7 victory at rainy Tom Riden Stadium.
Buford has won 22 consecutive games and five of the past six state titles. The Wolves advance to the AAA quarterfinals to face either Jefferson County or Carver-Columbus.
Buford has won every game this season by at least 24 points, outscoring opponents 609-72. No team has won every game by 21 or more since Valdosta in 1971, according to Georgia High School Football Daily.
Woodward Academy (9-3) hung around early, forcing Buford to punt twice in the first half. The Wolves had punted only nine times all season entering the game. The War Eagles were down only 7-0 and had the ball late in the first quarter before Googer was sacked and injured his lower right leg. He had to be helped off the field and did not return.
Buford (12-0) broke things open with three touchdowns in the final two minutes of the first half. Wilson scored on a 43-yard touchdown run and, one minute later, returned a fumble 22 yards for another score. Avery Turner blocked a punt on Woodward Academy’s next possession, and Tyler Winslow scooped it up and scored another Buford touchdown for a 26-0 halftime lead.
Wilson added a 76-yard touchdown run on the second play of the second half and finished with 146 yards. Isaac Nauta and Donte Gordon also scored touchdowns for the Wolves.
“This is our closest team in the last few years,” Wilson said. “We all just want to play for each other and play for this community.”
Woodward Academy backups Mack Green and Jes Sutherland split time in place of Googer. Green threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Johnson to account for the War Eagles’ points.
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