By: Mark Blumen
Buford got four touchdowns, three rushing and one receiving from senior running back Derrian Brown and cruised to a 40-14 victory over the Tucker Tigers. The two teams have not played since 1955 when both were considered country schools in the same region.
After Buford tried to use their passing attack to no avail, the Wolves reverted to their running game on their third possession that was set up by an interception by Carson Patel with 2:11 left in the first period. Brown got his first touchdown on a 5-yard run with 10:45 left in the half. Hayden Olson made the extra point for a 7-0 lead. Brown had 10 carries for 61 yards at this point and was on his way to a big game.
Tucker roared right back with 5’7″ Tyler Hughey who broke up the middle for a 77-yard touchdown. After a flip into the endzone that was assessed a penalty, Kyle Wright still made the PAT to tie the score 7-7.
Buford stormed right back and drove the length of the field as Brown scored on a 1-yard plunge with 5:25 left in the half. Olson made the PAT for a 14-7 lead. Buford blocked a punt at their own 25 yard line but ran out of time at the 1-yard line without scoring.
Buford increased the lead to 21-7 in the third when Aaron McLaughlin hit Brown on a 33-yard pass down the sideline with 7:41 to go in the third period. Olson’s PAT made it a 14-point lead. Brown had 18 carries for 95 yards and 2 catches for 39 yards at this point of the game.
Tucker’s Travon Ford found Isaiah Dunson on a 69-yard post play with 6:04 left. Wright made the PAT to cut the lead to 21-14. But Buford got a Brown 22-yard scamper for his fourth touchdown to give Wolves a 28-14 lead after Olson’s PAT.
McLaughlin found Austin Turner on a 71-yard touchdown as the rout was on.
A fourth period safety and a field goal were the final scores for the Wolves.
Brown who had 844 yards last season will be the feature back this season as he is ranked #14 nationally. The Wolves lone setback was a first period injury to OL Carter Colquitt who injured a knee.
The Wolves will take on Jonesboro at home on Friday, August 24th at 7:30 p.m. This is student appreciation night at Tom Riden Stadium.
