Thursday March 28th, 2024 4:18PM

(VIDEO) Buford battles only to fall behind late in 48-24 defeat at Archer

By AccessWDUN Staff

LAWRENCEVILLE — For two-and-a-half quarters Buford football took everything Archer could throw its way -- and fired right back.

The Tigers shifted another gear late in the third quarter, however, scoring four unanswered touchdowns over the final 16 minutes and 14 seconds to pull away from the Wolves with a 48-24 victory in Lawrenceville.

The contest was billed as heavyweight battle between Class 7A No. 5 Archer and Class 5A No. 2 Buford, and that indeed proved the case for most of the way.

Wolves running back Derrian Brown landed a number of body blows for the visitors, rushing 160 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries. Brown's 14-yard scoring plunge midway through the third quarter yielded a 24-20 Buford lead, electrifying the visitors.

Instead of panicking, however, the Tigers (4-1) turned to quarterback Carter Peevy, who got things going with his legs. The junior called his own number on back-to-back possessions, keeping the ball and scampering for touchdown runs of 54 and 14 yards to yield breathing room for Archer at 34-24 -- Peevy finished with 4 rushes for 101 yards.

Peevy then connected with receiver Emmanuel Michel on a 33-yard touchdown pass with 8:30 remaining to help Archer clamp its authority on the contest. Peevy also connected on 13 of 16 passes for 203 yards and 2 TDs -- including a 20-yard touchdown strike to Braylen Weems (4 receptions, 64 yards) with 8:43 remaining in the third quarter for a 20-17 Archer lead. It was a score that kept the Tigers afloat during Buford's second and third quarter barrage.

After Semaje Banks' 10-yard touchdown run yielded a 13-3 lead for Archer, the Wolves (3-2) took control, scoring on three straight possessions -- two in the second quarter and on their first possession of the third to charge in front. Aaron McLaughlin (8 of 16, 113 yards) connected with Jamaal Singleton for a 28-yard touchdown pass, while Brown began to take control, scoring his first touchdown run on fourth-and-inches from the Tigers' 11-yard line for a 17-13 halftime lead.

Archer fired right back to start the third quarter on Weems' TD reception, only to be one-upped by Brown's 14-yard scoring run.

It was high-tide for Buford, however, which punted on its following three posssessions as the Tigers took full control, finishing with 450 total yards, including 247 rushing. Archer limited Buford to 252 total yards.

Buford begins Region 8-5A play next week against Johnson.

  • Associated Categories: Sports, High School Sports, Friday Game Night
  • Associated Tags: High school football, Buford football
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