Buford ends frustration against Indians

FOLKSTON -- The Buford football team erased four years of frustration Friday night, knocking off Charlton County 21-14 in the quarterfinals of the Class AA state playoffs.

The three-time defending state champion Indians had knocked the Wolves out of the playoffs each of the past three seasons -- all at Tom Riden Stadium in Buford.

This time Buford got to return the favor at The Swamp leading from start to finish in improving to 13-0 on the season.

Buford will take on Dublin, who was a 27-13 winner over Pepperell, next Saturday at 9 a.m. in the semifinals at The Georgia Dome.

Both defenses dominated the first quarter, with Buford being stopped on downs on its opening possession and then the Indians, after getting to the Buford 16 on the second play of the game following a 46-yard run by Dexter Haynes was stopped on fourth-and-9 as Notre Dame-signee Omar Hunter slammed the door on the Charlton drive.

The Wolves then took the ball 85-yards in 14 plays -- 13 on runs -- capped by a 6-yard TD run from Demetris Murray for a 7-0 lead.

The Buford defense came up big again holding Charlton on downs and then Twoey Hosch hit Kody Case for a touchdown pass to cap another solid drive to make it 14-0 with under 40 second left in the half.

But Charlton would not stay down. The Indians' Rishawn Edwards took the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a score to cut the lead to 14-7 with 23 second left in the half.

Both defenses then took over again in the second half with Buford sealing the win recovering a Charlton fumble on the Indians' 15 and then Murray finished what he started with a 4-yard run for a 21-7 lead with under two minutes left. Murray finished the night with 92 yards on 19 carries.

Charlton cut it to 21-14 on an 11-yard pass from Haynes to Renaldo Jackson with 33 seconds left but Buford recovered the onside kick to seal the victory.