POWDER SPRINGS — It’s been a while since Buford football experienced something like this.
After Friday’s 37-14 loss to McEachern the Wolves were already focusing on how to respond and put it in the past.
The Indians scored 20 unanswered points to pull away from Buford, halting the Wolves 42-game unbeaten streak and handing Buford its first loss on the field in a regular season game since 2012.
It was an experience that Buford coach Jess Simpson said his team will take to heart.
“We’ve got better days in front of us, and we’re going to grow because of this,” said Simpson, whose team is still finding its standouts after graduating 25 seniors from last year’s Class AAAA title squad and battling a number of injuries early this season. “Often you learn so much more in a loss than in a win, and I have no doubt these coaches and these kids on this team are going to be fine. We’re going to be a very different team two months down the road...”
Buford (2-1) looked set to throw off its underdog role in the opening seconds of Friday’s showdown with the Class AAAAAA power, scoring on its very first play from scrimmage. McEachern (1-1) was hardly shaken, however, responding with its own explosive play on its first offensive snap before pulling ahead for good late in the first quarter.
Yet Buford kept the pressure on, pulling within 17-14 midway through the third quarter -- only to watch McEachern explode for three straight touchdowns.
Indians running back Sam Jackson (14 carries, 93 yards) provided two critical scores -- his 27-yard run in the second quarter providing breathing room before his 22-yard scamper in the third quarter stemmed the Wolves’ budding momentum after Martin Mangram bulled into the end zone to make it 17-14.
“When we watch film of this game there’s going to be a lot of ‘one mores,’ one more play we could have made, one more tackle, one more block... but that’s football” Simpson said. “We had that big play early, and then gave one up right back. We couldn’t afford that. That was a really good team, and we just eventually ran out of steam.
“But we also got off the floor so many times tonight, and we never quit. That was good to see.”
McEachern out-gained Buford, but only just 402-383. The duo of Anthony Grant (13 carries, 93 yards) and Martin Mangram (15 carries, 67 yards) carrying a Wolves rushing attack that rolled up 217 yards. Yet Buford also stunted its own momentum with four turnovers.
“It was a whole team thing tonight; we’ve got to get better, and we will,” Simpson said.
The Wolves flashed their big-play capability -- and their creativity -- on the very first play from scrimmage, as quarterback Mic Roof, stood straight up and passed the ball backward to Brandon Marsh -- who promptly heaved it downfield for a wide open Alan Bussoletti.
The senior receiver hauled in the double-pass and sprinted 61 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
Yet the shocking start could not shake McEachern, which responded in kind.
Taking over at their own 30, the Indians scored on their very first offensive snap, quarterback Bailey Hockman (10 of 24 passing, 239 yards, 3 TDs) lofting the ball for a streaking Tyler Smith, who went 70 yards to knot the score at 7-7.
After teasing the crowd with a drag race, however, the game developed into the more expected demolition derby.
Buford fumbled the ball away at its own 44 on its second possession but stood tall to force a McEachern punt. The Wolves did not keep the Indians quiet for long, however, and McEachern pulled ahead 10-7 on a 27-yard field goal from Cesar Dominguez at the end of the quarter.
Buford looked to answer with its own 37-yard field goal attempt early in the second quarter but fired wide -- setting the stage for another McEachern score. This time the Indians marched 80 yards, capped by a 25-yard touchdown scamper from Sam Jackson for a 17-7 advantage that held until halftime.
Yet the Wolves weren’t about to go quietly.
The Buford defense forced a McEachern punt to start the third quarter, and Anthony Grant ripped off 44-yard run to move the Wolves into Indians territory. Jake Simpson then took a swing pass 28 yards to set up a four-yard touchdown run from Martin Mangram, hauling the visitors within 17-14.
McEachern again found a response, however, Hockman keeping a drive alive with two quarterback keepers before Jackson cut his way into the end zone on a 22-yard run for a 24-14 Indians advantage. Then McEachern went to work through the air, striking for a 30-yard and a 64-yard touchdown pass to cement the victory.
Buford will take a week off before taking on White County on Sept. 18
SCORING SUMMARY
McEACHERN....10....7....7...13 -- 37
BUFORD.............7....0....7....0 -- 14
First Quarter
BHS -- Bussoletti 61 pass from Marsh (Burgos kick) 7-0
MHS -- Smith 70 pass from Hockman (Dominguez kick) 7-7
MHS -- Dominguez 27 field goal, 7-10
Second Quarter
MHS -- Jackson 27 run (Dominguez kick) 7-17
Third Quarter
BHS -- Mangram 4 run (Burgos kick) 14-17
MHS -- Jackson 22 run (Dominguez kick) 14-24
Fourth Quarter
MHS -- Windham 30 pass from Hockman (Dominguez kick) 14-31
MHS -- Simmons 64 pass from Hockman (kick failed) 14-37
