BUFORD — Billed as one of the premier games in the entire nation Friday night, Buford’s showdown with perennial Florida powerhouse Deerfield Beach lived up to the hype.
However, Buford’s rally from a second half deficit to take a late lead was overshadowed by the Bucks’ own rally in the final minute to escape Tom Riden Stadium with a 19-14 victory.
Buford (2-1) was ranked fourth in Georgia all classifications -- 44th in the nation by MaxPreps -- while Deerfield Beach (2-0) was ranked fourth in Florida all classifications and 30th in the nation by MaxPreps.
The Wolves’ Derrian Brown scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with just 3:01 left in game to give Buford (2-1) a 14-13 lead. But Deerfield (2-0) answered just 1:22 later with a 73-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead 19-14 with 1:49 left.
The Wolves were not able to answer back, however, suffering their first home loss since a 33-27 loss to South Pointe (S.C.) last season.
Buford had a chance to jump out to the early lead driving deep into Bucks territory but an Aaron McLaughlin pass into the end zone was intercepted with 3:13 left in first quarter.
After exchanging punts, a long drive by Deerfield Beach netted the game's first score for a 7-0 lead in the second quarter. The Wolves responded getting a long run by Elijah Turner, and then Brown scored his first touchdown of the contest to tie the game with 1:19 left in the half. It went to the third quarter tied at 7-7.
A long Deerfield touchdown pass gave the Bucks a 13-7 lead in the third quarter after a failed 2-point conversion.
Buford has a bye next week before playing host to Class 7A Newton in two weeks.
