ACWORTH — Buford rarely losses to the same opponent twice in a row. It hadn't lost back-to-back season openers in over 30 years.
Despite falling behind 14-0 at halftime, neither of those happened on Friday against North Cobb.
The Class 6A No. 1-ranked Wolves exploded for 28 consecutive points to take the lead and then held on for a 35-37 win over the Class 7A third-ranked Warriors on the road in the Corky Kell Classic.
North Cobb (0-1) jumped out to a 14-0 advantage behind quarterback Malachi Singleton. Singleton connected with Marquis Groves-Killebrew for an 80-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive of the game-opening drive and later added a 5-yard touchdown run in the second quarter for the shocking halftime lead.
The Buford offense had been stymied most of the first half. It found its groove in the second half and got help from the defense.
Ashton Daniels found Malik Spencer on a 64-yard touchdown pass to pull within 14-7 and the defense forced a North Cobb fumble on its next drive. The Wolves wasted little time as C.J. Clinkscales sprinted past the Warriors' defense for a 66-yard score to tie the game.
After a botched punt, Buford took the lead on a 25-yard TD pass from Dylan Wittke to Tobi Olawole. The defense struck again forcing a North Cobb fumble and the Wolves' Victor Venn capped the short drive with a 7-yard touchdown run.
North Cobb cut the lead to 28-21 midway through the fourth but Buford added another score when Daniels and Olawole teamed up for a 15-yard scoring pass for a 35-21 lead. The Warriors scored with 15 seconds left to make it closer.
