ATHENS — The Buford defense once again flexed its muscles, sparking a 16-3 Wolves win over Clarke Central on Friday at Billy Henderson Memorial Stadium.
The Buford defense allowed just one Gladiators' field goal and outscored the Clarke Central offense with a game-sealing pick-6 by Alabama-commit Jake Pope on the final play of the game.
It was a defensive slugfest the entire game. After a scoreless first quarter, CJ Clinkscales broke the tie with a 5-yard run three minutes into the second quarter. It went that way to the half.
Clarke Central finally got on the board with a 33-yard field goal midway through the third quarter, but the Wolves defense clamped down the rest of the way.
Alex Mata appeared to put the game away with a 27-yard field goal with just 16 seconds left for a 10-3 lead. The Gladiators got one last shot, but Pope intercepted a Gladiators pass and went to the house to seal the win.
