BUFORD — Two highly-ranked teams. Two high-powered offenses. Two stingy defenses.
In the end, Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.) held off Buford 7-0 at Tom Riden Stadium as the defenses dominated a pair of potent offenses.
The Wolves forced three Lions turnovers while the Lions held Buford to just three first downs and less than 100 total yards of offense. It was the Wolves’ first shutout loss since a 10-0 defeat to Cartersville in the 2015 Class 4A state final at the Georgia Dome.
The only score of the game came on a 63-yard touchdown run from sophomore Davion Gause late in the first quarter.
Buford twice was stopped on fourth down, once on a fake punt attempt in the first quarter. The Wolves managed just one first down in the first half on a 20-yard run by CJ Clinkscales.
Except for the one long touchdown run, the Buford defense was nearly impenetrable. The Wolves forced one fumble and the special teams got a fumble recovery on a punt return in the first half.
But both times the Buford offense was stymied.
Buford’s best chance came in the fourth quarter when Malik Spencer forced the Lions second fumble at the Chaminade 35. But four straight incomplete passes turned it back over the Lions.
The Chaminade defense held Buford to just 89 total yards and just 47 yards rushing, a season-low for the Wolves.
The Lions had 292 yards of offense, with Gause accounting for 191 yards on the ground.
Buford (3-1) will travel to Central Gwinnett next week to open Region 8-6A play.
