BUFORD — A match-up of southeastern heavyweights came down to one player on Friday night.
The difference was that South Pointe (S.C.) had Derion Kendrick and Buford did not.
Kendrick tipped the scales in the Stallions favor, manufacturing all four South Pointe touchdowns as they pulled out a 33-27 victory at Tom Riden Stadium.
The quarterback rushed for 189 yards and two scores -- and while he completed just 8 of 21 passes, most of them proved important, including two touchdown strikes, as the Wolves (2-1) dropped their first home game on the field since 2012. The last quarterback to get the better of Buford at Tom Riden was current Houtson Texan and former Clemson and Gainesville High standout Deshaun Watson. While Kendrick was a different type of athlete than Watson it was clear why he is judged by some services as the top athlete in South Carolina, utilizing impressive elusiveness to get the job done. Like Watson, however, he will play collegiately for Clemson.
And while Buford battled throughout, using huge special teams plays to grab an early lead and get back into the game, but they could not manufacture a consistent offensive threat, managing 262 yards -- 197 of that rushing.
Anthony Grant rumbled for two touchdowns and 87 yards on 13 carries, while Christian Turner put up 89 yards on 20 carries. But the Stallions never let the Wolves get into top gear.
At the start it appeared Buford was ready to accelerate out of view, as the Wolves defense forced a three-and-out from the South Pointe offense and then pounced on a high punt snap, Mick Reese corraling the ball in the end zone for a 7-0 Buford lead. It was an impressive start for a team that had not played since Aug. 25 due to the hazards of Hurricane Irma in Florida (forcing Buford's opponent from last week International School of Broward to cancel).
But the Stallions' championship pedigree has been the equal of the Wolves in recent seasons and they showed why, jumping back in front on a touchdown pass and then touchdown run from Kendrick, 14-7.
Special teams was there again to prevent a deeper hole for Buford, however, as Jamaal Singleton blocked a 32-yard South Pointe field goal attempt that Buford recovered. Momentum continued to turn when Grant slammed into the end zone from three yards just before halftime to knot the score at 14-14.
The Stallions swung it right back to their favor after the interval, however, picking off a Wolves pass and then scoring on the very next play -- Kendrick connecting with Scott Robinson for a 36-yard touchdown and a 21-14 lead. And yet there was Buford's special teams -- again. The Wolves answered Kendrick's latest score via Austin Turner, who exploded for a 70-yard punt return touchdown. A muffed PAT snap kept Buford behind at 21-20 -- and the visitors extended their advantage to 24-20 on a field goal, but the Wolves kept their ascendancy and jumped ahead 27-24 on another Grant touchdown run.
But again there was Kendrick. The quarterback scored on a 15-yard touchdown run before a late safety provided the final scoreline.
After sitting through two straight Fridays, the Wolves must sit through another bye next week before getting back on the field for good against Clarke Central on Sept. 29.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/9/583521/south-pointe-kendrick-consign-buford-to-hardfought-33-27-loss