Class 6A playoffs: Carrollton shuts out Buford in second game…

BUFORD, Ga. – The last trip to Tom Riden Stadium, home of the Buford Wolves since 1990, proved disappointing as No. 1 Carrollton beat No. 2 Buford 30-17 in the Class 6-A semifinals on Friday night.

Carrollton (14-0) advances to the Class 6-A state championship game Dec. 18 against Grayson, which defeated Douglas County 35-28 in the other semifinal.

Buford has played at Tom Riden Stadium for 35 seasons. The stadium, named for Riden, who coached the Wolves from 1946 to 1960, was home to 13 state championship teams. The Wolves will move into their new stadium across from the high school next season.

In 35 years, Buford lost only 26 games at the stadium and won 240. The last loss was painful, as turnovers and penalties hurt the Wolves in the second half and the Trojans took advantage.

Buford (12-2) led 17-14 at halftime and appeared to take control of the game. The Wolves methodically marched 60 yards on 12 plays with 7:18 left to play. However, Buford quarterback Dayton Raiola was stripped of the ball and Carrollton recovered the fumble on its 20th.

The Trojans rushed 80 yards in six plays to take a 20-17 lead. Kimauri Farmer, who rushed for 114 yards, had the winning drive. He broke loose for a 47-yard run to the Buford 1. From there he scored, and Carrollton had a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

The Wolves prevented Carrollton’s next scoring opportunity when Demarious Nibbe intercepted Julian Lewis’ pass after Bryce Perry-Wright pressured Lewis. Buford couldn’t get a first down and after a short punt out of the end zone, the Trojans took over at the Wolves’ 28.

Farmer’s 11-yard run to the Buford 12 on third down set up his 6-yard touchdown run for a 27-17 lead with 4:41 left.

Buford’s offense was hurt by the loss of running back Justin Baker, who was injured late in the first half and did not play in the final two quarters. Before the injury, he ran for 99 yards on eight carries.

Buford jumped out to a 17-7 lead in the first half. The Wolves took the lead on Tyriq Green’s 13-yard touchdown run with 5:18 to play. Carrollton answered on its next drive as Lewis hit AJ McNeil with a 48-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.

Andrew Ivaniciuc hit a 39-yard field goal and Buford regained the lead, 10-7. The Wolves extended their lead to 17-7 on their next drive. Baker rushed 75 yards in the opening moments of the drive, setting up the Wolves at the Trojans’ 5. Two plays later, Raiola scored from the second.

With the help of three penalties, Carrollton drove 56 yards to cut Buford’s lead. Lewis, who left last week’s game with a throwing hand injury, connected with Peyton Zachary for a 22-yard scoring play. He completed 14 of 18 passes for 193 yards.