DACULA, Ga. — Buford's ability to turn a single snap into a scoring opportunity carried the Wolves to a 48-7 victory over Dacula on Friday, keeping them unbeaten and moving them to 2-0 in region play.
D.J. Hunter threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns, freshman Ronald Walker Jr. finished with 125 receiving yards, and Ethan Hauser delivered a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown. Buford produced seven plays of at least 25 yards before halftime, building a 42-7 advantage by the break.
Hunter and Walker did all of their work in the first half. Hunter completed 8 of 13 passes and added 60 yards and a touchdown on four carries. Walker caught four passes, including a 47-yard touchdown, continuing to earn a larger role in the Wolves' offense.
The scoring margin came with room for improvement. Buford committed eight first-half penalties totaling 90 yards, three of them personal fouls. Head coach Bryant Appling credited his players' responses to those setbacks while emphasizing the need for greater consistency and discipline.
Dacula briefly cut into Buford's early 17-0 lead when R.J. Perry connected with Cameron Teague for an 80-yard touchdown. The Falcons threatened again on their following possession but missed a 48-yard field goal.
Ian Chafin then turned a quick slant from Hunter into an 80-yard touchdown. Buford converted the ensuing two-point attempt to extend its lead to 25-7.
Hauser supplied the next decisive play. With Dacula inside the Buford 10-yard line, the linebacker intercepted Perry and returned the ball 95 yards for a touchdown, pushing the margin to 32-7 with five minutes left in the second quarter.
Hunter's touchdown pass to Walker and Evan Griffeth's 27-yard field goal as time expired completed the first-half scoring. Neither Hunter nor Walker played after halftime.
Appling pointed to Walker's daily preparation and steady development as reasons for his expanding opportunities. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound freshman rewarded that confidence with Buford's leading receiving performance Friday.
The Wolves improved to 6-0 as they pursue another championship following their 2025 Class AAAAAA title. Dacula fell to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in region play.
