BUFORD, Ga. — Buford Football takes its first road trip of the 2026 season Friday when the Wolves travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, for a non-region matchup with Mallard Creek.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Mallard Creek High School.
Buford enters the contest 1-0 after opening its season with a 39-19 victory over Gainesville on Aug. 22 at Phillip Beard Stadium. The win extended the Wolves' winning streak to 16 games dating back to the beginning of their undefeated 2025 state and national championship season.
The Wolves will face a Mallard Creek team that has already won twice away from home this season. The Mavericks improved to 2-0 with a 31-30 victory over Maury in Norfolk, Virginia, on Aug. 28.
Mallard Creek trailed 24-7 at halftime before outscoring Maury 24-6 over the final two quarters. The Mavericks scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback and preserve their undefeated start.
Friday's game will be the third meeting between Buford and Mallard Creek since 2022 and the second played in Charlotte.
The series began on Aug. 26, 2022, when Buford earned a 56-7 home victory over the Mavericks. Mallard Creek provided a much different challenge when the teams met again the following season.
In the 2023 matchup in Charlotte, the Mavericks carried a 7-0 lead into halftime after striking for an 81-yard touchdown pass in the opening quarter. Buford responded in the second half when Dylan Raiola connected with KJ Bolden for a 41-yard touchdown.
Mario Ventura's 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter supplied the deciding points in the Wolves' 10-7 victory. Buford's defense protected the lead late with an interception inside the final two minutes.
The two previous meetings have shown the range of challenges Mallard Creek can present. Buford controlled the inaugural matchup, but the Mavericks turned the return game into a defensive battle that remained unsettled until the closing minutes.
Buford has outscored Mallard Creek 66-14 across the two meetings and will look to remain unbeaten in the series Friday night.
GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: Buford at Mallard Creek
Date: Friday, Sept. 4
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Mallard Creek High School
City: Charlotte, North Carolina
Game type: Non-region
TEAM RECORDS
Buford: 1-0
Mallard Creek: 2-0
SERIES HISTORY
2022: Buford 56, Mallard Creek 7 — Buford
2023: Buford 10, Mallard Creek 7 — Charlotte
Series: Buford leads 2-0
Combined score: Buford 66, Mallard Creek 14
LAST TIME OUT
Buford defeated Gainesville 39-19 on Aug. 22.
Mallard Creek defeated Maury 31-30 on Aug. 28.
