ATLANTA -- The Rome Wolves (13-2) knocked off one of the most dominant teams in the state to win its first title game in any sport.
The Wolves, led by head coach John Reid, were in their first state championship appearance in the program's history since it was part of a school merger in 1992.
Rome's dual-threat sophomore quarterback Knox Kadum bounced back from throwing two interceptions in the first half, both picked-off by Chee Anyanu, to run for 127 yards and two touchdown to lead Rome to a 16-7 win at the Georgia Dome on Friday, winning the 5A title.
Kadum had a 18-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-1 on a read-option that fooled the defense as they all went after the running back instead of Kadum, who secured the victory. The extra point was missed.
Buford looked poised to dominate early after Anthony Grant returned the opening kickoff 95 yards and was tackled at the 1-yard-line. T.D. Roof, son of Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Ted Roof and brother of Buford quarterback Mic Roof, scored from the 1 to give Buford a lead 25 seconds in the game. They wouldn't score again for the rest of the game.
Emanuel Gonzalez kicked a 24-yard field goal to get Rome on the board. Then, after a 40-yard run down the middle of the field, Kadum ran 28 yards through Buford's defense to take Rome's first lead of the day.
Rome's defense would hold in the second half, holding Buford to just 120 total yards. Twice in the third quarter, Buford got inside Rome's 40-yard-line, only to have to punt the ball away.
With roughly four minutes remaining, Buford started a drive at its own 1-yard-line. The Wolves came up about an inch short on a third-and-1, and Buford was pushed back on its fourth down conversion. Rome got the ball back, leading to Kadum's second touchdown.
.@WolvesGameday could win because @buford_football was this short on third down. #Team11 https://t.co/P3EiT28ZXq pic.twitter.com/bvSsTbHLKN
— 11Alive Sports (@11AliveSports) December 10, 2016
Buford, led by long-time head coach Jess Simpson, was in its 10-consecutive state championship game, and the Wolves have won 11 state titles. Buford lost in the 4A state championship last year 10-0 to Cartersville, who is playing in the 4A championship this year.
Rome entered its first state championship game on an 11-game winning streak.
