BOGART — North Oconee didn’t leave Buford with many chances on Friday, but the Wolves took advantage of the few shots they had.

Buford put away a pair of long field goals and capitalized on North Oconee turnover for a touchdown to build a 13-0 lead in the second quarter, and held on to win by that score in a second-round Class AAA state playoff game.

The Wolves (9-3) advance to face Carver-Columbus, a winner over Rockmart, in next week’s third round.

North Oconee (10-2) has lost in the second round of the playoffs in four of the last five seasons.

North Oconee’s loss came despite exceptional defensive play. Buford’s 13 points was the fewest it scored since being shut out 14-0 by Carver-Columbus in September 2010.

“We just came together defensively,” North Oconee defensive back and running back Zantravious Shields said.

"Everything was clicking tonight. We knew we could stop them, and we did. And our coaches were just making the right calls.”

A tense start saw North Oconee go wide on a 52-yard field-goal attempt and then stop Buford on a fourth-and 3 at the Titans’ 12. Both teams were forced into quick punts that kept the game scoreless until late in the second quarter.

North Oconee’s defense stopped Buford just outside of the Titans’ 30-yard line, and Matthew Bonadies broke the stalemate with a 47-yard field goal that made it 3-0.

The Wolves then recovered a fumble on the first play of North Oconee’s next possession. Four plays later, they reached the end zone on a 20-yard Taylor Mitchell pass to tight end Mikey Bart.

Buford buried North Oconee at its own 10 on the Titans’ next drive with back-to-back sacks, each for a loss of 10 yards, and the Titans had to punt for the third time with less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Mitchell connected with Tre’ Neal for passes of 12 and 3 yards, setting up Bonadies for a 42-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, sending the Wolves into the break with a 13-0 lead.

“We made a habit of doing this the last five years” North Oconee coach Terry Tuley said. “The key thing next year is we’ll have that same ol’ moniker: We’ve got to get out of the stupid second round. In our Titan program, we fully expect to play well every year, and our parents and community work hard to make us a first-class program, and they expect us to win.

“So all things considered, I fully expect us to be right back here in the second round, hopefully winning next year.”