The Winfield-Mount Union Wolves scored a huge win in their first football game of the 2023 season. WMU, ranked fourth in the preseason 8-man state poll, went on the road and defeated third-ranked Central City 44-38 Friday night.

After both teams got a touchdown and a two-point conversion in the first quarter, the offenses went wild in the second period, with the Wolves finding a way to take a 28-24 lead into halftime. Winfield-Mount Union matched Central City’s two touchdowns in the second half, with a pair of successful two-point tries adding some cushion to the final margin.

WMU rode to victory on the shoulders of senior star Cam Buffington. On offense, Buffington ran the ball 18 times for 194 yards and two touchdowns while also catching three passes, all for scores, for 81 yards. On defense, Buffington had a team-high 15-and-a-half tackles and recovered a fumble.

New starting quarterback Jake Edwards also had a big night, completing 11 of 19 pass attempts for 212 yards and rushing for a TD. The Wolves win their season opener for a fourth straight year. Next up for Winfield-Mount Union is a showdown with New London.