High school football rankings: No. 5 Carrollton and No. 10 Buford set for huge MaxPreps Top 25 showdown in Georgia

By Zack Poff Dec 2, 2024, 9:00am

Elsewhere in Peach State, No. 2 Milton set to host No. 25 Lee County in 5A semifinals.

No. 5 in this week's MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings, Carrollton improved to 13-0 over the weekend with a 46-6 win over Hillgrove (Powder Springs) to advance to Georgia's 6A semifinals – but it may have come at a big cost.

The Trojans played the majority of the game without star quarterback Julian Lewis, who left the game with an injury to his throwing hand in the second quarter and did not return. There is no official word on his status for Friday's showdown at No. 10 Buford. Junior quarterback Dylan Bishop filled in and completed 10 of 14 passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns.

Buford has won 12 in a row since a season-opening 13-10 loss against No. 2 Milton. The Wolves outscored their first three postseason opponents 142-23, including a 43-7 win over previously-unbeaten North Gwinnett (Suwanee) last week. 

The Georgia powers have met in the postseason three times since 2016 with Buford winning all three, including the 2019 6A semifinals.
Nebraska commit Dayton Raiola, the younger brother of current Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola, has thrown for 1,797 yards and 19 touchdowns this season for No. 10 Buford. Raiola and the Wolves face No. 5 Carrollton in Georgia's 6A semifinals. (Photo: Matt Rudolph)
Nebraska commit Dayton Raiola, the younger brother of current Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola, has thrown for 1,797 yards and 19 touchdowns this season for No. 10 Buford. Raiola and the Wolves face No. 5 Carrollton in Georgia's 6A semifinals. (Photo: Matt Rudolph)
Elsewhere in the Peach State, Milton won its 23rd game in a row 56-14 over Houston County (Warner Robins) to advance to the 5A semifinals. Up next for the Eagles is No. 25 Lee County (Leesburg), who improved to 13-0 with a 64-0 win over Sprayberry (Marietta).



In California, No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) solidified its spot as the top-ranked team in the MaxPreps Top 25 with a second win over No. 7 St. John Bosco (Bellflower). The rematch was much closer as the Monarchs pulled out a 31-24 win to claim their second straight Southern Section Division 1 title. They close out the season Dec. 14 in the Open Division state championship game against No. 22 De La Salle (Concord).

In Texas, Keelon Russell and Dakorien Moore continued their stellar senior campaigns in a 42-20 win over The Woodlands to advance to the Class 6A Division 1 quarterfinals. Russell completed 22 of 26 passes for 440 yards and six touchdowns while Moore hauled in 12 receptions for 226 yards and four scores. The Panthers face Bridgeland (Cypress) on Saturday at Waco Midway Stadium.

In the same playoff bracket, No. 6 North Shore (Houston) faces No. 20 Atascocita (Humble) on Saturday. The Mustangs won the regular season meeting 27-23 as Kaleb Bailey connected with Quanell Farrahkan Jr. in the final seconds for the go-ahead score. 

North Shore has won nine straight against Atascocita.

No. 4 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and No. 21 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) both won state titles last week.

Bishop Gorman beat Arbor View (Las Vegas) 69-7 to win their fourth consecutive Class 5A Division I state crown and 15th championship since 2007. Junior quarterback Maika Eugenio completed 12 of 15 passes for 274 yards and five touchdowns.



Bergen Catholic won its fourth straight Non-Public A championship, beating Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) 25-7. The Crusaders outscored the Ironmen 16-0 in the fourth quarter thanks to a couple of touchdown runs from sophomore wide receiver Bryan Porter.

MaxPreps Top 25 football rankings

Record: 12-0 | Last week: 1
Last week: Beat St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 31-24
This week: Idle

Record: 13-0 | Last week: 2
Last week: Beat Houston County (Warner Robins) 56-14
This week: Friday vs. No. 25 Lee County (Leesburg)

Record: 12-0 | Last week: 3
Last week: Beat The Woodlands 42-20
This week: Saturday vs. Bridgeland (Cypress)

Record: 11-1 | Last week: 4
Last week: Beat Arbor View (Las Vegas) 69-7
Season complete

Record: 13-0 | Last week: 5
Last week: Beat Hillgrove (Powder Springs) 46-6
This week: Friday at No. 10 Buford



Record: 13-0 | Last week: 6
Last week: Beat Katy 42-28
This week: Saturday vs. No. 20 Atascocita (Humble)

Record: 11-2 | Last week: 7
Last week: Lost 31-24 to Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Season complete

Record: 8-3 | Last week: 8
Season complete

Record: 13-0 | Last week: 9
Last week: Beat Coppell 35-24
This week: Saturday vs. Allen

Record: 12-1 | Last week: 11
Last week: Beat North Gwinnett (Suwanee) 43-7
This week: Friday vs. No. 5 Carrollton

Record: 12-0 | Last week: 10
Season complete



Record: 12-0 | Last week: 12
Last week: Beat Tampa Bay Tech (Tampa) 24-21
This week: Friday vs. Niceville

Record: 8-4 | Last week: 13
Season complete

Record: 11-2 | Last week: 14
Last week: Beat Edison (Miami) 49-6
This week: Friday vs. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville)

Record: 9-3 | Last week: 15
Season complete

Record: 13-1 | Last week: 16
Season complete

Record: 10-1 | Last week: 17
Season complete

Record: 7-2 | Last week: 18
Season complete



Record: 12-1 | Last week: 19
Last week: Beat West Orange (Winter Garden) 55-26
This week: Friday vs. Columbus (Miami)

Record: 12-1 | Last week: 20
Last week: Beat Fulshear 47-42
This week: Saturday vs. No. 6 North Shore (Houston)

Record: 11-1 | Last week: 21
Last week: Beat Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) 25-7
Season complete

Record: 12-0 | Last week: 22
Last week: Idle
This week: Idle

Record: 10-1 | Last week: 23
Season complete

Record: 11-2 | Last week: 24
Last week: Beat Willis 55-35
This week: Saturday vs. Longview

Record: 13-0 | Last week: 25
Last week: Beat Sprayberry (Marietta) 64-0
This week: Friday at No. 2 Milton