MaxPreps Top 25 high school football scores: No. 6 Milton beats No. 21 Buford, 13-10

By Zack Poff Aug 17, 2024, 9:00am

No. 2 Bishop Gorman opens season with 33-7 win over Kahuku.

The first MaxPreps Top 25 matchup of the 2024 high school football season took place on Friday night as No. 6 Milton (Ga.) held on for a 13-10 win over No. 21 Buford (Ga.) after a two hour weather delay. The Eagles went into halftime with a 7-0 lead and four-star quarterback Luke Nickel completed all four passes connecting with Florida State-bound wideout C.J. Wiley for a 17-yard score on the Eagles first drive of the 2nd half.

Class of 2026 standout Bryce Perry-Wright got the Wolves on the scoreboard with a safety late in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 13-2. After a Chris Garland interception, Ethan Ervin punched it in from 11 yards out and Dayton Raiola connected with Sam Harkness on the 2-point conversion to make it 13-10 with just over nine minutes left.

That was the closest Buford would get. 

The Eagles defense held strong down the stretch and up next for last year's AAAAAAA state champs is a road trip to Florida against No. 20 American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) on Aug. 23.



No. 2 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) welcomed Kahuku (Hawaii) to the mainland and rolled to a 33-7 win to extend its winning streak to 26. The Gaels dominated on both sides of the ball and four-star junior safety Jett Washington had two interceptions. Senior Melvin Spicer IV and junior Maika Eugenio split time at quarterback and combined for four touchdowns. Up next for the Gaels is No. 11 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) on Aug. 24.

Julian Lewis and No. 12 Carrollton (Ga.) beat Woodward Academy (College Park, Ga.) 24-14 on ESPN2. The four-star USC commit completed 9 of 15 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns. The Trojans used a well-balanced attack on offense and the defense put pressure on Landon Walker all night.

No. 17 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) made the trip to the Aloha State and cruised to a 30-7 win over Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii) in its season opener. The Trailblazers defense was flying around and junior defensive back Madden Riordan had three interceptions.

Four-star junior quarterback Helamen Casuga made his Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) debut and led the No. 18 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 to a 70-42 win over American Fork (Utah). Casuga completed 18 of 20 passes for 482 yards and six touchdowns. Senior running back Bryton Brady added 14 carries for 281 yards and three scores. Up next for the Chargers is No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) on Aug. 22.

MaxPreps Top 25 National Scoreboard

Season opener: Aug. 22 vs. No. 8 Centennial (Corona)



No. 2 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) vs. Kahuku (Hawaii)
Friday, 7 p.m. (All times local) - Watch live on NFHS Network

Season opener: Aug. 22 at No. 18 Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah)

Season opener: Aug. 24 at No. 9 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Season opener: Aug. 31 vs. Creekside (Fairburn, Ga.)

No. 6 Milton (Ga.) vs. No. 21 Buford (Ga.)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. - Watch live on NFHS Network

Season opener: Sept. 6 at South Oak Cliff (Dallas)

Season opener: Aug. 22 at No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana)



Season opener: Aug. 24 vs. No. 4 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)

Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. South Oak Cliff (Dallas)

Season opener: Aug. 24 vs. No. 2 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

No. 12 Carrollton (Ga.) at Woodward Academy (College Park)
Friday, 8 p.m. - ESPN2

Season opener: Aug. 23 vs. Titusville

Season opener: Aug. 24 at Central Catholic (Pittsburgh)



Season opener: Aug. 23 vs. Lakeland

Season opener: Aug. 31 at St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)

No. 17 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) at Punahou (Hawaii)
Friday, 6 p.m.

No. 18 Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) at American Fork

Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Season opener: Aug. 23 vs. No. 6 Milton (Ga.)



Season opener: Aug. 23 vs. Pinson Valley (Pinson)

Season opener: Aug. 23 at Clearwater Central Catholic (Clearwater)

Season opener: Aug. 23 at Serra (Gardena)

Season opener: Aug. 23 vs. Long Beach Poly