High school football rankings: Buford finishes No. 1 in final MaxPreps Top 25

Wolves become first team from Georgia to be crowned national champion during MaxPreps era.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
By
Dec 22, 2025, 8:30am
After going 15-0 and winning the Class AAAAAA state championship in Georgia, Buford has been crowned the 2025 MaxPreps National Champions. The Wolves capped their perfect season with a 28-21 win over then-No. 1 Carrollton in the title game.

Buford went 5-0 against top 100 teams en route to becoming the first final No. 1 from Georgia since MaxPreps began recognizing national champions in 2005. 

In the season-ending win over Carrollton at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia-bound Tyriq Green showed his versatility by rushing for 184 yards and two touchdowns while also recording five tackles on defense. With the game tied 21-21 in the final three minutes, Green sprinted 82 yards to the house for the go-ahead and ultimately game-winning score. 

The Buford defense forced three interceptions to help the suburban Atlanta school capture its 15 state title.
For the season, Buford averaged 44.1 points per game while limiting opponents to just 10.5. The defense held 11 opponents to 14 points or less. 

Buford featured 14 players rated as a three-star recruit or higher including Green (Georgia), Bryce Perry-Wright (Texas A&M), Graham Houston (Georgia), Dre Quinn (Ohio State), Nassir McCoy (Ole Miss), Dylan McCoy (North Carolina State), Ben Mubenga (Arkansas) and Dayton Raiola.

2025 BUFORD WOLVES: Schedule | Roster | Stats

The season began with a 20-13 win over two-time defending state state champion Milton as Buford unveiled its new $62 million stadium, opening a stretch against four of the best teams in the state.

The Wolves followed with a 42-14 win over Class AAAA state runner-up Benedictine (Savannah), 65-21 victory over Roswell and 34-26 triumph over Douglas County (Douglasville).

Buford clinched the Region 8-AAAAAA title with a 35-3 win over Mill Creek (Hoschton) to close out the regular season. 

In the opening three round of the playoffs, the Wolves outscored Richmond Hill, Newton (Covington) and Douglas County 106-29.

Buford had to travel nearly 300 miles to face Valdosta on the road in the semifinals. The defense dominated as the Wolves rolled to a 39-7 win.

Past MaxPreps National Champions
2006 — Southlake Carroll
2011 — Don Bosco Prep
2014 — Allen (Texas)
2015 — Katy (Texas)
2021 — Mater Dei
2022 — St. John Bosco
2023 — Bishop Gorman
2024 — Mater Dei

Final MaxPreps Top 25 football rankings

Record: 15-0 | Last week: 5
Class AAAAAA state champions.

Record: 9-1 | Last week: 2

Record: 11-1 | Last week: 3
Open Division state champions.

Record: 11-3 | Last week: 4
Open Division state champions.

Record: 14-1 | Last week: 1
Class AAAAAA state runner-up.

Record: 14-0 | Last week: 6
Division I Select state champions.

Record: 9-0 | Last week: 7

Record: 11-2 | Last week: 8

Record: 8-3 | Last week: 9

Record: 14-1 | Last week: 10
Class 5A state champions.

Record: 15-0 | Last week: NR
Class AAAAA state champions. 

Record: 15-0 | Last week: 11
Class 7A state champions.

Record: 12-1 | Last week: 12

Record: 11-0 | Last week: 13
WCAC champions. 

Record: 13-0 | Last week: 14
Class 6A-I state champions.

Record: 12-0 | Last week: 15
Division II Class AAA state champions.

Record: 10-1 | Last week: 16

Record: 9-2 | Last week: 17

Record: 15-0 | Last week: 18
Class AAAA state champions.

Record: 15-0 | Last week: 20
Class 6A state champions.

Record: 15-1 | Last week: NR
Conference 5A Division 2 state champions.

Record: 14-0 | Last week: 21
Class 6A state champions.

Record: 12-3 | Last week: 23
Last week: Beat King (Houston) 55-27
Conference 6A Division 2 state champions.

Record: 12-1 | Last week: 22
Open Division state champions.

Record: 14-0 | Last week: 24
Class 3A state champions.

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