The high school football season in Georgia kicks off in less than 10 days with 208 games scheduled for the weekend of Aug. 18-20. After capping a 14-1 season with a 21-20 state title win over
Langston Hughes (Fairburn) in the Class AAAAAA state championship game last fall,
Buford headlines our look at this year's contenders in the preseason MaxPreps Top 25.
Just like its two previous state title wins, Buford's triumph over the Panthers was razor thin. Winners of three Georgia High School Association titles in a row, the Wolves knocked off
Warner Robins 17-14 in the Class AAAAA state championship game in 2019 and upended
Lee County (Leesburg) 34-31 in the Class AAAAAA title contest in 2020.
Last year, Langston Hughes kicker Alan Hernandez came up short on his first field goal attempt of the year as time ran out in the championship contest to allow Buford head coach Bryant Appling and the Wolves to escape.
With plenty of talent returning and a lot of history, Buford is ready for another deep postseason run this fall. Alabama commit and 247Sports five-star running back
Justice Haynes transferred in from Blessed Trinity hoping to add to his 5,873 career rushing yards and help the Wolves capture their 13th state title since 2001.
Three-star offensive tackle
Paul Mubenga returns to make life easier for Haynes and signal caller Dylan Wittke, who takes over for the graduated Ashton Daniels. Buford opens the season against Alabama three-time defending Class 7A state champion Thompson August 19.
Eleven schools from the state of Georgia found their way into Zack Poff's Top 100 highlighted by Buford at No. 11.
Grayson (No. 22),
Mill Creek (No. 26) and Langston Hughes (No. 39) also made the top 50.
Read on for a complete look at Georgia's preseason Top 25 for 2022.
Buford won its first state title in 1978 and celebrated its 14th last December.
Photo: Cecil Copeland
1.
Buford, 14-1 record in 2021
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