ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – In a matchup featuring star-studded lineups and some of Georgia’s top talent, all eyes in the state will be on Tiger Stadium Friday night when the No. 7 Buford Wolves and No. 1 Douglas County Tigers face off for this week’s “Ride for the GHSA State Title: Game of the Week” presented by GeorgiaContructionCareers.com, a showdown between the top 10 programs in Class 6A.
The game will be broadcast live on the Peachtree Sports Network beginning at 8 p.m. and digitally on Atlanta News First and the National Federation High School Network.
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The two powerhouse programs have faced each other only once before, when Douglas County traveled to Buford for the first round of the GHSA 6A state playoffs in 2020, where the Wolves defeated the Tigers 48-0 in Buford.
Both programs won against talented programs last week. Buford went on the road and defeated No. 9 Roswell 52-17, while Douglas County hosted No. 3 Langston Hughes and earned a hard-fought 21-14 victory.
While the Tigers are undefeated heading into this matchup, the Buford Wolves have a blemish on their record: They lost their opening game to Milton, one of the best teams in the country, 13-10 in a back-and-forth game that was interrupted by a two-hour rain delay.
They have already played a number of games this season and this highly anticipated matchup between some of the state’s top teams is a matchup of quality teams that should make for an exciting matchup with many eyes on Tiger Stadium.
“The trenches on both sides are the key to the game,” Douglas County head coach Johnny White said. “Their D-line and linebackers are big, physical and fast, a lot of 4-star players up there, their offensive line is huge and we have to try to maintain that.”
Buford head coach Bryant Appling is entering his sixth year at Buford and has made his mark on the Wolves football program since his arrival in 2019. In his six years with the program, Appling’s Wolves have lost just seven games, including this year’s game against Milton. In his first three seasons, Appling and the Wolves won back-to-back state championships, giving Buford a total of 14 state championships in the history of its football team.
The Wolves’ roster is loaded with some of the top talent in the state, with 10 players already signed with power conference schools and 36 players holding college football offers. It’s hard to overlook the talent at the top, as the team has nine 4-star players from all different recruiting classes.
Buford’s defensive unit is loaded with talent all over the field, from the front seven to the linebackers and the secondary. There aren’t many more talented units in Georgia high school football. Jadon Perlotte, who committed to Southern Cal and is a member of the Mr. Georgia Football Watchlist, is at the top of scout lists with his tireless effort to get the ball and make plays for the Wolves.
In addition to Perlotte, Buford’s linebackers of Colorado-committed Mantrez Walker, Kansas-committed Kenyon Rivera and South Carolina-committed AJ Holloway are also a force to be reckoned with. The four have combined for over 40 tackles through the first three weeks. Holloway leads the team with 16 total tackles.
While the defense is filled with older players ready to play at the next level, the younger players on Buford’s defense have made a name for themselves early in the season.
Four-star junior defensive end Bryce Perry-Wright and defensive lineman James Morrow have combined for 11 quarterback pressures and 16 tackles, causing havoc on opposing offensive lines and making it difficult for offenses to move the chains. Both Class of 2026 products from Buford have received a wealth of college offers, and both commitments are pending.
Buford’s offense is led by quarterback Dayton Raiola, the younger brother of Nebraska starting quarterback Dylan Raiola. Raiola is entering his first season as a starter in his second season of high school football. Raiola leads a Buford offense that averages just over 30 points per game while rushing for 416 yards and three touchdowns to start the season.
“He’s getting better every day,” Appling said. “I think as a first-time starter, you’re not perfect and you don’t do everything right. As a coach, you want to see the kids improve from week one to week three or four, and I’m proud of all my players, but certainly the quarterback.”
The young quarterback has received great support from experienced players on the roster, such as the running back duo of 4-star Tennessee player Justin Baker and 3-star FAU player Ethan Ervin, who provide a reliable running game that Raiola can rely on. The duo has combined for 370 yards on the ground and four touchdowns for the Wolves.
While a good running game with a young starting quarterback is important, the offensive line’s pass catchers are just as highly valued as any other position on the roster. On the outside, Jordan Allen, the 3-star prospect from Louisville, has been crucial for Buford. He has already made double-digit pass catches this season with 154 yards and a touchdown, averaging over 15 yards per catch. Hayden Bradley, the 3-star tight end from Ole Miss, is another hot name to watch and will look to contribute more to the offense against Douglas County.
White is entering his eighth season with the Douglas County football program and has perhaps his most talented roster yet. The Tigers were eliminated in the semifinals last year after losing 24-21 at home to Woodward Academy. The Tigers have their sights set on making it to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to win their first state championship since 1964.
Like its opponent, Douglas County’s roster is loaded with players who will play at the next level on both sides of the ball. According to On3.com, the Tigers have 16 players with college offers, including four players who are ranked in the top 40 players in their recruiting classes on recruiting sites.
Douglas County’s receiver corps might be the most talented position in the state with three highly-touted players who would start at any other program. USC-committed 3-star prospect James Johnson recently joined the Trojans and has been in top form for the Tigers so far this season. Johnson’s ability to get into the open field and gain yards after the catch poses a major threat to secondaries across the state as he is a “do-it-all” player for the Tigers.
With attention focused on Johnson, defensive backs can’t forget the 4-star wideout pair of Devin Carter and Aaron Gregory. Both Gregory and Carter have received offers from every major college football program and both bring their own special skills to the offense. Gregory’s 6-foot-2 frame poses a threat to secondaries all over the field with his ability to overwhelm defenses. Gregory’s size combined with Carter and Johnson’s blazing speed and ability to run after the catch create the most polarizing core of receivers in Georgia high school football in recent memory.
Because junior quarterback DJ Bordeaux has tremendous talent at the receiver position, it’s easier for him to get the ball to his playmakers. Bordeaux has led an explosive Tigers offense this season, averaging nearly 32 points per game. Up front, sophomore offensive lineman Joshua Sam-Epelle has helped Bordeaux hold the line from his tackle position with his 6-foot-8, 300-pound frame.
On defense, the Tigers are led by Jordan Carter, a junior 4-star edge rusher who has multiple Power 4 offers and still has a year of high school football left. The junior has totaled 21 tackles with four for losses and five sacks through the Tigers’ first four games. Carter leads an impressive Douglas County defense against a high-powered Buford offense. In addition to Carter, senior defensive lineman Jaylen Ray has made a name for himself so far this season, totaling 25 tackles, four tackles for losses and four sacks, forming a productive pass-rushing duo with Carter.
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