2025 GHSA 6A Championship: Buford vs Carrollton

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's showdown for the 2025 state championship — GHSA Class 6A State Championship at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium — delivers a match-up between two historically dominant programs: the Buford Wolves and the Carrollton Trojans. Both teams earned blowout semifinal wins and come in ranked among the national elites. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🐺 Buford Wolves — Strength, Depth &amp; Defensive Dominance</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What makes Buford dangerous isn't just one star — it's the strength, depth, and consistency of their roster. Defensive standouts like [player_tooltip player_id='681152' first='Bryce' last='Perry-Wright'] (senior DE, Texas A&amp;M commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='283918' first='Tyriq' last='Green'] (senior DB, Georgia commit) give the Wolves a foundation of speed, power, and discipline. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense, Buford has shown they can strike both through the air and on the ground. In their semifinal win over Valdosta Wildcats — 39–7 — QB [player_tooltip player_id='739478' first='Dayton' last='Raiola'] threw for 177 yards and a touchdown, while RB [player_tooltip player_id='418495' first='Dylan' last='McCoy'] (NC State commit) churned out 123 rushing yards and a score. That kind of balance makes them hard to predict and even harder to defend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moreover, Buford's defense — historically one of the toughest in the state — has repeatedly shown its ability to suffocate offenses and control games, giving their offense favorable field position and more chances to strike. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">⚔️ Carrollton Trojans — Explosive Offense &amp; Championship Hunger</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carrollton isn't just riding into the title game on reputation — they earned it. In the semis, the Trojans beat North Gwinnett Bulldogs 48–21, showing off a high-powered offense that refuses to be tamed. Junior-level QB rotation — including C.J. Cypher — helped Carrollton fly downfield, while WR [player_tooltip player_id='418493' first='Peyton' last='Zachary'] (UNLV commit) hauled in 172 yards and a touchdown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Add in a bruising ground game — led by RB Cam Wood (Liberty Commit)— and you get a Trojan offense that can strike in multiple ways and explode if Buford isn't careful. Their motivation is also high: Carrollton hasn't won a 6A state title in decades, and this season they've looked determined to end that drought. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🎯 Why Buford Has the Edge — And What Carrollton Must Do to Pull It Off</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>For Buford:</strong> If their defense plays like it has all season — aggressive, disciplined, physical — they can disrupt Carrollton's rhythm. With a balanced offensive attack that mixes runs and timely passes, they don't need to rely on heroics; just steady execution and limiting big plays. Their depth and ability to control tempo could be decisive.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>For Carrollton:</strong> They need to strike early. Long touchdown drives, explosive plays, and a fast tempo could force Buford out of comfort. Protecting the football and avoiding turnovers will be crucial — a single mistake could swing momentum heavily in Buford's favor. If their offense catches fire and sets the pace, this Trojans squad could absolutely shock the Wolves.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🔥 Final Take: Buford is Slight Favorite — But Don't Sleep on Carrollton</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If I had to bet, I'd lean toward Buford — their defense, depth, and offensive balance give them the tools to win even if nothing goes “perfect.” But Carrollton's offense has top-tier explosiveness and the kind of playmakers that can win games in a hurry. This isn't a mismatch — it's a heavyweight fight. If Carrollton hits early and avoids mistakes, this could be a shootout. If Buford controls the trenches and tempo, they could walk away with another championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Either way — this one's going to be must-watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->