Here are our top 10 performers from the 2025 Georgia high school football state championships.
Top Overall Performances
Athlete Tyriq “Ty Boogie” Green was Buford’s go-to player during the 2025 regular season, and he stepped up at the most important time in the Wolves’ most important game. His 82-yard touchdown run with just under three minutes remaining in the game against Carrollton broke a 21-21 tie and gave Buford the GHSA Class 6A state championship and a national championship. He had another rushing touchdown earlier in the game, rushing for 184 yards total. He also totaled five tackles on defense in the win over Carrollton.
Hebron Christian senior running back and defensive back Jarvis Mathurin came up big on both sides of the ball to lead the Lions to their second straight Private (Class 1A-3A) state championship. He had a 58-yard rushing touchdown and came up with two interceptions on defense, the last one coming with less than two minutes remaining in the game to clinch the 28-21 win over Calvary Day. He also caught two passes, had two tackles, and broke up a pass in the win.
Top Offensive Performances
Thomas County Central running back Christian “Deuce” Lawrence ended his high school career with back-to-back record-breaking performances, including a school single-game rushing record in the semifinals versus Roswell. In the Class 5A state championship game against Gainesville, he rushed for a state title game record 380 yards and five touchdowns to lead his Central team to victory.
Bowdon quarterback Joshua Hopkins completed 13-of-18 pass attempts for 233 yards passing and four touchdowns, including a fourth-quarter touchdown throw to Berkley Perkins that gave the Red Devils the deciding score and their fourth straight GHSA Class 1A-Division II state championship. Hopkins also rushed for 101 yards on 19 carries in the win over Lincoln County.
Creekside quarterback Cayden Benson rushed for 133 yards with two touchdowns and completed 9-of-17 passes for 161 yards passing and one touchdown to lead the Seminoles to the GHSA Class 4A state championship with a 42-39 win over Benedictine.
Top Defensive Performances
Thomas County Central safety Kobe Carnage had seven tackles and three big turnovers in the red zone that halted Gainesville’s scoring opportunities at key moments during the game, helping lead the Yellow Jackets to their second state championship in three seasons.
Carver-Columbus defensive back Jamarcus Davis came up with an interception returned 36-yards for a touchdown to stop a Hapeville Charter comeback attempt and seal the victory for the Tigers in a 24-7 win. Davis also had three tackles and a fumble recovery to lead the defensive effort for Carver-Columbus.
Bowdon defensive back Mike Patterson came up with a game- and championship-saving tackle against Lincoln County just outside the goal line to prevent Lincoln County from scoring and preserving the 35-31 lead to give Bowdon its fourth straight state championship.
Creekside linebacker Decari Farley had 12 tackles, including one QB sack and one forced fumble, to help lead the Seminoles to the Class 4A state championship.
Top Special Teams Performances
Buford kicker and punter Andrew Ivanciuc was a repeat ITG Next top performer during the regular season, and that consistency in the state championship earned the standout senior yet another spot in our final list of top 10 performers. Ivanciuc connected on both of his field goal attempts from 39 yards and 44 yards, successfully converted both extra point attempts, and averaged just over 47 yards per kick on four punts in the Wolves’ 28-21 win over Carrollton in the GHSA Class 6A state championship game.
Congratulations to all of the ITG Next Georgia top performers from the 2025 GHSA football state championships.
