The Buford Wolves will visit Valdosta on Friday in a battle of two high school football programs that are among the most identified in the state and in the country for their traditions of winning football. Chances are, you can be anywhere in the United States with a Buford High School football or Valdosta High School football pullover on, and someone will recognize either school.
History of the Programs
Valdosta holds the title of winningest high school football program in America. That success has been a long and steady ride that spans for over a century, beginning in 1913 and really taking shape in the early ‘60s under the leadership of legendary head coach Wright Bazemore and continuing under his successor, Nick Hyder. The combination of Bazemore and Hyder began a string of unmatched success that included years of region titles, state championships, and a handful of national championships.
Buford, on the other hand, got a much later start in establishing itself as a winning program, with the majority of its success beginning in the mid-90s under head coach Dexter Wood.
While head coach Ed Cochran led Buford to moderate success from 1973 until 1991, including its first ever state championship in 1978, the program began to really develop a reputation for winning consistently under Wood, who served as the head coach from 1995 to 2005. Under Wood, Buford broke the Georgia high school football state record for most consecutive wins with 47 over a four-year period. Buford won 118 games while losing just 17 with Wood as the head coach from 1995 to 2004.
Jess Simpson was promoted to head football coach in 2004, and he took Buford to even higher heights, leading the program to 10 straight state title games from 2007 to 2016 and winning seven championships.
Current head coach Bryant Appling has led Buford to state titles in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Max Preps named Buford as the state of Georgia’s most dominant high school football program since 2004.
2025 Season So Far
None of what has happened in the past will matter when the two storied programs of Valdosta and Buford meet for the right to play for another state championship. It’s one of the two Class 6A state semifinals matchups, with the other matchup featuring North Gwinnett and Carrollton.
Buford is undefeated with a 13-0 record.
Valdosta is 12-1, with their only loss on the season coming against Colquitt County during the regular season contest between the region foes.
Both Buford and Valdosta won their regions, with the Wolves capturing the Region 8-6A title and the Wildcats winning the Region 1-6A title.
Buford has climbed into the No. 1 spot ITG Next’s latest 2025 Georgia high school football all-classification top 25 rankings, while Valdosta is currently ranked No. 10.
Both teams breezed through the first three rounds of the playoffs to reach the semifinals. Buford defeated Richmond Hill 45-0 in the opening round, followed by a 31-14 win over Newton, then last week’s 30-15 win over Douglas County. Valdosta won its first-round matchup over No. 4 seed Dacula 56-28, then won 49-26 over Brookwood in round two, followed by last week’s 45-41 win over Walton.
Playmakers to Watch
The field at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium will be full of play makers on both sides of the ball in this semifinals matchup. Here’s a look at those top players for both Valdosta and Buford.
Valdosta’s Offense
The Valdosta Wildcats’ squad features three-star athlete Prince Jean, a Kentucky commit who can line up and play anywhere. He is listed as a receiver, although he can return kicks and punts.
Running backs Deron Foster and Marquis Fennell have combined for 50 receiving and rushing touchdowns on the season so far.
Quarterback Tyrieke Wade has thrown for 2,157 yards and 25 touchdowns passing. He has completed 77% of passes (141-of-184), rushed for 419 yards and three TDs, and thrown just two interceptions.
Valdosta’s Defense
Valdosta’s sack leaders are defensive lineman Jevaris Kier with nine sacks; linebacker Zamarian Williams with 8 ½ sacks; and defensive lineman Corey Howard, a Georgia commit, with 7 ½ sacks.
Valdosta’s interception leaders are defensive backs Jalon Copeland with three interceptions and Camron Brown with two interceptions.
Buford’s Offense
Buford features four-star athlete Tyriq “Ty Boogie” Green. Like Valdosta’s Jean, Green can and will line up everywhere, including returning punts and kicks, at receiver, and at running back. Green is an AJC Super 11 player who has 1,436 all-purpose yards, plus 45 tackles and one interception on the season with 14 TDs. He is a Georgia commit.
Running back Dylan McCoy has 114 carries for 826 yards and eight TDs so far this season.
Running back and wide receiver Torre Costin has 641 all-purpose yards.
Quarterback Dayton Raiola has thrown for 1,878 yards and 25 touchdowns on the season. He also has 150 yards rushing with five TDs. He has thrown just four interceptions on the season.
Buford’s Defense
Buford’s sack leaders are Bryce Perry-Wright with six sacks, Dre Quinn with four sacks, and Cameron Simmons with four sacks.
Buford’s interception leaders are defensive backs Silas Nuckles with four interceptions, Brendon Davis with two interceptions, and Braylon Williams with one interception.
This will be Valdosta’s first visit to the Class 6A semifinals since 2020, which was also against Buford. Unlike this upcoming matchup, that 2020 game was played at Buford, and the Wolves rolled to a dominating 45-26 win.
Kickoff for Valdosta versus Buford is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Dec. 5.
