PHOTOS: Buford defeats Carrollton in Class 6A title game

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PHOTOS: Buford defeats Carrollton in Class 6A title game

Buford and Carrollton battled for the Class 6A state high school football championship on Tuesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Buford head coach Bryant Appling gets dumped with water as players celebrate their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head coach Bryant Appling gets dumped with water by Buford defensive back Joshua Echols (8) and others as they celebrate their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford running back Tyriq Green (1) reacts during the closing seconds of their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head coach Bryant Appling holds the trophy as they pose for a team photograph after their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford players and coaches celebrate with a team photograph after their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford’s Tyriq Green (1) holds the trophy next to Graham Houston, left, and Bryce Perry-Wright after their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford’s Tyriq Green (1) holds the trophy next to Graham Houston, left, Bryce Perry-Wright, second from right, and Dayton Raiola after their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head coach Bryant Appling is interviewed after their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford offensive lineman Graham Houston (75) celebrates their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford quarterback Dayton Raiola (10) celebrates with the trophy after their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford’s Tyriq Green celebrates with the trophy after their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head coach Bryant Appling celebrates with players, Graham Houston (75), Tyriq Green (1), Bryce Perry-Wright (3), Dylan McCoy (7), Dayton Raiola (10) after their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Carrollton’s DA Logan (97) and Jake Davis (45) console each other after their 28-21 loss to Buford in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford running back Tyriq Green, right, celebrates with former Buford player and current Georgia safety KJ Bolden after their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford running back Tyriq Green (1) and quarterback Dayton Raiola (10) celebrate their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head coach Bryant Appling hugs a player as they celebrate their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford defensive lineman Zion Benyard (81) celebrates with Buford defensive back Jaden Davis (11) after Benyard recovered a fumble by Carrollton with during the second half in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. Buford won 28-21. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford quarterback Dayton Raiola (10) is pressured by Carrollton linebacker Kadan Spratling (34) on a pass attempt during the second half in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. Buford won 28-21. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford’s Deion Miller (0) celebrates after recovering a fumble for a touchdown during the second half against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. Buford won 28-21. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head coach Bryant Appling signals touchdown on a replay during the second half against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. Buford won 28-21. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head coach Bryant Appling reacts after a play during the second half against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. Buford won 28-21. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford’s Malikai Speed (13) catches a long pass against Carrollton defensive back Jay Hagan (2) during the second half in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. Buford won 28-21. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford’s Malikai Speed (13) catches a long pass during the second half against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. Buford won 28-21. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Carrollton running back Cameron Wood (0) is tackled by Buford linebacker Deion Miller (0) and Buford athlete Ethan Hauser (14) during the second half in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. Buford won 28-21. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford running back Tyriq Green (1) reacts after his first touchdown during the second half against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. Buford won 28-21. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford running back Tyriq Green (1) runs the ball during the second half against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. Buford won 28-21. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Carrollton running back Cameron Wood (0) runs against Buford defenders Joshua Echols (8, left), Deion Miller, center, and Jameer Cantrell during the first half in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Carrollton running back Cameron Wood (0) makes a catch from Carrollton wide receiver Peyton Zachary (not pictured) during the first half against Buford in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Carrollton running back Cameron Wood (0) celebrates a touchdown by teammate Nick Archer (not pictured) during the first half against Buford in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Carrollton running back Cameron Wood (0) celebrates a touchdown by teammate Nick Archer (not pictured) during the first half against Buford in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Carrollton running back Nick Archer (36) scores a rushing touchdown against Buford linebacker Deion Miller (0) during the first half in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Carrollton wide receiver Peyton Zachary (1) attempts a pass after a catch during the first half against Buford in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Carrollton wide receiver Peyton Zachary (1) is tackled by Buford linebacker Deion Miller (0) after a catch by Zachary during the first half in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Carrollton players run through their banner before their game against Buford in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Buford head coach Bryant Appling gets dumped with water as players celebrate their 28-21 win against Carrollton in the Class 6A GHSA football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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