Buford football holds ceremony to celebrate its consensus national championship

Varsity Photos

Buford football holds ceremony to celebrate its consensus national championship

Buford High School recognized its 2025 state championship team, which was named a consensus national champion, on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.

Buford head football coach Bryant Appling, left, receives the national championship trophy from a representative with MaxPreps as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head football coach Bryant Appling, center, receives the national championship trophy from representatives with ESPN as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head football coach Bryant Appling, right, receives the national championship trophy from a representative with High School Football America as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford football players pose for a team photograph behind the trophies as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford football players and coaches pose for a team photograph behind the trophies as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford’s Tyriq Green speaks to members of the media as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford director of athletic facilities Tony Wolfe speaks as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford supporters cheer as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head football coach Bryant Appling speaks as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head football coach Bryant Appling speaks as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head football coach Bryant Appling speaks as the football team sits behind him as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena , Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head football coach Bryant Appling speaks as the football team sits behind him as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford head football coach Bryant Appling speaks as the football team sits behind him as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford Athletic Director Dexter Wood yells, “Go Buford,” after he spoke as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena , Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford athletic director Dexter Wood speaks as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Buford football players react during a replay of their state championship game as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

1/17

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

Buford head football coach Bryant Appling, left, receives the national championship trophy from a representative with MaxPreps as Buford celebrates winning the high school football national championship at an event at Buford Arena, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Buford, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Today's Gallery Headlines

aajc 011626 buford nc ceremony

Buford football holds ceremony to celebrate its consensus national championship

1h ago

0012406527

PHOTOS: Julian Bond — denied but not defeated

Macon High School Restaurant

PHOTOS: The Compass Rose Cafe serves up quality food with heaping side dishes of life skills

Centennial Yards tour

PHOTOS: Centennial Yards transformation continues

More Galleries

New Falcons president of football Matt Ryan

PHOTOS: Matt Ryan introduced as Falcons President of Football

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr (right) confers with state Sen. RaShaun Kemp, D-Atlanta, at the Wild Hog supper, the traditional kickoff to the legislative session in Atlanta, on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

PHOTOS: Georgia legislative session kicks off with Wild Hog Supper

People join in a chant on the 17th Street Bridge in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, while protesting the ICE shooting of Renee Good and the U.S. military action in Venezuela. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Atlanta demonstrators join ICE protests across the nation

Pelicans vs Hawks game

PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Pelicans