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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 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)

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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) (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

By Mark Bradley

Updated Oct 13, 2026

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Georgia guard Stefanie Ingram (13) during Georgia’s game against Ole Miss at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. (Lucy Wells/UGAAA)

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