ALPHARETTA, GA – In a thrilling matchup between two top high school football programs in Georgia, the Alpharetta Milton Eagles edged out the Buford Wolves with a close score of 13-10 on Saturday night. The game showcased a fierce battle, especially as Buford managed to rally from a 13-0 deficit late in the game.
Milton took control early, scoring their first touchdown and keeping the Wolves on the defensive. Buford struggled offensively in the first half, led by first-year quarterback Dayton Raiola, as they failed to find a rhythm. Despite the offensive struggles, the Wolves’ defense shone brightly, limiting Milton’s high-flying offense to just 7 points in the first half. The Eagles accumulated only 109 yards of offense, with most of that yardage coming on their opening drive.
The game was interrupted by a lengthy storm that delayed the start of the second half for nearly two hours, causing both teams to await resumption with impatience. Once play resumed, Milton quickly increased their lead as Luke Nickel, a Miami four-star quarterback commit, connected with CJ Wiley, a Florida State commit, for a touchdown, putting the Eagles ahead by two scores.
Buford’s defense kept them in the game by scoring a safety midway through the third quarter and adding a touchdown early in the fourth, narrowing the gap to just three points. In the final minutes, the Wolves had a chance to drive for a potential win, but Milton’s defense stood tall, securing the victory.
This win for the Eagles not only provided a massive boost for their program but also allowed them to claim the No. 1 ranking in the state according to the On3 Massey Ratings, which analyze teams based on game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.
Here’s how other top schools fared in the Peach State:
- No. 1 Colquitt County: 45-28 WIN vs. Salt Lake City West (Utah)
- No. 2 Buford: 13-10 LOSS at No. 8 Milton
- No. 3 Mill Creek: 56-26 WIN at Lambert
- No. 4 Walton: 30-21 WIN vs. Brookwood
- No. 5 Carrollton: 24-14 WIN at Woodward Academy
- No. 6 Grayson: 20-19 LOSS vs. No. 25 Collins Hill
- No. 7 Thomas County Central: 54-7 WIN vs. Monroe
- No. 8 Milton: 13-10 WIN vs. Buford
- No. 10 Coffee: 59-6 WIN at Bainbridge
- No. 11 Langston Hughes: 52-21 WIN vs. No. 12 Westlake
- No. 13 Lee County: 45-28 WIN vs. Warner Robins
- No. 14 Ware County: 40-10 WIN at Appling County
- No. 15 Camden County: 51-41 WIN at Brunswick
- No. 16 Benedictine: 41-17 LOSS vs. Rabun Gap Nacoochee
- No. 17 Valdosta: 64-19 WIN vs. Tucker
- No. 18 Marist: 23-7 WIN vs. Jefferson
- No. 19 Roswell: 21-6 WIN at Peachtree Ridge
- No. 20 North Cobb: 49-21 WIN at Archer
- No. 22 Cedar Grove: 42-7 LOSS vs. No. 23 Douglas County
- No. 24 Newton: 26-15 LOSS at Eastside
