Buford vs. Mill Creek: Georgia commit Dylan Raiola's biggest challenge has arrived

Heavyweight showdown between the Georgia high school football powers has massive regional, state and national implications

BUFORD, GEORGIA – Five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola, considered the country’s top quarterback prospect as well as the No. 1 player in the nation by many, has had a relatively stress free season at the helm of the Buford offense, his first with the Wolves.

Thus far Raiola has passed for 1,350-yards and 14 touchdowns in six games, many blowout victories in which the University of Georgia commit has spent the majority of the second half observing from the sidelines.

Buford (6-0), ranked No. 4 in the latest SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25, is not only inline for region and state titles in Georgia, but has an opportunity to claim a national championship as well if it can run the table in 2023. That said, a big obstacle stands in the way this Friday when it travels to Mill Creek (7:00 p.m.) for a nationally televised game on ESPN2.

The Hawks are also 6-0 and nationally ranked, No. 12 this week, with the same goals as the Wolves. Both teams are 1-0 in Georgia’s Class 7A, Region 8 and the winner of this contest will likely earn the top seed heading into the playoffs. Buford won its regular season meetings with the Hawks in each of the last two years, but Mill Creek knocked off the Wolves in the 2022 state championship game.

Mill Creek junior quarterback Shane Throgmartin has completed 76% of his passes in 2023, throwing for 878 yards and 13 touchdowns. Also igniting the Hawks’ offense is senior running back Cameron Robinson, who has bolted for 945 yards in six games (157.5 average) and scored 12 TDs. Junior tailback Daniel Smith has also offered a nice change of pace for Mill Creek, rushing for 8-yards per carry while amassing 313 yards and five touchdowns.

If Mill Creek hopes to pull the upset, it will have to navigate past a loaded Buford defense that features Florida State commit KJ Bolden, a 5-star safety rated as the nation’s top player at his position, and defensive lineman Eddrick Houston, another 5-Star committed to Ohio State.

Bolden, who also has 220-yards and six touchdowns receiving, has 20 tackles and two interceptions this season. Houston, who has only played in five games has three tackles for loss, three sacks and three hurries as a pass rusher.

Chasing Raiola for Mill Creek will be 6-foot-5, 242-pound senior edge rusher KingJoseph Edwards. The four-star recruit is rated No. 15 at his position nationally and he is rated 30th overall in Georgia’s 2024 class. He is uncommitted.