5 Shocking Facts About Buford High School Baseball’s 2025 Season And The Appling Dynasty
Buford High School Baseball continues to be one of the most dominant and closely watched programs in the entire state of Georgia, with the Wolves once again proving their mettle during the 2025 season. As of late April 2025, the team has maintained a stellar record, achieving a 12-3 start through the first month of play, a performance that firmly planted them in the statewide rankings and showcased the perennial strength of the program.
The quest for a state championship in 2025 remains the ultimate goal for the Wolves, a program consistently ranked among the Georgia Power 25. This article dives deep into the latest performance updates, the star-studded roster of Division I commits, and the remarkable legacy of Head Coach Bryant Appling, whose tenure has defined an era of "Triple A Excellence" at Buford High School.
Head Coach Bryant Appling: A Biography of Unprecedented Success
The foundation of Buford Baseball's sustained excellence rests firmly on the shoulders of Head Coach Bryant Appling, a man whose coaching career is marked by historic achievements. Appling, originally from Decatur, Georgia, attended Lehigh University before embarking on a coaching journey that would lead him to Buford.
He began his career with two years at Lithonia High School before joining the Buford High School staff, where he spent 15 seasons as a dedicated assistant coach.
The Historic Three-Peat
Coach Appling took over the head coaching position in 2019, and his immediate impact was nothing short of legendary. He became the first coach in GHSA (Georgia High School Association) history to win three consecutive state titles in his first three seasons at the helm. This unprecedented three-peat established a new benchmark for success in Georgia high school athletics.
Bryant Appling Profile & Achievements:
- Hometown: Decatur, Georgia
- College: Lehigh University
- Coaching Tenure at Buford: 19+ years (15 as assistant, starting head coach in 2019)
- Head Coaching Start: 2019
- Historic Achievement: First coach in GHSA history to win three state championships in his first three years as head coach.
- Philosophy: Embraces Buford’s mission of "Triple A Excellence" in Academics, Athletics, and the Arts.
His leadership extends beyond the diamond, as he is also known for being the Head Football Coach at Buford High School, further cementing his status as a pillar of the school's athletic department.
The 2025 Season: Current Standings and The Next Wave of D-I Talent
The 2025 Buford Wolves baseball season has been a testament to the program’s ability to reload and compete at the highest level, even after transitioning to the highly competitive GHSA 7A classification.
2025 Season Update
The Wolves started the 2025 campaign with a dominant run, posting an impressive 12-3 record through the first month. Their strong early-season performance kept them highly ranked in the state, often appearing in the Prep Baseball Report’s Georgia Power 25 rankings.
However, the road through the GHSA playoffs is notoriously difficult. The team’s season recently concluded after a tough battle in the second round of the state playoffs, losing the decisive Game 2 against a strong North Paulding High School team on April 29, 2025. Despite the early exit from the state championship hunt, making a deep run and securing a Region Championship remains the standard for this program.
Key Players and Future Stars (2025 Roster Entities)
Buford High School is a factory for Division I baseball talent, and the 2025 roster is no exception, featuring several high-profile players who are drawing attention from scouts and college programs nationwide.
One of the most notable players is center fielder Cannon Goldin. A senior, Goldin is a major prospect, committed to Oklahoma State, and is recognized for possessing all the tools that professional scouts look for, making him a central figure in the Wolves’ outfield.
The team’s depth is highlighted by other key contributors on the 2024-2025 roster, including:
- Dexter McCleon Jr.
- Lio Garcia
- Carson Reeves
- Harrison Zagrodnik
- Sammy Avant
The program also boasts recent alumni who have gone on to college baseball careers, such as Jayden Clark (OF, 2024, Coppin State commit) and Ashton Kehren (C, 2022, Georgia State commit), showcasing the consistent pipeline of talent from Buford to the next level.
A History of Excellence: Buford Baseball State Championships and Gerald McQuaig Field
The tradition of Buford baseball extends back decades, built on a legacy of championship titles and a commitment to maintaining a premier athletic facility.
The Championship Legacy
While Coach Appling’s three-peat (2019, 2020, 2021—though the 2020 season was cut short, the team was dominant) is the most recent dynasty, the program's history is rich with success. The Buford Wolves have secured multiple GHSA State Championships throughout their history, cementing their status as a Georgia baseball powerhouse.
Buford High School Baseball State Titles:
- 1977
- 2011
- 2015
- And the historic three-peat under Coach Appling (2019, 2020, 2021 - the three-peat is often cited for his first three seasons as head coach).
The team’s last state title was in 2015, making the current quest for a championship an intense focus for the players and coaching staff.
The Home of the Wolves: Gerald McQuaig Field
The Wolves play their home games at the state-of-the-art Gerald McQuaig Field, a facility named in honor of a former BHS baseball coach. This field is more than just a playing surface; it is the center of the Buford baseball community.
The stadium recently underwent a significant renovation, which was celebrated with an Opening Ceremony and ceremonial first pitches. The field’s debut was a memorable event, with Derek Perkins (Class of 1993 and the pitcher for the first-ever win at the field) throwing one of the ceremonial pitches, connecting the program’s past with its bright future.
Gerald McQuaig Field also plays a vital role in community engagement, hosting annual events like Youth Night, where young local baseball and softball players are invited to celebrate the sport with the high school team, fostering the next generation of Wolves.
The Buford High School baseball program, under the leadership of Coach Appling and powered by top-tier talent like Cannon Goldin, is a perennial contender. While the 2025 season ended earlier than the team had hoped, the 12-3 start and the continued development of D-I players confirm that the Wolves remain an elite force in Georgia high school baseball, with their sights already set on dominating the next season and bringing another state title back to Gerald McQuaig Field.
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