Friday night lights bring together two teams eager for their first win as the Highland Tech Rams (Gastonia, NC) travel to take on the Buford Yellow Jackets (Lancaster, SC) on September 5, 2025, at 7:30 PM. Both squads are 0-1 after tough opening losses, setting the stage for a bounce-back battle between North Carolina and South Carolina programs.
Game Details
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Matchup: Highland Tech (NC) @ Buford (SC)
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Date & Time: 9/5/2025 – 7:30 PM
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Location: Buford High School, Lancaster, SC
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Live Coverage: Follow live scores on MaxPreps
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Highland Tech Rams
The Rams struggled in their opener, falling 50–6, but showed flashes of offensive potential through the air. Ranked #398 in North Carolina and #39 in Class, Highland Tech will need to cut down on defensive lapses and lean on Julien Costner’s passing and Irvin Thompson’s playmaking to generate momentum.
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2025 Record: 0-1
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National Rank: #13,235
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State Rank (NC): #398
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Class Rank: #39
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Key to Win: Establish rhythm in the passing game while tightening coverage to slow Buford’s attack.
Main Squad
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#11 Julien Costner – QB (96.0 passing yards per game)
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#4 Irvin Thompson – WR (118.0 receiving yards per game, 118.0 total yards, 6.0 points per game)
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#6 Eden Barnes – RB (12.0 rushing yards per game)
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#51 Travis Woods – LB (6.0 tackles per game)
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#2 Marcus Hall – DB/WR
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#55 Elijah Price – OL/DL
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#10 Dylan Carter – WR/CB
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#8 Cameron Foster – FS/WR
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#5 Mason Bryant – LB
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#7 Isaiah Brown – DB/RB
Buford Yellow Jackets
The Yellow Jackets also dropped their season opener, losing 53–6, but now return home with hopes of regrouping. Ranked #209 in South Carolina and #32 in Class, Buford has the defensive talent to keep games close but will need to find consistency on offense to secure their first victory.
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2025 Record: 0-1
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National Rank: #11,211
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State Rank (SC): #209
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Class Rank: #32
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Key to Win: Use home-field advantage to energize both sides of the ball and keep defensive pressure high against Highland Tech’s passing game.
Main Squad
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#10 Caleb Simmons – QB
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#2 Jaden Ellis – WR/DB
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#20 Carter Davis – RB
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#23 Michael Long – LB
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#54 Hunter Mason – OL/DL
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#9 Tyler Grant – WR/FS
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#6 Noah Jenkins – RB/LB
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#3 Ryan Scott – WR/CB
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#75 Brandon Lee – OL/DL
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#5 Marcus Johnson – DB/WR
Rankings & Records
| Team | National Rank | State Rank | Class Rank | Overall Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Tech | 13,235 | 398 (NC) | 39 | 0-1 |
| Buford | 11,211 | 209 (SC) | 32 | 0-1 |
Abu Sayem is a sports enthusiast and writer who enjoys sharing stories about high school athletics. He is passionate about celebrating the teamwork, dedication, and spirit of young athletes.
