The first week of the high school football season is in the books, and even though only a handful of states have kicked off there were some massive performances.
Here’s a look at the risers and fallers from the first week of high school football action.
STOCK UP
ATH Casey Barner, McEachern (Georgia); Uncommitted (2028)
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound athlete is rated the nation’s No. 12 overall prospect and No. 1 safety in the class of 2028.
So, it should come as no surprise that he delivered a masterful performance to open his sophomore campaign.
But he gave arguably the nation’s best showing last week, accumulating 341 all-purpose yards, highlighted by a 98-yard kickoff return touchdowns, a 40-yard receiving score and a 68-yard touchdown run on a fake punt.
McEachern answers right back. Casey Barner takes this kickoff all the way for a score. https://t.co/pxLVuZFX06 pic.twitter.com/WdYNWiGzbs
— Harrison Reno (@HarrisonReno) August 16, 2025
He also had a 95-yard punt return score called back via penalty.
To say it was a standout performance is an understatement.
It was truly jaw-dropping stuff.
EDGE Jake Kreul, IMG Academy (Florida); Committed to Oklahoma (2026)
Last season, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive end, rated a top-10 pass-rusher nationally, delivered just six sacks, leaving plenty of room for improvement.
After a stellar camp circuit in the spring and summer – as well as a commitment to the Sooners – expectations were sky-high for Kreul once the pads came on.
He didn’t disappoint.
Kreul registered four sacks in a 41-7 win over The First Academy, highlighted by a series in which he registered three consecutive sacks.
Jake Kreul just registered three sacks in a row to end TFA’s third drive. Here was the 4th down stop for the Oklahoma pledge https://t.co/2AXM6SkJhQ pic.twitter.com/ULRhK2iHYd
— John Garcia, Jr. (@JohnGarcia_Jr) August 15, 2025
In other words, production is quickly matching what we saw all offseason.
Kreul is a rising star.
QB Dereon Coleman, Jones (Florida); Committed to Miami (2026)
Jones defeated Sanford 42-0 in the Legacy Classic, led by a stellar performance from the Hurricanes quarterback commit.
Coleman racked up nearly 400 yards in the first half alone of the victory.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound signal-caller did it with his arm and his legs, and showed his intelligence as a runner by his willingness to slide rather than take big hits.
Last 1st game for 4⭐️ 2026 @CanesFootball QB Trainee COMMIT: @DereonColemanQB at @JonesHSFootball, accounting for nearly 400 yards of offense & a beautiful 65 yard Touchdown (All in 1 Half of play) in a 42-0 BLOWOUT WIN over 7A Powerhouse, Sanford Seminole 🐅#BTruQBTraining 🔘… pic.twitter.com/AldUsv01n0
— Baylin Trujillo (@baylintrujillo) August 17, 2025
While Coleman is a known commodity, he remains a three-star prospect on 247Sports.
If he continues to play like he did in Game 1, that is certain to change in a hurry.
Buford Wolves (Georgia)
No. 12 Buford squared off against No. 14 Milton in a battle of top-25 teams nationally.
That can be a very difficult way to start the season, particularly when the nerves of a nationally-televised game hit young athletes.
But the Wolves were more than up to the task, picking up a 20-13 win with a defense that made the slim margin look larger than that in the second half.
The victory snapped Milton’s 25-game winning streak and gave Buford a strong argument to be considered a top-10 program nationally the rest of the way.
STOCK DOWN
Milton Eagles (Georgia)
The winner of Buford-Milton would have a strong case to be a top-10 team nationally, while the loser had to worry about dropping out of the top-25 altogether.
Unfortunately, there has to be a winner and a loser in these matchups, and it was Milton would came out 0-1 in a nationally-televised game that acted as high school football’s big national opener.
Milton’s offense struggled to find any rhythm against Buford’s stingy defense, but there’s hope.
Buford is a tough starting act, but Milton’s schedule won’t provide that kind of challenge every week.
Next up? A chance to begin a new win streak against The First Academy (Florida).
