January 20, 2025
ATLANTA — Hebron Christian won Wednesday's GHSA private A-3A championship game, routing Prince Avenue Christian 56-28. The game was a rematch of their Nov. 1 meeting, which Prince Avenue won 34-31.
This time, however, with the state title on the line, coach Jonathan Gess's team came out strong and never looked back. Hebron scored on their second possession to take a 7-0 lead, but Prince Avenue answered with an 80-yard run by quarterback Ben Musser.
After that, it was all Hebron as the Lions roared to a 35-7 lead. Led by quarterback Tom Stallworth (172 passing yards, 84 rushing yards, and four touchdowns) and running back Devon Caldwell (180 yards rushing, three touchdowns), Hebron's potent offensive proved to be nearly unstoppable, scoring eight touchdowns while only punting the ball four times.
On the other side of the ball, Hebron's defense, led by Sichan John and Albert Wilham, held Prince Avenue's talented offense to 326 yards. The Wolverines were 2-10 on third down conversions, and 0-3 on fourth down. Apart from Musser's 80-yard run, the Wolverines managed only 81 yards on the ground as Hebron controlled the line of scrimmage.
The Lions were playing in their first state final, while the Wolverines made the trip to their fifth consecutive appearance in the championship.
Gess, in his third year as the Lions’ head coach, says the team’s success this season is a culmination of the hard work that has gone into the two prior seasons. Despite the excitement of winning their semi-final over Fellowship Christian 24-17 on Dec. 6, coach Gess said that Monday it was back to work. “I told the team they can celebrate after Dec. 18, but right now they need to stay locked in. If they relax, they won’t prepare appropriately.”
The Wolverines shut out North Cobb Christian to punch their ticket to the final, which they have won the last two years and three out of the last four. For his seniors, coach Vandagriff said, it will be their 58th game, so they know what to expect and how to prepare. He’s told the younger players on the team to just follow the seniors’ lead.
For both coaches, however, the season and the game is about so much more than football. “It’s a means to preach Jesus to the boys, their families, and the community,” Gess says. “Bringing in Jesus Christ creates unity on the team and creates a culture that is second to none.”
Landon Dowden, lead pastor of Hebron Baptist Church and whose son Adoniram is a sophomore linebacker on the team, says that culture starts with Gess. Dowden recalls that spring practice began with the team attending a service at Hebron, reflecting coach Gess’s desire for the team to worship together. "He wants to promote excellence in football, and he has done that," Dowden said, "and he wants to teach the players what it means to be a man that loves the Lord and be willing to work hard to succeed."
In an interview after the team's semi-final win, coach Gess pointed to Christ. “He wants to give glory to the Lord," Dowden says of Gess."At a time when so many celebrate themselves and their own accomplishments, I’m grateful that he always points to Christ.”
Vandagriff also sees Jesus as central to the identity of his team, and says part of this role is to “help the players understand the hope they have in Jesus. We keep the Lord in the middle of all we do and stay focused on what He does through us.”
Josh Smith, pastor of Prince Avenue Baptist Church, has said of Vandagriff, "I’ve been able to watch Coach Vandagriff not only build an incredible football program, but build incredible young men. Although much of his effectiveness is due to his knowledge and skill, most of it is due to his testimony. The Lord has done an incredible work in his life and his story is one I wish everyone could hear.”
