Hebron Christian wins GHSA private A-3A championship over Prince Avenue, 56-28 Story by HENRY DURAND, Photos by HENRY DURAND, JUSTIN TEFFERTILLER, The Christian Index Thursday, December 19, 2024 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.” --- PHOTOS --- File: 20241219-125202-e21-20.jpg Caption: Hebron quarterback Tom Stallworth and his teammates celebrate winning the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-124930-f13-3.jpg Caption: Hebron's Tom Stallworth rushes for a touchdown despite the defense of Prince Avenue's Gideon Garland during the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-124733-439-6.jpg Caption: Hebron's Devon Caldwell is stopped just short of the goal line by the Prince Avenue defense during the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. Hebron scored on the next play. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-124457-e76-2.jpg Caption: Prince Avenue's Ben Musser (9) scores past the Hebron defense during the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-124122-ea8-5.jpg Caption: Hebron's Albert Wilham tackles Prince Avenue's Baxter Carbine after a 16-yard reception during the GHSA private A-3A final Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. Wilham was called for a personal foul on the play. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-124046-35b-11.jpg Caption: Hebron quarterback Tom Stallworth (16) drops back to pass during the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-123625-d04-8.jpg Caption: Hebron's Jarvis Mathurin outruns Prince Avenue defender Luke Darling for a touchdown during the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-123529-7d0-16.jpg Caption: Prince Avenue head coach Greg Vandagriff encourages his players during a break in the action at the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-123207-6c8-J5.jpg Caption: Hebron's Nick Wade (1) brings down Prince Avenue's Ben Musser during the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Justin Teffertiller) File: 20241219-122850-220-17.jpg Caption: Hebron defenders Gerritt Kemp (0) and Tyson Craig break up a pass intended for Prince Avenue's Brice Williamson (17) during the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-122733-1be-1.jpg Caption: Hebron defenders KJ Thomas (2) and Gerritt Kemp (0) break up a pass intended for Prince Avenue's CJ Dockery during the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-122624-a85-7.jpg Caption: Hebron quarterback Tom Stallworth dives over the line for a touchdown against Prince Avenue during the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-122130-ce7-J3.jpg Caption: Prince Avenue's Brody Tolbert (3) tackles Hebron's Devon Caldwell after a short reception during the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Justin Teffertiller) File: 20241219-122034-7a5-24.jpg Caption: Hebron head coach Jonathan Gess, right, is congratulated by the Prince Avenue coaching staff after his team won the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-121940-e08-4.jpg Caption: Hebron quarterback Tom Stallworth (16) celebrates a touchdown during the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-121627-5a9-13.jpg Caption: Hebron’s Jarvis Mathurin pulls down a pass behind Prince Avenue’s Judd Shoemaker (10) and Brody Tolbert (3) during the GHSA private A-3A final on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-121506-7da-23.jpg Caption: Prince Avenue Christian head coach Greg Vandagriff stands beside his players after the GHSA private A-3A final, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-121330-94f-19.jpg Caption: The Hebron Christian Lions run onto the field for the GHSA private A-3A final against Prince Avenue Christian, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand) File: 20241219-121226-d44-j1.jpg Caption: The Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines run on to the field for the GHSA private A-3A final against Hebron Christian, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Index/Justin Teffertiller)