Creekside Holds Off Benedictine, 42-39, to Capture Class AAAA State Championship

MVP Cayden Benson runs for more than 130 yards, 2 TDs, and throws TD pass to lead Seminoles to first title since 2013

Creekside quarterback Cayden Benson ran for two touchdowns and passed for another to lead the Seminoles past Benedictine, 42-39, in the Class AAAAA championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Dec. 15, 2025. / Cayden Benson

In a tale of two halves, it was the second half that made the difference for the Creekside Seminoles in their biggest game of the 2025 season.

In a wild seesaw battle that saw unbeaten Creekside trail 24-21 at halftime, the Noles (15-0) and their high-powered offense kicked into another gear in the third quarter by outscoring 21 unanswered points and they held on for a thrilling 42-39 victory against Benedictine on Monday night in the Class AAAA state championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The game wasn’t decided until the final minutes as Benedictine (11-3) got a 1-yard touchdown run from quarterback Stephen Cannon and a two-point conversion pass from Cannon to Bubba Frazier with 1 minute, 4 seconds left to cut Creekside’s lead to three, 42-39.

The Seminoles then recovered the onside kick and took three kneel downs to win it. It is their second state championship, but first since 2013.

“It’s exciting,” Creekside quarterback Cayden Benson told a Georgia Public Broadcasting announcer after the game. “It’s everything we’ve worked for.”

Benson was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after running for two touchdowns and throwing for another score. His 45-yard TD run and 17-yard TD pass to Ced Kelley rallied the Noles from a three-point halftime deficit to a 35-24 lead in the third quarter. Kelley then exploded for a 20-yard TD run to give Creekside a 42-24 lead going into the fourth quarter.

But Benedictine, which rallied from an 18-point deficit in the second quarter to take a 24-21 lead, was determined to make another rally.

Eron Mallard caught a 32-yard TD pass from Cannon, a Texas Tech signee, with 11:23 left. Cannon then scored on a controversial 1-yard keeper with 1:04 left. Replays seemed to show Cannon short of the goal line, but officials upheld the call.

Cannon then rolled right on the two-point conversion and found Bubba Frazier, in the end zone. But that would be all that the Cadets could muster.

It looked rough for Benedictine early on as Gary Walker scored on a 45-yard TD run, Benson raced 49 yards for a score and Kelley scored on a 5-yard run to put Creekside up 21-3 with 6:22 left in the second quarter.

But the Cadets never gave up. Cannon threw TD passes of 74 and 14 yards to Mallard and Stanley Smart Jr., respectively, and LaDamion Guyton threw a 1-yard jump pass to Bennett Conaway for a TD with 40 seconds left to give Benedictine a 24-21 halftime lead.

The Seminoles finished the season with 845 points for an average of 56.3 per game -- a state record.

Pre-game Notes

Creekside and Benedictine meet for the first time ever -- and it's for all the marbles in Class 4A.

Creekside wearing light gold uniforms and gold helmets. Benedictine wearing maroon jerseys, white pants and white helmets.

Unbeaten Creekside (14-0) out of Metro Atlanta brings a powerful offense into this year’s Class 4A state championship game. The Seminoles have scored a whopping 803 points for an average of 57.4 per game – a state record. Creekside is chasing its first championship since 2013.

Benedictine (11-2), a private, Catholic prep school in Savannah, is on a tear with an 11-game win streak. The Cadets feature multiple Division I-signees and are seeking their fifth title in 12 seasons.

Creekside vs. Benedictine Live Updates: Georgia Class 4A State Title Game

Updates will be here when the game begins. Refresh for the latest update.

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Creekside	7	14	21	0	42
Benedictine	3	21	0	15	39

Creekside wins toss, elects to receive.

First Quarter

Big KO return. Seminoles at 25

Ced Kelley crashes up the middle for 5 yards, then bottled up on 2nd down Now, 3rd down.

Gary Walker races for 1st down!

Kelley runs hard, fumbles ball, recovered by teammate.

3rd down for Creekside at B 45yard line.

TOUCHDOWN! Gary Walker explodes up the middle for 45 yards for a TD! 8:34 left. 22nd career rushing TD. PAT is good. Creekside 7, Benedictine 0.

Penalties have backed up Benedictine to its own 7.

Benedictine on 4th down gets big run for 1st down out of the Wildcat by LaDamion Guyton!

Big runs by Joshua Washington and Eron Mallard put the Cadets at midfield. Water break. Creekside 7-0.

HUGE run by Bubba Frazier out of the Wildcat! 1st down at the 29-yard line of Creekside.

Mallard explodes for 11 yards to 18 of Creekside 18.

Benedictine tries double pass on trick play but ball sails long. Incomplete.

FIELD GOAL! Parker Lewis booms 28-yarder from the left hash! Creekiside 7, Benedictine 3 with 2:53 left 1Q.

SACKED! Benedictine's LaDamion Guyton sacks QB for loss, forces 4th down. Guyton is Texas Tech signee.

Creekside converts 4th down on run by John Brenton but Seminoles get penalized on the play. Creekside punts.

Carter Jamison makes big stick on Benedictine's Eron Mallard, holding the Cadets to short pass gain.

END OF FIRST QUARTER: Creekside 7, Benedictine 3

Second Quarter

Stanley Smart Jr. bulls for 1st down for Benedictine. Cadets playing power.

Kenny Fairley makes big TFL for Creekside. Benedictine then throws INC pass. 4th down

Cadets punts

CREEKSIDE BIG PASS from Cayden Benson to Eric Paul Jr for 18 yards!

TOUCHDOWN! Creekside scores on beautiful 49-yard QB draw by Cayden Benson! Seminoles lead Benedictine, 14-3 with 7:21 left in the half.

Benedictine at 35-yard line.

Benedictine QB Stephen Cannon sacked by Daniel "Tank" Holton for 8-yard loss.

Cannon chased silly, throws INC pass but Creekside challenges call after Tavarre Terrell appeared to have hit Cannon's ball and forced fumble. Officials uphold call.

FUMBLE! Creekside's Decari Farley slaps ball out of Cannon's hands and Terrell recovers!

On next play, Ced Kelley takes Wildcats and scoots 5 yards into the end zone! TOUCHDOWN! Creekside rolling 21-3 with 6:22 left in 1H!

TOUCHDOWN! Benedictine strikes back fast with 74-yard TD pass from Stephen Cannon to Eron Mallard with 6:09 left in 1H. Creekside 21, Benedictine 10.

Benedictine forces 3rd down

Creekside INC pass, hits short punt.

Benedictine big pass from Stephen Cannon to Eron Mallard to set up at Creekside 13-yard line!

TOUCHDOWN! Stephen Cannon rolls right, throws back across his body and hits Stanley Smart Jr. on the left and he backpedals into the end zone to complete 14-yard TD pass! Creekside 21, Benedictine 17, with 3:56 left.

INTERCEPTION! CB Jon Black intercepts pass from Creekside QB Cayden Benson with 2:00 left in 1H! Cadets at CHS 49 yard line

Big run by Bubba Frazier and then nice pass from Stephen Cannon to Stanley Smart Jr. who races to 1-yard line.

Two plays later, 6-foot-3 LaDamion Guyton throws jumps pass to senior TD Bennett Conaway for TOUCHDOWN! Benedictine roars back from 21-3 deficit to take 24-21 lead with 40 seconds left in 1H!

FUMBLE! Creekside QB Cayden Benson hits long pass to Damien Henderson, then runs for another 1st down. But then Henderson hauls in pass over the middle and races to the Benedictine 2-yard line before getting stripped by Wyatt Estabrook and Jon Black recovers for the Cadets with 1 second left in the 1H!

END OF FIRST HALF: Benedictine 24, Creekside 21

Third Quarter

Benedictine receives KO, and Stephen Cannon gets stripped on 3rd down by Carter Jamison but Cannon recovers. Cadets punt.

Creekside gets 5-yard run from QB Cayden Benson.

TOUCHOWN! Benson explodes for 45-yard TD run around right side. Creekside takes lead, 28-24, with 8:42 left in 3Q.

Tavarre Terrell sacks Benedictine QB Stephen Cannon at Cadets' 1-yard line, forces punt.

TOUCHDOWN! After short punt by Benedictine, Creekside QB Cayden Benson throws 17-yard TD pass to Ced Kelley! Seminoles lead 35-24 with 5:53 left in the 3Q.

Creekside defense blowing up Benedictine. Forces another punt.

Injury timeout for Benedictine

Creekside huge pass play from Cayden Benson to Damien Henderson! Seminoles at Benedictine 28-yard line.

TOUCHDOWN: 3rd and 8: short run by Ced Kelley. And then Kelley runs up the middle for 20-yard TD! Creekside running away with it, 42-24, with 1:38 left.

Benedictine in catch-up mode now, down by 18 for the second straight time.

Creekside forces another punt! Noles now have 9 tackles for loss, 5 sacks with 28 seconds left in the 3Q.

END OF THIRD QUARTER: Creekside 42, Benedictine 24

Fourth Quarter

Creekside throws interception.

TOUCHDOWN! Stephen Cannon 32-yard TD pass to Eron Mallard, who outjumps Sean Williams for the ball in the end zone with 11:23 left. Creekside 42, Benedictine 31.

Creekside driving again. At Benedictine 21

Benedictine forces 4th down. Creekside is short of 1st down on pass play to Damien Henderson. Turnover on downs!

Cadets have ball at its 13-yard line with 7:33 left.

Timeout Creekside, 1st one of the half, 7:22 left.

Benedictine held deep in its own territory. 4th down. Timeout by the Cadets, first of the half, with 7:16 left.

HUGE PUNT by Benedictine! Creekside backed up to its 31.

Creekside forced to punt but Seminoles fake it and upback Gary Walker races for big run and 1st down!

Creekside goes to 4th down but pass completion is short of 1st down. Another turnover on downs.

Benedictine 4th down and converts on pass to Eron Mallard.

Creekside pass interference, another 1st down for Benedictine. Less than 2 minutes left.

Another penalty on Creekside, late hit out of bounds. Benedictine 3rd and 2 from CHS 8.

BENEDICTINE QB Stephen Cannon, Texas Tech signee, scrambles for first down on 4th-down play, down to 1-yard line! 1:10 left

Cannon then scores on 1-yard TD run with 1:04 left. Play goes under review and call is upheld.

Cannon throws 2-point pass to Bubba Frazier, cuts Creekside lead to three points, 42-39!

Benedictine does onside kick, Creekside recovers.

Creekside in victory formation, takes 3 kneel downs to clinch it! Seminoles win 42-39.

FINAL: Creekside 42, Benedictine 39

Players to Watch

Creekside

• Cayden Benson, Sr., QB -- Class 4A, Region 4 Player of the Year; 2,680 yards passing, 37 TDs, five interceptions; 372 yards rushing, 10 TDs.
• Gary Walker, Jr., RB/LB -- 1,526 yards rushing, 19 TDs; multiple offers, including Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Pitt, FSU.
• Damien Henderson, Sr., WR/FS -- 47 catches, 860 yards, 11 TDs.
• Eric Paul, Sr., WR -- 45 catches, 853 yards, 11 TDs.
• Decari Farley, Sr., MLB/SS -- Southern Illinois signee; 106 tackles, including 40 solo and seven for loss, and 5.1 sacks.
• Tavarre Terrell, Jr., MLB -- 73 tackles, including 33 solo and 22.5 for loss, and 18.5 sacks; multiple offers, including Western Kentucky, Troy, Jackson State, Austin Peay.
• Tyree Colize, Sr., FS/CB -- 11 tackles, five interceptions.

Benedictine

• Stephen Cannon, Sr., QB -- Texas Tech signee; 2.033 yards passing, 23 TDs; four interceptions; 623 yards rushing, eight TDs.
• Bubba Frazier, ATH -- Notre Dame signee; 243 yards rushing, three TDs; 43 catches for 639 yards, 10 TDs.
• Stanley Smart, Jr., Junior, RB/SB -- 996 yards rushing, 12 TDs; 10 catches for 128 yards, one TD.
• Jayden Houston, Sr., -- 95 tackles, including 77 solo and 15 for loss, and three sacks.
• LaDamion Guyton, Jr., OLB -- Texas Tech signee; 66 tackles, including 50 solo and 14 for loss, and six sacks.
• Kameron Cody, Sr., DT/G -- Clemson signee; 73 tackles, including 55 solo and 13 for loss, and 5.5 sacks.
• Micah Williams, Sr., -- Appalachian State signee; 41 tackles, including 26 solo, and six interceptions.

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Jeff Gardenour can be reached via email at jgardenour1962@gmail.com or X @JMarkG1962

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