High School

Hebron Christian earns first state title, routs Prince Avenue in Georgia 3-1A Private final: Live updates recap

Thomas Stallworth runs for four touchdowns in 56-28 victory 

Bob Lundeberg

Andrew Beard of Prince Avenue.
Andrew Beard of Prince Avenue. / Kyunnie Shuman/For Savannahnow.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Prince Avenue Christian (10-3) will go for a three-peat on Wednesday against Hebron Christian (11-2) in the Class 3-1A Private state football championship game.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Eastern time from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. 

The Wolverines edged Hebron Christian, 34-31, back in November. Prince Avenue Christian, which blanked North Cobb Christian 43-0 to reach the final, defeated Swainsboro in the title game each of the last two seasons. 

The Lions have won three in a row since the loss to Prince Avenue Christian, including a 24-17 semifinal victory over Fellowship Christian.

The Wolverines are making their fifth consecutive title game appearance while Hebron Christian is in the final for the first time in program history. 

Prince Avenue Christian is 11-1 all-time against Hebron Christian.

Prince Avenue Christian vs. Hebron Christian Live Updates Recap

First quarter

Coin toss: Hebron Christian wins the toss and defers to the second half. Prince Avenue Christian will get the ball first. 

Underway: Prince Avenue Christian begins at its own 20. 

Three-and-out: Wolverines fail to pick up a first down and punt it away. Hebron Christian takes over at its own 33. 

Replay review: A Hebron Christian sideline catch gets overturned after a lengthy review. Lions punt it away and Prince Avenue Christian will start at its own 49 following a 28-yard return from CJ Dockery.

Andrew Beard: The Prince Avenue running back is the nephew of former Georgia and NFL standout Garrison Hearst. 

Bad snap: Prince Avenue is again forced to punt, and the snap goes over Jake Bobo’s head. Hebron Christian takes over at the Wolverines 40. 

Touchdown Lions: On first down, Devon Caldwell takes it around the right side for a 40-yard touchdown. Hebron Christian 7, Prince Avenue Christian 0. 7:10 remaining in the opening quarter. 

Touchdown Wolverines: What a response from Prince Avenue Christian. Quarterback Ben Musser houses an 80-yard run to tie the game. Hebron Christian 7, Prince Avenue Christian 7.

Lions marching: After a fourth-down conversion, Hebron Christian has it first-and-10 from the Prince Avenue Christian 25. 

Touchdown Lions: Thomas Stallworth lunges for the end zone to complete a seven-yard rushing touchdown. The play is under review. I think he got in before his knee hit the ground, but we’ll see. 

Touchdown stands: Stallworth gets the touchdown. Hebron Christian 14, Prince Avenue Christian 7. 1:33 left in the quarter.

Wolverines punt: Hebron Christian forces another Prince Avenue Christian punt. Lions have it at their own 47. 

Big play Lions: Jarvis Mathurin makes a nice snag for a 42-yard gain, setting up a first-and-10 for Hebron Christian from the 11. 

End of quarter: Hebron Christian 14, Prince Avenue Christian 7.

Second quarter

Touchdown Lions: Devon Caldwell powers it in from 11 yards out on the first play of the quarter. For some reason, we have to review this one, too. 

Call overturned: After another lengthy review, Caldwell was down just short of the goal line. It will be first-and-goal from inside the 1. 

Touchdown Lions: Caldwell does score this time. Hebron Christian 21, Prince Avenue Christian 7. Lions are in complete control. 

Touchdown Lions, again: One play after recording a fourth-down stop, Jarvis Mathurin explodes for a 50-yard touchdown. It’s all Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Hebron Christian 28, Prince Avenue Christian 7, still 9:47 to go in the half. 

Wolverines punt: Hebron Christian gets another stop and will take over at the Prince Avenue Christian 48, leading 28-7. Jarvis Mathurin with a nice punt return for the Lions.

Touchdown Lions: Devon Caldwell scores his third rushing touchdown of the game — this time from 30 yards out — to put Hebron Christian up 35-7. Prince Avenue Christian is in deep, deep trouble. 

Touchdown Wolverines: CJ Dockery catches an eight-yard touchdown pass to give Prince Avenue Christian some life. The drive included a 52-yard catch-and-run from Hudson Hill. Hebron Christian 35, Prince Avenue Christian 14, 4:49 remaining in the half. 

Lions punt: Georgia Tech signee Christian Garrett gets a big quarterback hit on third down to force a punt. CJ Dockery had a 57-yard punt return, but the play was wiped away on a block in the back penalty. Prince Avenue Christian takes over at its own 20 with 1:13 left in the half. 

Interception: N.C. State signee Gerritt Kemp makes a leaping interception to get the ball back for Hebron Christian. Lions have it at their own 45 with 40 seconds on the clock. 

Halftime: Hebron Christian 35, Prince Avenue Christian 14. Lions will receive to open the second half. 

Third quarter

Action resumes: Hebron Christian, leading 35-14, begins the third quarter at midfield. 

Touchdown Lions: Well that was quick. Devon Caldwell rips off a 47-yard run to open the half, and Thomas Stallworth finishes it off with a three-yard scoring run. Hebron Christian 42, Prince Avenue Christian 14.

Touchdown Wolverines: Ben Musser runs it in from 43 yards out to make it a 42-21 game, 9:46 remaining in the quarter. 

Touchdown Lions: Thomas Stallworth punches it in from one yard out to extend the lead to 49-21. 

Wolverines punt: Prince Avenue Christian can’t get anything going and punts it back to Hebron Christian. Lions take over at their own 27. 

Lions punt: Hebron Christian is forced to punt, and CJ Dockery returns the boot 55 yards to the Lions 35.

End of quarter: Hebron Christian 49, Prince Avenue Christian 21.

Fourth quarter

Another review: I think we’re reviewing whether or not Hebron Christian had 12 players on defense. I am not in favor of high school football having replay review. It just ruins the pace of play. 

Touchdown Wolverines: Ben Musser scores his third rushing touchdown of the day — this time from 14 yards out — to make it a 49-28 game. 11:24 remaining. 

Lions punt: A third-down holding penalty kills Hebron Christian’s drive. Prince Avenue Christian, trailing by three touchdowns, takes over at its own 48 with 6:43 left on the clock.

First down Lions: Thomas Stallworth picks up a big first down on the ground. Hebron Christian has officially put this one away. 

Touchdown Lions: Thomas Stallworth finishes off this one in style with a two-yard touchdown run. The lead swells to 56-28 with 46 seconds remaining. 

Final: Hebron Christian 56, Prince Avenue Christian 28. Lions capture their first state title. 

Pregame

Georgia Bulldogs connection: Prince Avenue senior quarterback Jake Bobo is the son of Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. 

Prince Avenue Christian players to watch: Sophomore running back Andrew Beard; Sophomore wide receiver Hudson Hill; Junior wide receiver CJ Dockery; Junior tight end Brice Williamson; Senior offensive lineman Jake Atha (West Georgia signee); Senior defensive lineman Christian Garrett (Georgia Tech signee); Senior defensive lineman Jack Lanier; Senior linebacker Mac Bradley (Air Force signee); Sophomore defensive back Judd Shoemaker

Hebron Christian players to watch: Senior quarterback Thomas Stallworth; Junior running back Devon Caldwell; Junior running back/wide receiver Jarvis Mathurin; Senior defensive end Carrington Coombs (Georgia Tech signee); Senior linebacker Nick Wade; Senior cornerback Gerritt Kemp (N.C. State signee); Junior safety Max Steve

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Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports

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Bob Lundeberg
BOB LUNDEBERG

Bob Lundeberg is a freelance sports writer who has covered high school and college sports in the Pacific Northwest since 2009. He was inspired to write Finish, his first book, after spending four years on the Oregon State baseball beat for the Corvallis Gazette-Times and The Oregonian. He covers high school sports from a national perspective for High School On SI with reports on breaking news, trending topics and national polls.

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