By HENRY DURAND, The Christian Index

ATLANTA – The Hebron Christian Academy Lions (11-2) will face the Prince Avenue Christian School Wolverines (10-3) in the Georgia High School Association private A-3A championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 18. . The contest will be a rematch of the Nov. 1 school game, which Prince Avenue won 34-31.

The Lions under head coach Jonathan Gess will play in their first state final. Wolverines head coach Greg Vandagriff, on the other hand, will accompany his team to the state championship game for the fifth consecutive year.

Gess, in his third year as the Lions’ head coach, says the team’s success this season is a culmination of the hard work put in over the previous two seasons. Despite the excitement of winning the semifinals against Fellowship Christian 24-17 on Dec. 6, coach Gess said it was back to work on Monday. “I told the team that they can celebrate after December 18, but for now they have to stay locked down. If they relax, they won’t prepare adequately.”

The Wolverines shut out North Cobb Christian, punching their ticket to the finals, which they have won the last two years and three of the last four years. For his seniors, coach Vandagriff said, it will be the 58th^Th Game so they know what to expect and how to prepare. He told the younger players on the team to just follow the lead of the seniors.

For both coaches, however, the season and the game are about much more than just football. “It’s a way to preach Jesus to the boys, their families and the community,” Gess said. “The inclusion of Jesus Christ creates unity within the team and creates a culture that is second to none.”

Landon Dowden, senior pastor at Hebron Baptist Church and whose son Adoniram is a second-year linebacker on the team, says culture starts at Gess. Dowden recalls that spring training began with the team attending a church service in Hebron, reflecting Coach Gess’ 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 who loves the Lord and is willing to work hard to be successful be.”

In an interview after the team’s semifinal victory, coach Gess referred to Christ. “He wants to give glory to the Lord,” Dowden says of Gess. “At a time when so many are celebrating themselves and their own accomplishments, I am grateful that he always points to Christ.”

Vandagriff also sees Jesus as a central part of his team’s identity and says that part of that role is to “help players understand the hope they place in Jesus.” Lord at the center and we focus on what He is doing through us.”

Josh Smith, pastor of Prince Avenue Baptist Church, said of Vandagriff: “I have watched Coach Vandagriff build not only an incredible football program, but incredible young men. Although much of his effectiveness comes from his knowledge and skills, most of it is due to his testimony. The Lord did an incredible work in his life and I wish everyone could hear his story.”

The championship game will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday, December 18th at 1 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through GoFan or viewed via livestream on the National Federation of State High School Associations website.