The GHSA Drive to the State Championship will be live from Bogart, Ga. to broadcast the highly anticipated clash between five-time defending state champion Eagle’s Landing Christian and Prince Avenue Christian. This showdown is a rematch of last year’s thrilling 62-57 shootout in the second round of the state playoffs that ELCA triumphed in. The two powerhouses combined for 1,295 total yards of offense in last year’s playoff thriller and return that same explosive star power to set the stage for another must-see battle.
Prince Avenue Christian:
Prince Avenue Christian has been one of the most consistent programs in the state over the past decade and have racked up a 108-19 record since 2011. The Wolverines reached the state finals for the first time in school history in 2012 and have been knocking on the door each season looking to take home the first championship in school history. A victory over the visiting Chargers this Friday night would send the Wolverines to their sixth semifinals in the last seven years. Leading the Wolverines offense is five-star quarterback Brock Vandagriff. The UGA-commit is in the final chapter of one of the most phenomenal varsity careers that the state has ever witnessed. ELCA got to see just how talented Vandagriff is in last year’s playoff meeting, where he threw for a career-high 525 yards and six touchdowns—only to come up short 62-57. This season, Vandagriff has passed for 3,342 yards and a career-high 40 touchdowns. He has also showcased his tough rushing ability and is tied with Landon Owens with his team-high 13 rushing touchdowns this season. Leading the receiving corps is senior Logan Johnson—who has hauled in 1,004 receiving yards with a team-high 17 touchdowns this season. In last year’s matchup with ELCA, Johnson finished with 13 catches for 244 yards and five touchdowns.
Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy:
The Chargers have won the past five consecutive state championships (2015-19) and aside from 2016’s double-overtime championship victory over Fellowship Christian (33-27) the title games have not been close. Eagle’s Landing Christian has compiled a 117-19 record over its last 10 seasons. In its five-year title run, ELCA’s margin of victory in championship games is 187-74 including last year’s 33-13 victory over Wesleyan. Head coach Jonathan Gess has been at ELCA since 2007 and has amassed a record of 153-31 and has been to at least the quarterfinals each season since 2010. He coached ELCA to a state title in 2012, his first, and then brought the Chargers back to the championship game in 2014 before losing to Mount Paran Christian. Gess is the fifth coach in state history to have six career state championships. This year, however, No. 2 ELCA is chasing top-ranked Prince Ave and against the Wolverines, ELCA faces arguably its most-difficult playoff challenge since the loss to Paran six seasons ago. The Chargers are 5-0 all-time against the Wolverines—including last year’s 62-57 win in the second round. ELCA went 9-3 through the regular season this year with three consecutive losses to Class 5A then-No. 2 Blessed Trinity 38-14, Class 3A then-No. 2 Crisp County 34-14 and 3A then-No. 6 Pierce County 20-13. This season in the playoffs, ELCA beat Aquinas 45-17 and Stratford Academy 27-0. ELCA is a run-heavy team, averaging 215 rushing to 88 passing yards per game. Senior quarterback Philip Massengale is 53-of-103 passing for 957 yards and five touchdown and has 128 carries for 654 yards and nine touchdowns. Senior back Josh Rogers has 106 carries for 835 yards and 11 touchdowns. Freshman Brandon Hood has 86 carries for 634 yards and nine touchdowns. Sophomore Jacque Holley and senior Mac Craig each have three touchdowns receptions and Holley has been the most efficient with five receptions for 190 yards. Junior Cameron Sigur has 18 receptions for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Hood and Samuel Allred each have one touchdown reception.
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