Dacula, Ga. - The Hebron Christian Academy football team sprinted through the GHSA Private State Football Playoffs last season, averaging a point differential of 25 points across its four victories. 

The Lions capped off the dominant run in the 2024-25 postseason with a 56-28 performance over Prince Avenue Christian to claim their first-ever state title. 

They will look to defend their title this fall, starting the journey back to Mercedes Benz Stadium with North Atlanta High School in the Corky Kell Classic next Thursday, Aug. 14. 

However, this year's pride will look different ... in many ways. 

Head coach Kenny Dallas took over the reins earlier this spring, after former head coach Jonathan Gess made his departure last year. 

Dallas has spent this summer getting to know all of his new players and coaching staff. 

"It's been great, getting to know the kids and watching them work. I tell them that 'preparation, whatever you do, you put it in your pocket and you own it, if it ain't in your pocket [then] you don't have it,'" Dallas said. "I'm very proud of [the players]. It's a lot of newness for everybody ... a lot of transitioning and learning. I want to build on the success that was here, and at the same time, do it in the way that is our way. Every year, you've got to wipe that slate clean and then you've got to restart." 

To Dallas, the Hebron way is to win on and off the field. 

"When we win on the field, it's easy to see, it's your win/loss record. We've got to prepare, practice and play to win," Dallas said. "To win off the field, we want to challenge boys to become godly men, become great husbands, dads and leaders in their community one day. The Hebron way ... is preparation and brotherhood. It is hard work and it is love - those are the two things that I think a young man has on Friday nights with him." 

Dallas and the Lions have coined "preparation and brotherhood" as their motto ahead of this new season. 

However, it's more than just a motto, it's the whole point, and it's all Dallas' players truly have throughout the season - the hard work they have put in and their brothers beside them. 

Players to Watch

Hebron graduated a talented group of seniors after its state-title run last season, most notably quarterback (QB)  Thomas Stallworth (Reinhardt) and offensive lineman (OL) Adam Cannon (Virginia Military Institute) on offense, along with defensive lineman (DL) Sichan John (Virginia) on the opposite side of the ball. 

However, the Lions return a high-powered core on offense, which is highlighted by Georgia Southern wide-receiver commit Jarvis Mathurin, Mercer running-back commit Devon Caldwell and three-star OL Fletcher Turk - each of them seniors. 

Mathurin and Caldwell combined for 42 touchdowns last season, and over 3,000 yards-receiving and rushing. 

Turk will anchor the right side of the trenches, joined by junior Elijah Morrison and senior Morgan Jordan.

Morrison has received offers from Georgia Tech, Troy, Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State. 

Senior quarterback Grayton Costello coulbe be the favortie to supply Mathurin and Caldwell with passes and hand-offs.

According to Dallas, Costello has spent most of the summer taking No. 1 reps over juniors Michael Kyles Jr. and Ashton Patterson, but the QB room is strong.

"That's been a big question mark for us. We've got great kids right there, really three guys who are battling it out, and are great young men," Dallas said. "I'm proud of those guys and how hard they've worked." 

On defense, sophomore Fred Moses and junior Buford transfer Marley Woods highlight the DL. 

Senior safety Max Steve will look to replicate his performance last season, when he was an all-state selection. 

"There's a lot of good pieces. We've got a lot of great players ... and we're excited about them," Dallas said. 

A Look at the Schedule 

Hebron will certainly need to be prepared, considering the gauntlet of a schedule it has this fall. 

After a scrimmage with Westminster at home this Friday, Aug. 8, the Lions will open non-region, which includes North Atlanta, Fellowship Christian, McCallie (Tenn.), and Blessed Trinity, all of which advanced to the second round or farther during their respective tournaments last season. 

Blessed Trinity, which finished as GHSA Class AAAA runner-up, opens the season as the 17th-best team in Georgia and 110th nationally. 

McCallie, last year's Tennessee Division II-AAA champion, will open the season as the No. 2 team in the state (Maxwell Rankings). 

Hebron added McCallie to the schedule after a few match ups fell through, it will play just four non-region games and nine regular-season games overall. 

"We're going to be battle-tested, there's no doubt. Losing a couple games [on the schedule] and adding McCallie is a pretty daunting task, but at the same time, the whole deal is [that] you have to play the man to be the man," Dallas said. "Iron sharpens iron, so every rep that we take, [we're] learning. The whole purpose is to be playing your best football come November." 

The Lions will end non-region play with Blessed Trinity on Friday, Sept. 19, which will lead them into their first region contest the following week. 

Class AA-8 will mirror that of last season - East Jackson, Hart County, Stephens County and Franklin County, with Prince Avenue and Hebron remaining as the favorites to be region champion. 

The Wolverines had the Lions' number in their first meeting, and ultimately claimed the region title, but Hebron struck back in the state championship game in a big way. 

The Athens power will also run under a new head coach - Jon Richt, son of legendary Georgia coach Mark Richt. 

Dallas will be relatively unfamiliar with much of the region, but Prince Avenue he knows all too well. 

As the head coach of Trinity Christian School in Sharpsburg (2017-2025), Dallas coached against the Wolverines in two state championships, winning one in 2021. 

"There's a lot [that] I have to learn about the region. High school teams change from year-to-year," Dallas said. [Prince Avenue] is a great program, and has been at an extremely high level for a long time. What a challenge to have a team like that in your region. I'm sure we're going to have a couple of great battles with [Prince Avenue]."