2017 Varsity Football Team
No team summary for this season.
ELCA etching its place in state history after third straight state title
Updated on 06/10/2022
By Luke Strickland - Henry Herald
MCDONOUGH — Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy once again proved to be the class of the Georgia High School Association’s Class A-Private classification last Friday with a 41-3 win over Athens Academy in the state championship game.
The Chargers also etched their place in the state history books with the victory. ELCA became just the ninth team in state history to win three straight state championships. The Chargers beat Aquinas 35-14 in 2015, Fellowship Christian in 2016 and Athens Academy this season.
“When I got here in 2007 we got beat in the first round of the playoffs, the second year we got beat in the second round by Lincoln County and they beat us again in 2009,” ELCA head coach Jonathan Gess said. “In 2010 we went 10-0 but got beat by Clinch County. It’s been a process. It’s a wave that’s been growing and building. We had a special team in 2012 with great players, but we honestly thought we’d never coach a team like that ever again. The program just kept growing and getting better. Most these kids who are seniors were in elementary school and saw that 2012 team.”
Gess became the 12th coach in state history to win at least four state championships. ELCA won its first state title under Gess in 2012. In all, Gess improved to 102-17 in nine seasons. The most state championships by a head coach in state history is 14 by Valdosta’s Wright Bazemore.
ELCA’s state championship win was also its 36th straight victory, dating back to 2015. That too is inching closer to the state record of 47, which was set in 2004 by Buford. ELCA’s current streak is the 11th longest in state history, and can pass Buford’s streak with a perfect season next year.
In terms of dominance this season, ELCA outscored its opponents 728-72, including 205-3 in the state playoffs. On a per game basis, the Chargers outscored opponents 52-5, which is a school record.
The Chargers did so with a deep group of contributors. ELCA had six players rush for 400 yards or more this season, led by Josh Mays’ 1,389 yards. Nine different players scored a rushing touchdown. Quarterback Brayden Rush finished with 1,317 yards passing, meaning the Chargers were successful offensively without the luxury of a passer or a rusher with more than 1,500 yards.
ELCA was even more dominant defensively. The Chargers gave up 50 points in their first four games before surrendering 22 points in their remaining 10 games. They finished the season with six shutouts, including three in the playoffs. Athens Academy kicked a field goal with a minute left in the fourth quarter of the state championship game, ending the shutout streak.
“It’s really awesome,” Gess said. “It’s a testament to the hard work that our kids and coaches have put in. This is a special group — we say we have a special group of seniors but it goes back to the 2015 group. Obviously the 2018 class is special, but the juniors and sophomores under this group are special as well. We had a goal and hopes and dreams and desires, and our kids worked their tails off to accomplish those things.”
ELCA’s senior class finished their careers with a record of 46-10 and three state championships. After losing 49-7 to Mount Paran Christian in the state championship as freshmen in 2014, ELCA has lost just three times since.
Gess said he’s been able to put last week’s state title victory in better perspective as he’s had time to reflect.
“In life you work hard — we say ‘win the day’ — but you don’t know what it’s going to get you,” Gess said. “When you have that opportunity and a special group of kids, you want to be special. We always say if you’re better by 50 then win by 50, if you’re better than 40 then win by 40, if you’re better than one then win by one.
“As I reflect back its special,” he continued. “People assume we cheat and recruit, but we do none of that. There isn’t a coach in this county that can say they’ve seen me watching youth games or a kid that can say I ever called them. It’s amazing what we’ve done. It’s a testament to the players, coaches, the school and the parents believing in something and achieving it.”
ELCA wins third straight state title
Updated on 06/10/2022
By Stan Awtrey
Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy won its third straight state championship on Friday morning, the fifth in the school’s history, in near-record fashion.
The Chargers (14-0) defeated Athens Academy 41-3 in the Class A Private championship game, the first high school title determined at the Mercedes-Benz stadium.
The victory extended ELCA’s winning streak to 36 straight and completed an unprecedented postseason run. ELCA won its four playoff games by a cumulative score of 201-3. The Chargers allowed only 72 points all season and only 22 against Class A opposition. They also defeated Class AAA Hart County, Class AAAAAA Jonesboro and Class AAAAA Eagle’s Landing during the regular season.
“Great leadership from our seniors,” ELCA coach Jonathan Gess said. “I say that because as freshmen they got beat 49-7 in the state championship game. A lot of people can feel sorry for themselves and whine and complain. Those boys went to work and the result of that has been 36 straight wins and three state championships.”
ELCA dominated both sides of the ball. They had 420 yards of total offense, 281 of that coming on the ground, and limited Athens Academy (13-1) to 22 total yards and no first downs. Gess credited defensive coordinator Brett Collier for the game plan and the seniors for carrying it out.
“Our defense has done a phenomenal job,” Gess said. “We just have a great group of leaders that are seniors on defense. I’m real excited for them.”
ELCA defensive lineman Harrison Taylor said. “It’s big-time. This is what we pride ourselves on, hard work and shutting people out. Nobody works the way we do. We’re family. We all play for each other. Nobody’s selfish. If one guy messes up, the next man picks him back up … 36-0, three-time state champs. I love my brothers.”
Taylor had 7.5 tackles, three for loss, and two sacks. Johnathan Youngblood had 7.5 tackles, one for loss. Georgia Shockley had 4.5 tackles. Khaleb Hood had 3.5 tackles and one interception.
Josh Mays rushed 23 times for 101 yards and quarterback Brayden Rush completed 8 of 13 passes for 91 yards and one touchdown for ELCA.
Athens Academy scored its only points late in the game. Tae Clay intercepted Rush and took over at the 8. The Spartans weren’t able to move the ball and settled for a 25-yard Drew Byus field goal with 1:39 remaining. The field goal prevented ELCA from becoming the second team in history to go through the playoffs without allowing a point.
ELCA removed any suspense early, dominating the first half and taking a 27-0 lead into intermission. The Chargers ran for four scores, a 1-yarder from Rush, a 39-yarder from Nate McCollum, a 9-yarder from Keaton Mitchell and a 70-yard gut-buster by Justin Menard with 4:17 left.
“We like the fast tempo,” Menard said. “We shut them down real quick.”
ELCA scored on two touchdown passes in the third quarter, a 19-yarder from Rush to Sean Queen and 48-yarder from McCollum to Queen.
ELCA seniors reflect on memorable careers following third straight state title
Updated on 06/10/2022
By Darius Goodman and Luke Strickland - Henry Herald
MCDONOUGH — The ELCA Chargers finished off a perfect 14-0 season Friday morning with a victory over Athens Academy in the Class A-Private state championship game.
With the win, ELCA’s senior class finished their careers with a record of 46-10 and three state championships. After losing 49-7 to Mount Paran Christian in the state championship as freshmen in 2014, ELCA has lost just three times since.
Several of those players will go down in ELCA’s history books as some of the most productive players in program history. The Henry Herald caught up with a handful of those seniors after their state championship win.
Sean Queen, wide receiver
On the win: I just want to thank my lord and saviour Jesus Christ. He put our whole team in this situation. With coach (Jonathan) Gess and all the coaches here I just want to thank them. They were always here for us. To do our very best, we just had to execute what we had been practicing for the past 18 weeks. I thank God we’re state champions again. It’s three years in a row, it’s crazy.
On graduating as a state champ: Everybody knows I committed to Liberty, but this is my home and these are my brothers — I’d do anything for them and it was just a great way to go out. I have a lot of emotions, happy emotions.
Harrison Taylor, defensive lineman
On being a three-time state champ: It’s great — I couldn’t have done it without my brothers and nobody works like us so it’s great to share it with them.
On losing to Mount Paran as a freshman in the 2014 state championship game:It motivated us, nobody wants to get beat 49-7 in the Dome, especially not on live TV. We we’re up at 5 (a.m.) in the morning from January to May working, not letting it happen again.”
Josh Mays, running back
On his season: Technically you can say first-string, starter but years back we rotated and I was like a starter. I played defense and offense. I still did everything — it was the same mindset, come in work hard every day and it paid off.
On meeting goals this season: We met the team goal of winning 36 straight, winning the championship three times in a row. But yeah, we met the team goal, it’s not always about your personal goal.
On graduation: I’m still going to come out and work hard. If God blesses me with an opportunity to go play football at the next level, I’ll take it and I’ll be prepared. Instead of just stopping and giving up, I’m going to keep going. If God gives me the opportunity. I’ll take it.
Three-Peat: ELCA caps off dominant season with rout of Athens Academy for third straight state title
Updated on 06/10/2022
ELCA caps off dominant season with rout of Athens Academy for third straight state title
Dominant offensive line setting tone for top-ranked ELCA
Updated on 06/10/2022
By Luke Strickland
MCDONOUGH — Top-ranked Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy has dominated opponents this season on both sides of the ball. The Chargers enter Friday’s Class-A Private state championship game against Athens Academy outscoring opponents 52-5 on a per game basis.
Lost in the team’s dominance this season is often the performance of the offensive line. The group of Zack Jones, Gavan George, Evan Zember, Martin Yates, Cody Carder and Josue Arroyo, as well as fullback Micheal Bell, has set the tone all season for the unbeaten Chargers.
“We want to be tough and be physical,” said Jones. “I think the No. 1 thing as an offensive lineman is you have to be dirty. We’re not the nice guys or the pretty guys. Every day we hit each other, every single rep. We get after it. We have a saying ‘chop wood,’ so every play we hit and we hit. Teams have ended up buckling on us.”
It’s easy to see ELCA’s stats this season and shower the team’s skill position players with accolades, but none of it would be possible without a dominant offensive line. The Chargers average more than 365 yards rushing per game and have scored 69 rushing touchdowns. ELCA running backs average 9.7 yards per carry, which indicates that Josh Mays, Keaton Mitchell and the rest of the team’s ball carriers are often avoiding contact until they reach the second level of the defense.
The offensive line has also held up in the passing game. ELCA doesn’t throw it much, but when quarterback Brayden Rush has he’s been extremely efficient and explosive. The Chargers average 20 yards per reception and have 25 completions over 20 yards. Rush has had all day to throw and he’s taken advantage, tossing 20 touchdowns to just one interception.
Jones is the centerpiece of the line. Rush said that his senior tackle is often the calming voice in the huddle and makes sure players are where they are supposed to be pre-snap.
Jones and George were First Team All-Region selections, while Zember and Yates made it to the Second Team. All postseason accolades are well-deserved, but ELCA’s front is focused on success on the field, knowing that springing skill players to big plays means a job well done.
“Your offensive line is naturally your unselfish kids,” ELCA head coach Jonathan Gess said. “They don’t live for the limelight or the glory, they’ve probably never got it in their lifetime. They are out here because they love football and they love being a part of the team. It’s very important to me that I coach the offensive line. I spend time with those boys and I demand more out of the than anybody else because they are the anchor of our football team.”
Through 13 games this season, the offensive line has delivered. They will try to do it one more time in the state title game Friday night.
“I take a lot of pride, not just me but the rest of the offensive line,” Jones said. “If I do my job and somebody else doesn’t then I don’t look good. I take as much pride in me doing my job right as the other four guys. We’ve worked so hard to get where we’re at. It’s been an awesome ride.”
ELCA will play Athens Academy Friday at Mercedes Benz Stadium in the Class A-Private state championship game. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m.
ELCA hoping championship game experience will lead to third straight state title
Updated on 06/10/2022
By Luke Strickland
MCDONOUGH — For the fourth straight season, the Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy Chargers are practicing on the final week of the season in preparation for a trip to the Class A-Private state championship game this Friday.
ELCA will look to win its third straight state championship against Athens Academy. It will be a matchup of the two top ranked teams in the classification, and it will take place Friday at 10 a.m. at the new Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The Chargers have become a mainstay at the Georgia High School Association’s state football championships over the last decade. Head coach Jonathan Gess said his program’s experience playing in the big game is obviously an advantage that many other programs around the state don’t have.
“We’re used to it. The key is you can’t make the moment bigger than it is,” Gess said during Monday’s practice. “It’s a football game and you have to go execute to win it. That’s how we treat it. Obviously the school is buzzing and we get to go play at the Mercedes Benz Stadium, but that’s just part of it. We need to go enjoy that but we need to win the day on Monday, win it on Tuesday and treat it like any other game.”
ELCA’s opponent, Athens Academy, also has a rich tradition. Since 2004, the Spartans have won nine or more games nine times, including this season’s perfect 13-0 record. Athens Academy is one of the few schools in Class A-Private that can match ELCA’s dominance this season — the Spartans have outscored their opponents 40-8 on a per game basis this year.
“Athens Academy, first of all they have a great coach in Josh Alexander. He’s a dynamite football coach,” Gess said. “Athens Academy has always been a power in Class A football. Even before he got there, they had 10-0 teams, 12-1 teams. What they have is a great group of high school football players. I wouldn’t say there is any one superstar on the team, not to say that they don’t have college football players because they do, but when you turn on the film they’re all good. That’s what makes them great. They don’t stop, they keep coming after you, you’re not going to break their will or give up. Obviously they’re 13-0, so it’s going to be a great game Friday.”
This year’s ELCA team appears to be even more equipped to handle all that comes with playing in a state championship game than in previous years. The Chargers have multiple players on both sides of the ball who have played in each of the last two state championships.
“It helps a lot,” offensive lineman Zack Jones said regarding championship game experience. “I remember my sophomore year starting for the first time my eyes were wide going to the Dome. I was so nervous. Last year my nerves were calm and this year I’m sure it will be just another game.”
ELCA played those games in the Georgia Dome, which will make way this year for the Mercedes Benz Stadium. The game will also be played at an odd 10 a.m. start time, although ELCA has played each of the last three state championships at that time.
“It’s going to be fun to see the Mercedes Benz Stadium, I’ve never been so I’m excited to go,” Gess said. “We’re going to get there early and take it in. I’m sure once you get out there early, it’s a football field, it’s no different. It being in the morning, we’ve played in the morning before so we kind of know what to expect there. At the end of the day, you have to go play.”
If the Chargers can win Friday, they will become just the fifth program since 1990 to win three straight state championships. Thomas County Central did from 1992-94, while Parkview won it from 2000-2002. Buford has done it twice — from 2007-2010 and from 2012-2014, and Charlton County won three straight from 2004-06.
The importance of solidifying their place in history is not lost on ELCA’s accomplished group of seniors, who hope to add one more accolade to their already impressive list.
“It means a lot. I’ve played here since seventh grade. The foundation from the guys before us from guys like Issac Rochell and Andrew Williams, who built it — we want to leave that legacy behind us,” Taylor said.
One Step Faster - Phase 1 Results
Updated on 06/10/2022
Click on One Step Faster for Phase 1 Results
