Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic Team Previews -- Prince Avenue Christian

The opening day of the Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic features Prince Avenue Christian taking on Callaway and South Paulding facing host Kell.

Between now and kickoff on August 13, we will look at each of the teams participating in this year’s Classic.

Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines

The Wolverines will be looking to return to the state championship under new head coach Jon Richt, who steps in after nine years of Greg Vandagriff at the helm. Under Vandagriff, the Wolverines made nine playoff appearances with six region titles (2016, 2020-24) and three state titles (2020, 2022-23). Prince Avenue has not had a losing season since 2009, and have double digit wins in every season since 2020. The Wolverines have one of the most talented rosters you will find across the state, but only time will tell if it will be enough to capture a fourth state championship in six seasons.

Richt will take over for his first year at the helm with great experience calling the offense, which averaged 43.14 points per game a season ago.

The Wolverines have a star-studded roster led by one of the best running backs in the country in junior running back Andrew Beard. Beard is a 4-star prospect in the 2027 class and rushed for 1,937 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024. Quarterback Ben Musser will also be another name to watch this upcoming season with the Wolverines. Musser threw for 1,472 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He was also excellent on the ground, rushing for 768 yards and eight touchdowns.

On defense the Wolverines will be led by Judd Shoemaker, a key returning starter. During his sophomore season, he finished with 49 tackles, four interceptions, four pass deflections, and two tackles for loss. Prince Avenue will also return linebacker Colin Durning, who had the fourth-highest total tackles on the team with 82. He also finished with three quarterback hurries, three pass deflections, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Prince Avenue Christian will be a tough team to stop offensively in 2025. Their offensive line has camaraderie with the return of veterans Mason Townsend and Gabe Prince and a bevy of playmakers in CJ Dockery, Hudson Hill, and Izak Koep. You will have to truly pick your poison when defending this quartet of playmakers, headlined by Beard.

Mascot: Wolverines

County: Oconee

Head Coach: Jon Richt (2025)

Coach’s School Record: 0-0

Coach’s Overall Record: 0-0

2024 Record: 10-4

2024 Region Rank: 1st

2024 Playoff Finish: Finals (L, 28-56, Hebron Christian)

Overall School Record: 184-58-1 (2005-24)

State Championships: 2020 (Private), 2022 (Division I), 2023 (Division I)

Key Returning Offensive Starters: QB Ben Musser, OL Gabe Prince, RB Andrew Beard, WR CJ Dockery, WR Hudson Hill, OL Mason Townsend

Key Returning Defensive Starters: DB Judd Shoemaker, LB Colin Durning

Returning Kickers: K Chip Dickens

Key Newcomers: WR Izak Koep

Offensive Formation: Spread

Defensive Formation: 4-3

School Enrollment: 750

Next up -- Callaway Cavaliers.

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