ATLANTA — In a gripping showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Calvary Day Cavaliers faced off against the Hebron Christian Lions with the hopes of clinching their first-ever state championship title. Despite a valiant effort, the Cavaliers fell short in their comeback attempt, ultimately succumbing to a 28-21 defeat in Wednesday’s private classification state championship game.

With 4:11 left on the clock and trailing by a touchdown, Calvary Day executed a surprising onside kick that seemed to breathe new life into their championship dreams. The Cavaliers successfully recovered the kick, appearing to seize the opportunity to level the score.

However, jubilation quickly turned to disappointment as officials reviewed the play and determined that the ball had not traveled the requisite 10 yards before being touched by Calvary Day. This reversal handed possession back to the Lions, thwarting the Cavaliers’ momentum.

The incident echoed a previous setback for Calvary Day earlier in the season, when a similar call of illegal touching on an onside kick led to their only other loss against Jenkins in September. This latest reversal seemed to haunt the Cavaliers once more.

Yet, the Cavaliers were granted a final chance. Demonstrating grit, they forced Hebron Christian into a three-and-out, regaining possession with 2:56 remaining. Starting from their own 14-yard line and without any timeouts left, the Cavaliers launched one last offensive push in pursuit of their elusive victory.

On fourth down with one yard to go, with just under two minutes remaining, quarterback James Mobley looked for his receiver deep, but his pass was intercepted, sealing the game.

Mobley finished the game 23/44 for 236 yards and two total touchdowns but had three interceptions.

Calvary has now played in the state championship game twice, this season and in 2013, but finished as the runner-up each time.

The game started in disaster for the Cavaliers, as a snap flew over Mobley’s head at punter, resulting in a Lions drive that began on the goal-line.

Hebron Christian punched the ball in, taking an 8-0 lead with 9:56 in the first quarter.

Calvary Day struggled to get any offense going until late in the first half, when down 21-0, the Cavaliers got onto the scoreboard with a Mobley 1-yard rushing touchdown. The halftime score was 21-7.

After making it 21-14 on a Ca’Den Jones 2-yard rush, Hebron Christian scored and extended the lead once more with 10:49 remaining in the game.

Calvary kept fighting, though, scoring an impressive touchdown with 4:11 left to bring them within seven, setting up the aforementioned surprise onside kick.

Mobley rolled to his right and hit receiver Ty Pinckney from 11 yards out. Pinckney reached overtop the defender and controlled the catch just along enough in the end zone for it to be ruled a touchdown and confirmed in replay. That score made the game 28-21.

Pinckney finished the game with six catches for 33 yards and a touchdown. Receiver MJ Knight led the team in yards with 74.

The victory gave Hebron Christian its second state title in program history and completed its title defense, winning back-to-back championships.

Calvary Day finished the season 12-2, reaching the 12-win mark for the fourth time in its history, and its first under first-year Head Coach Jason Cameron.

The Cavaliers will return much of their 2025 production next season, as their leading passer, top three rushers, top five receivers, their top tackler, sack leader and much of its secondary will not yet graduate.

In 2026, Calvary Day will be looking to make another run to Atlanta and capture a state title, all in a new region. The Cavaliers will be in GHSA 2A Region 3, with teams such as Savannah Christian and Savannah High.