They win. A lot. If you follow high school ball in Georgia, you already know that Prince Avenue Christian School football isn't just another private school program with nice jerseys and a manicured field. It's a machine. Located out in Bogart, just a stone's throw from Athens, this program has shifted from being a "competitive small school" to a legitimate statewide powerhouse that keeps defensive coordinators awake at night. Honestly, it’s kind of ridiculous how consistent they’ve become under Greg Vandagriff.
Winning one state title is hard. Repeating is a nightmare. But Prince Avenue? They’ve turned the Class A Division I (and formerly Class A Private) landscape into their own personal playground.
The Vandagriff Effect and the Quarterback Factory
You can't talk about Prince Avenue Christian School football without talking about the name Vandagriff. When Greg Vandagriff took over as head coach in 2016, the trajectory of the program changed forever. It wasn't just about discipline; it was about an aggressive, modern offensive philosophy that most high schools simply can't keep up with.
Then there’s Brock.
Brock Vandagriff, the coach’s son and former five-star recruit, basically rewrote the record books before heading to UGA and later Kentucky. He wasn't just a "system QB." He was the system. His ability to extend plays and make NFL-caliber throws put Bogart on the national recruiting map. But here is the thing that trips people up: everyone thought the dominance would dip once Brock graduated. It didn't.
Aaron Philo stepped in and didn't just maintain the status quo—he shattered it. Philo eventually broke the state record for career passing yards, a record previously held by Trevor Lawrence. Think about that for a second. A kid from a 1A school in Bogart surpassed the marks set by an NFL first-overall pick. It proves that the "Air Raid" or spread concepts they run aren't just about one superstar athlete. It’s a culture of quarterback development.
It’s Not Just About the Offense
People love the flash. They love the 50-point games and the 400-yard passing performances. But if you watch the tape from their recent championship runs, like the 2023 victory over Bryan County or the battles against Swainsboro, you see a defense that’s surprisingly mean.
👉 See also: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
They play fast.
Because the offense scores so quickly, the defense is often back on the field sooner than they’d like. That requires a specific type of conditioning and a "bend but don't break" mentality that emphasizes turnovers over pure yardage suppression. You'll see safeties playing downhill and linebackers who might be undersized by 7A standards but are faster than almost anyone they line up against.
The 2020, 2022, and 2023 state championships weren't flukes. They were the result of a program that has figured out how to maximize "tweeners"—players who might be too small for the SEC but are absolute terrors at the high school level.
The "Private School" Stigma and the Move to GHSA Division I
There’s always been noise. You hear it in the stands and on the message boards. People complain that private schools like Prince Avenue have an unfair advantage. The GHSA has wrestled with this for years, leading to the "multipliers" and the eventual reclassification that pushed schools like PACS into different competitive brackets to level the playing field.
But does it actually matter?
Prince Avenue Christian School football players don't seem to care which division they're in. Whether they are playing traditional rivals or being forced to jump up and play larger public schools, the result is usually the same. They out-execute people. The coaching staff is notoriously detail-oriented. You’ll see them running plays with such precision that it looks like a college walkthrough.
✨ Don't miss: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
It’s also about the facilities. Let’s be real. The weight room and the training staff at Prince Avenue are better than what some small colleges have. When you combine that kind of investment with a community that treats Friday nights like a religious experience, you get a juggernaut.
The Atmosphere at Wolverine Stadium
If you’ve never been to a home game in Bogart, you’re missing out on pure Americana. It’s loud. It’s purple. It’s incredibly intense.
The stadium isn't the largest in the state, but the proximity of the stands to the field makes it feel like the fans are right on top of the players. There’s this sense of expectation now. A decade ago, a deep playoff run was a "great season." Now? If they aren't playing in the Benz or at a neutral site for a trophy in December, the season feels unfinished. That’s a heavy burden for teenagers to carry, but they seem to thrive on it.
Why the Success is Sustainable
High school football is usually cyclical. A group of talented seniors graduates, and the team goes 4-6 for a few years while rebuilding. Prince Avenue has avoided this "valley" for nearly a decade.
- Middle School Integration: The varsity coaches aren't just looking at the high schoolers. They have a vertical integration with the middle school program. By the time a kid hits 9th grade, he already knows the terminology, the route tree, and the expectations.
- The "Next Man Up" Quarterback Room: They’ve created a destination for QBs. If you are a young gunslinger in North Georgia, you want to play for Vandagriff. You know you’re going to throw the ball 35 times a game.
- Strength and Conditioning: They don't just lift weights; they train for the specific high-tempo style they play.
What Most People Get Wrong About PACS
Some folks think it’s just about "buying" a team. That’s a lazy take. While being a private school has its perks, you still have to coach those kids. You still have to convince a 16-year-old to wake up at 5:00 AM in July to run sprints.
The reality is that Prince Avenue Christian School football is successful because they have a singular vision from the administration down to the water boys. They aren't trying to be a "running" team one year and a "passing" team the next. They have an identity. They are going to spread you out, find your slowest linebacker, and exploit that matchup until you cry uncle.
🔗 Read more: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
How to Follow the Wolverines This Season
If you’re trying to keep up with the team, you’ve got a few options.
The school is very active on social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. They usually stream their games through the NFHS Network, though some big matchups get picked up by local Georgia sports broadcasters. If you’re a scout or just a hardcore fan, pay attention to the sophomore and junior classes. The "stars" might change names, but the production rarely dips.
Keep an eye on the region standings. Even when they play "up" in classification, they tend to dominate the local schedule, often winning by margins that trigger the running clock by the third quarter. It’s dominant, sometimes boringly so, unless you appreciate the technical beauty of a perfectly executed screen pass.
What to Watch For Next
As the GHSA continues to tweak its rules regarding private vs. public schools and NIL starts to trickle down into the high school conversation in various states, Prince Avenue is a school to watch. They represent the modern era of high school sports: high investment, high expectation, and high output.
Whether you love them or hate them, you have to respect the blueprint. They didn't just stumble into being a top-tier program. They built it, brick by brick, pass by pass.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Recruits:
- Check the Schedule Early: The marquee non-region games often sell out or have limited seating for visiting fans. Plan your trips to Bogart at least two weeks in advance.
- Watch the Film: For aspiring quarterbacks, watching Philo or Vandagriff’s high school tape is a masterclass in pocket presence and eye discipline.
- Monitor Reclassification News: Stay tuned to the GHSA's biennial reclassification meetings, as Prince Avenue is often at the center of the "competitive balance" debate, which could change who they play in the playoffs.
- Attend a Rivalry Game: If you want the full experience, find when they play local rivals like Athens Academy. The intensity in those games is unmatched in Class A ball.