Photos: Creekside defeats Benedictine in Class 4A state championship

Sports

Photos: Creekside defeats Benedictine in Class 4A state championship

The Creekside Seminoles won a thrilling state championship game over Benedictine at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Benedictine linebacker Chris Stokes (right) makes a tackle on Creekside wide receiver Armani Hill as he carries the ball on a kickoff during the first half of their Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside running back Ced Kelley celebrates his touchdown against Benedictine during the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside free safety Anthony Hill (left) attempts to tackle Benedictine’s Bubba Frazier as he runs the ball during their Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside middle linebacker Tavarre Terrell (left) carries the ball into the end zone against Benedictine during their Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Benedictine running back Stanley Smart Jr. (center) carries the ball to the 1-yard line during the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside defensive tackle Daniel Holt (left) sacks Benedictine quarterback Stephen Cannon during the first half of their Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside running back Gary Walker (right) celebrates his touchdown against Benedictine with teammates during their Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Benedictine tight end Bennett Conaway celebrates his touchdown against Creekside during the first half of the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside quarterback Cayden Benson scores on a quarterback keeper against Benedictine during the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside quarterback Cayden Benson scores on a quarterback keeper against Benedictine during the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

The Creekside Seminoles hold their Class 4A state championship trophy after beating Benedictine 42-39 in a Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside players and coaches beat Benedictine 42-39, winning the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside head coach Maurice Dixon holds his Class 4A state championship trophy after beating Benedictine 42-39 on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside head coach Maurice Dixon signals his players during the second half of the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Benedictine head coach Danny Britt watches the game during the second half of the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Benedictine quarterback Stephen Cannon drops back for a pass during the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

The Benedictine Cadets face off against the Creekside Seminoles during a Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Benedictine quarterback Stephen Cannon (left) scrambles to recover a fumble under pressure from Creekside middle linebacker Tavarre Terrell during their Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Benedictine head coach Danny Britt walks the sidelines during the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside quarterback Cayden Benson passes against Benedictine during the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside wide receiver Damien Henderson (front) maneuvers through Benedictine’s defense during the second half of their Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside running back Ced Kelley (center) catches a pass during the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Benedictine cheerleaders keep the energy high during the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside running back Gary Walker (left) is tackled by Benedictine Bubba Frazier during their Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside fans show support for Seminole players during the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside running back Gary Walker celebrates the Seminoles’ 42-39 win over Benedictine during the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Benedictine running back Stanley Smart Jr. (right) shakes hands with Creekside wide receiver Damien Henderson at the conclusion of their Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside head coach Maurice Dixon and players speak with the media after beating Benedictine 42-39 for the Class 4A state championship win on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

The Creekside Seminoles beat the Benedictine Cadets 42-39 for the Class 4A state championship trophy on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside band members perform during the second half of the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside running back Ced Kelley carries the ball into the end zone for a touchdown against Benedictine during the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Benedictine fans cheer during the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside quarterback Cayden Benson watches the final minutes of the Seminoles’ Class 4A state championship game against Benedictine on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Benedictine Bubba Frazier catches a pass scoring on a two-point conversion during the second half of the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside quarterback Cayden Benson (center) holds the Seminoles’ Class 4A state championship trophy along with wide receiver Eric Paul Jr. (left) and cornerback Tyree Colzie after beating Benedictine 42-39 on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Benedictine quarterback Stephen Cannon (from left), head coach Danny Britt and Bubba Frazier receive their second place Class 4A state championship trophy after losing to Creekside 42-39 on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Creekside head coach Maurice Dixon holds his Class 4A state championship trophy after beating Benedictine 42-39 on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

1/37

Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Benedictine linebacker Chris Stokes (right) makes a tackle on Creekside wide receiver Armani Hill as he carries the ball on a kickoff during the first half of their Class 4A state championship game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Today's Gallery Headlines

Jimmy Carter ‘forever’ stamp

PHOTOS: 2025 AJC Photos of the Year

Coca-Cola first ad

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

Alonzo Herndon

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

More Galleries

jefferson, sandy creek

PHOTOS: Sandy Creek defeats Jefferson for Class 3A championship

Savannah Christmas Train Villages

PHOTOS: Savannah Christmas model train garden began under the tree

aajc 121725 class 3a-a private

PHOTOS: Calvary Day and Hebron Christian battle for Class 3A-A title

Fani Willis testifies

PHOTOS: Fani Willis testifies before state Senate panel