Mars Hill Bible Claims AHSAA Class 3A State Title in Fourth Quarter Thriller

Panthers Defeat Houston Academy 50-43 with Explosive Fourth Quarter

BIRMINGHAM, AL – Mars Hill Bible quarterback William Mann delivered the decisive moment in an action-packed 3A state championship matchup, sprinting 75 yards for a game-changing touchdown during Thursday’s AHSAA Class 3A Super 7 finals at Protective Stadium.

“The coaches called the perfect play,” said Mann, reflecting on his pivotal run. “No one saw it coming. I was just fast enough not to get caught. I could feel them about to catch me.”

Mann’s run highlighted a wild fourth quarter that saw both teams combine for 49 points. Mars Hill (14-1) battled past Houston Academy (13-2) in the 50-43 shootout, marking the Panthers’ first 3A state title and their third championship overall in five years.

Nearly 1,000 Yards of Offense and a Fourth Quarter for the Ages

The offensive showcase included 987 combined yards—501 from Houston Academy and 486 from Mars Hill—with standout performances by players on both sides. Houston Academy quarterback Kadyn Mitchell threw for 388 yards and four touchdowns, while Mars Hill’s running backs Hudson Higgins and Caden Chandler each surpassed 150 rushing yards.

Mars Hill never punted throughout the game and erased an early 12-0 deficit, scoring on seven of their final eight drives. “I think the fans, and everybody got their money’s worth,” said Mars Hill coach Darrell Higgins.

With the score tied 29-29, Houston Academy seemed poised to take the lead midway through the fourth quarter when Hughes Williams recovered a fumble and ran it into the end zone. However, video review overturned the call, ruling the Mars Hill ball carrier down before the drop.

Two plays later, Mann faked a handoff and dashed 75 yards for the go-ahead touchdown, giving Mars Hill a 36-29 lead. On the following Houston Academy drive, Mars Hill’s Cam Isbell scooped up a fumble and returned it 40 yards for another touchdown, extending their lead to 43-29 with under six minutes to go.

“Our game is about excitement, emotion, and momentum,” said Houston Academy coach Eddie Brundidge. “That could have been a key moment if [the fumble call] hadn’t been overturned.”

Mars Hill Bible and Houston Academy Shine in Championship Battle

The back-and-forth clash didn’t stop there. Both teams traded three more touchdowns in the closing minutes, but Mars Hill held on for the thrilling 50-43 win.

Hudson Higgins earned MVP honors after racking up 200 rushing yards on 23 carries with three touchdowns, including scoring runs of 12, 6, and 7 yards. Caden Chandler added 172 rushing yards on 23 attempts with two touchdowns of his own.

“They did a great job of running that wing-T offense,” Brundidge said about Mars Hill’s strategy, which tallied 445 rushing yards on 49 carries.

Houston Academy’s Mitchell completed 19-of-25 passes for 388 yards and four touchdowns. Top receiver Gabe Glover hauled in seven receptions for 180 yards, including touchdowns of 69 and 62 yards. Riggs Hickey and Whit Price also caught touchdown passes, and Andrew Gil contributed two short rushing touchdowns.

Defensively, Houston Academy’s Houston Lee recorded ten tackles, while Mars Hill’s Tanner Caudle led his team with 8.5 tackles. Isbell added 7.5 tackles to complement his game-changing fumble-return touchdown.

Houston Academy’s First Title Bid Comes Up Just Short

Houston Academy, appearing in its first championship game since 1973, fell short of claiming its first blue map. Despite their strong effort, Brundidge acknowledged that key plays shaped the outcome.

Mars Hill, meanwhile, added a Class 3A championship to their growing legacy. The program, which began in 2014, already boasts a 1A title won in 2018 and a 2A title earned in 2020. “What’s the magic sauce? There is no magic sauce,” said Higgins. “It’s the kids at Mars Hill. We do it for each other. It’s a big family at Mars Hill.”

More Than a Game

Houston Academy played with a sticker on their helmets honoring sophomore teammate Martin Andre, who underwent emergency brain surgery following a medical emergency during last week’s semifinal game. Andre remains hospitalized in Birmingham at Children’s of Alabama.

The 3A championship game was part of Thursday’s triple-header at Protective Stadium, with the Class 5A title game between Moody and Montgomery-Catholic scheduled for later in the evening. Friday’s championship lineup features matchups for the 4A, 2A, and 6A crowns.