Sandy Creek Star Andrew Transforms from Rookie to 15-Game Starter and All-Region Selection

Incredible!

January 4, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on January 4, 2026

When Andrew walked into Sandy Creek spring practice as a freshman, he was a lanky, awkward kid with big dreams and little patience for the grind.

Two years later, he is a 15-game starter, a first-team All-Region selection and a state champion, the product of deliberate work, steady habits and a quiet shift in priorities.

His mother, Jason Jennifer Hollen, laid out the change in a proud post that reads less like bragging and more like a map of how a dream gets chased.

Andrew arrived at spring practice at 6-foot-1 and about 213 pounds, she wrote, “received a quick reality check” the first day, pushed around and knocked down.

Instead of folding, he did the opposite: he got up, put in the work, and kept showing up. That work is mundane in description but monumental in result.

Still Fighting for More!

Hollen lists the routines that reshaped him: waking at 4 a.m. for mass gainer shakes, speed ladder, and lineman drills before morning practice, staying after to lift, arriving early to help tape and set up equipment, and trading parties for extra film and training sessions.

He carried those habits into the classroom too, overcoming ADHD to maintain a 4.0 GPA and joining the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a student leader.

“He’s an example, mentor and great big brother,” Hollen writes. “He chose training, weight lifting, watching film, etc., instead of going to parties.”

That choice is the throughline of his sophomore season: accountability, sacrifice, and a faith-rooted humility that teammates and coaches noticed.

Andrew’s rise didn’t happen in a vacuum. Sandy Creek is a program that demands excellence, a program that just completed another state title run.

The Patriots beat Jefferson 27-7 to claim the GHSA crown, a finish that coach Darius Smiley celebrated: “Hats off to these young men and this coaching staff. This community. I am just so proud of these guys. That’s 15-0, second time in school history. Fifth state championship.”

Andrew is pictured with his teammates. (Source: Facebook)

Playing in that environment accelerated Andrew’s development and gave him high-level reps in meaningful games.

Community reaction to Andrew’s turnaround was immediate and warm. Angie Upson Bryant, who watched him grow, called him “a gentle giant with a great sense of respect and a great attitude,” noting the physical, mental, and spiritual gains she has seen.

Jeremy Morris, a fan who followed the season closely, highlighted a pivotal block that set up a breakaway and praised Andrew’s rapid progress “So much progress in such a short amount of time.”

James Campbell III remembered the first time Andrew flattened an opposing player, predicting a continued upward trajectory: “Onward and upward.”

Those voices echo what coaches and teammates already knew: Andrew’s impact was both physical on the line and intangible in the locker room.

A Serrano High classmate who shares P.E. with him described Andrew as “such a sweetheart,” underscoring that his growth hasn’t changed his character.

What makes Andrew’s story worth retelling is how ordinary the steps were and how extraordinary the outcome became.

Andrew is a standout player for Sandy Creek. (Source: Facebook)

He didn’t get there overnight or by talent alone. He chose the unglamorous routines, early mornings, extra lifts, study time in the car, and made them habits.

He leaned on faith and community, accepted guidance from coaches and gave back as a leader to younger players.

The results followed: starting in every game, earning regional recognition and playing a role in a state championship.

Hollen’s message to her son is simple and direct: keep chasing the dream. For Andrew, the chase is already paying off.

He’s a technician of his craft, a servant leader in his program, and a reminder that the biggest changes often start with the smallest choices.

“Love you son,” Hollen closes. “Keep your eyes on him, keep grinding, and the sky’s the limit.”

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Anish Koirala has loved sports since he was a kid. He grew up playing basketball and soccer, and that passion stayed with him over the years. Today, Anish works as a writer and editor, sharing his knowledge and love for the game through articles and stories. He uses his playing experience to make his writing clear, thoughtful, and fun to read.

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