Photos: Jackson State, N.C. Central to meet in Celebration Bowl

Sports

Photos: Jackson State, N.C. Central to meet in Celebration Bowl

A look at the two teams in advance of the nationally-televised Black College matchup set for Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Prime Time Celebration: Deion Sanders is shown during practice Friday as Jackson State prepares to face North Carolina Central in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

'Coach Prime' led Jackson State to a 12-0 record and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

North Carolina Central head coach Trei Oliver, center, speaks to a member of the bowl staff as his team prepares for the Celebration Bowl against Jackson State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Friday, December 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

The Celebration Bowl will be the final game at Jackson State for Sanders, who was named head coach at the University of Colorado earlier this month. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders stretches in preparation of the Celebration Bowl against North Carolina Central at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Shedeur is the son of head coach Deion Sanders. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

North Carolina Central players practice in preparation of the Celebration Bowl against Jackson State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Friday, December 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

The Celebration Bowl will also be the last game at Jackson State for Sanders, who will join in father in Boulder, Colo. as a member of the Pac-12 program. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Jackson State defensive back Travis Hunter smiles during Friday's workout in preparation of the Celebration Bowl against North Carolina Central. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Travis Hunter was a member of the 2021 AJC Super 11 team as a senior at Collins Hill High School in Gwinnett County. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

North Carolina Central head coach Trei Oliver speaks to members of the media in preparation of the Celebration Bowl against Jackson State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Friday, December 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

North Carolina Central finished tied for first in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and received its Celebration Bowl invitation after its 48-14 win over Norfolk State Nov. 12. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Jackson State football team practices in preparation of the Celebration Bowl against North Carolina Central at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Friday, December 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Workers put the finishing touches at the Coca-Cola Fan Experience located at the Georgia World Congress Center International Plaza ahead of the 2022 Cricket Celebration Bowl game between SWAC champion Jackson State and MEAC Champion North Carolina Central at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, December 16, 2022. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Imani Lunda puts the finishing touches at the Coca-Cola Fan Experience located at the Georgia World Congress Center International Plaza ahead of the 2022 Cricket Celebration Bowl game between SWAC champion Jackson State and MEAC Champion North Carolina Central at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, December 16, 2022. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders speaks to members of the media before the Celebration Bowl against North Carolina Central at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Friday, December 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

North Carolina Central quarterback Davius Richard speaks to members of the media as they prepare for the Celebration Bowl against Jackson State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Friday, December 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders, right, practices in preparation of the Celebration Bowl against North Carolina Central at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Friday, December 16, 2022, in Atlanta. Shedeur is the son of head coach Deion Sanders. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Jackson State football team practices in preparation of the Celebration Bowl against North Carolina Central at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Friday, December 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

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Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Prime Time Celebration: Deion Sanders is shown during practice Friday as Jackson State prepares to face North Carolina Central in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

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