The calm before the storm; South Georgia football ready for season

Crisp County, Worth County, Lee County and Dougherty High discuss expectations for upcoming season

ALBANY – Week One of High School football is right around the corner for most south Georgia teams, and for some schools, they’re prepared to do whatever it takes to get to a state championship.

Throughout the week, South Georgia Television Sports made a few stops to check in on the local teams, such as Crisp County, which is looking to improve on a 9-4 2021 season that saw the Cougars lose in the quarterfinals to eventual state champions Cedar Grove.

This year, however, the Cougars are feeling more confident now than ever before.

“We’ve been working our butt off all summer, and it’ll pay off during the season, you’ll see,” Cougars quarterback Ahmad Brown said.

“We’re more disciplined with it now. … Everybody likes to listen and take everything in, and that’s something the team could use.”

For defensive end Julian Fox, he believes the team’s growing confidence comes from the new coaching staff.

“They came in and put in a new blueprint, so everyone is coming around, trying to follow instructions so we can get this thing rolling.”

For Worth County, it’s a bit more of a learning experience since the team has not been to the state playoffs since 2016, which was also the Rams last season with a winning record, but quarterback Chip Cooper believes this group has what it takes to be back.

“The past five years we’ve had a negative record, I just … I feel like this group they care about the team and they care about winning.”

Both Crisp and Worth County will enter this season under new head coaches: Lawrence Smith for the Cougars, and Jeff Hammond for the Rams.

Two schools, however, have veteran coaches who know all about what it’s going to take to win it all this season: Lee County and Dougherty High School.

Lee County’s head football coach, Dean Fabrizio, said the Trojans’ goal has always remained the same, to win the most games the team can.

“That’s going to depend on our kids and how they work and how they want to do the right thing,” Fabrizio said. “We have high expectations at Lee County this year like we do every year. It’s something we embrace … and it’s up to our players to uphold that standard that was set before them.”

With an 11-2 record and going undefeated in the region in 2021, the Trojans look like a team capable of having the same outcome.

“We’re getting better every day,” Fabrizio said. “Can we correct our mistakes? Can we get a little bit better each day? We can run them around all we want, but it’s different when you’re blocking and tackling and playing at a fast pace, so it’s all about getting them back into game shape with those pads on.”

For Dougherty High’s Trojans, head football coach Johnny Gilbert is setting the same high expectations despite the team moving to 3A.

“We’re preparing each and every day,” Gilbert said. “We’re looking at film, working on fundamentals, and going right back to the basics.

“The biggest improvement I’m looking for us to do this year is to be a more disciplined team and eliminate penalties.”

Throwing over 1,700 yards as a sophomore last year is Florida State commit Kam Davis, who said he plans to surpass his numbers from last year.

“This year I just want to keep improving with my yardage and leadership skills,” Davis said. “I got to improve my health on the field also. I cramped a lot last year and had to miss some key plays.”

Davis said he plans to rely on his teammates this year to reach those goals, and it is important to him to return the favor.

“I always depend on my teammates because they play a big role into helping me get the yards and the stuff that I get because not only do they make plays but they can block for me,” Davis said. “I’m going to help get the ball to them and help them the same way they help me.”