GHSA CLASS 6A CHAMPIONSHIP NOTEBOOK: Extra prep days nice for Lee County

LEESBURG — While fans look forward to Lee County High School playing in its second straight state football championship game, the logistics and planning can be overwhelming for coaches and administrators.

There’s transportation plans, making sure there is a venue to conduct a walk-through practice, making sure there’s enough hotel rooms and making sure the players are properly fed.

Lee head football coach Dean Fabrizio said he’s grateful for the few extra days.

The Georgia High School Association state football championships were originally scheduled for Dec. 7-8 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. However, when the Atlanta United soccer team earned the right to host the MLS Cup on Dec. 8, the GHSA state championships were moved to Dec. 11-12, giving all participating schools a few extra days of preparation.

“There are a lot of extra things and a lot of logistics,” Fabrizio said. “It’s fun for the fans, but for the coaches, it’s not always fun until it’s over with.”

Last year, snow and ice forced the postponement of Lee County’s state championship game with Coffee at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The contest was played at Lee County High School, two weeks after the semifinal round.

The team spent the night in Atlanta Monday night and will hold a light walk-through at the Georgia State Stadium on Tuesday.

The GHSA Class 6A championship game against Northside-Warner Robins will kick off at 8 p.m. Tuesday night and be televised statewide on Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB).

SCHOOL IN SESSION: The Trojans playing in Atlanta will slightly alter the classroom schedule for Lee County Schools. On Tuesday, students will go a half day in the morning and be released at noon. Then on Wednesday, students will start school three hours later than usual at 11 a.m.

“We’re going to have school both days,” Lee County athletic director Hank Wright said. “On Tuesday, we’ll be serving breakfast and lunch, then lunch on Wednesday. We feel like we owe it to our kids to be in school and have a chance to learn.”

ROBINSON A FINALIST: Lee County athlete Jammie Robinson has been named one of the six finalists for the Mr. Georgia Award and Little Peach Award presented by the Touchdown Club of Atlanta. The winner be announced at the Touchdown Club’s end-of-the-year banquet on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Wyndham Atlanta Galleria.

The Mr. Georgia Award is presented to the top senior in state. The other finalists are Blessed Trinity running back Steele Chambers, Rome running back Jamious Griffin, Cedar Grove wide receiver Jason Haselwood, Warner Robins quarterback Dylan Fromm and Douglas County defensive end Mataio Soli.

The free safety has recorded 88 tackles including five for loss and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He is averaging 36.7 yards per kickoff return with a touchdown, while he has returned two punts for touchdowns and is averaging 25.5 yards per return.

The awards are among several that will be presented. Others include the Bobby Dodd National Back of the Year, Bobby Dodd National Lineman of the Year, Coach of the Year Awards to the eight state championship head coaches, the TCA All-Star Team and the George Gardner Officiating Award.

HARRELL WILL BE READY: With Lee County’s record-setting offense this season hardly ever facing a fourth down, punter Reagan Harrell may be the most under-used starter on the team. While he also serves as the holder on extra point attempts and field goals for kicker Austin Beaver, Harrell has punted just 18 times this season. He is averaging 36.7 yards per punt with a long of 48. He has put seven inside the 20-yard line and two inside the 10.

In postseason play, Harrell has punted just twice.

QUICK HITS: If you haven’t purchased your tickets for the state championship game, tickets will be $29.50 each at the stadium. … Beaver has put 43 of his 72 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks this year. … Lee County has won a school-record 20 consecutive game since a 31-28 loss to Valdosta in the next to last game of the regular season in 2017. … Regardless of the outcome, Region 1-6A is guaranteed to win the state championship for the third consecutive year. Lee won the title last year, while Valdosta did it in 2016. Northside-Warner Robins is also a member of Region 1-6A. … Lee County quarterback Kyle Toole has thrown passes to 15 different wide receivers. His only interception of the season came in a quarterfinal victory over Creekview. … The Trojans are averaging 350.79 yards per game on offense, while the defense is allowing just 139.71 yards per game.