Americus-Sumter’s puzzle to solve: Lee County’s stout defense

Larry Harold knows all about strong high school defenses from his days as Roquan Smith’s head coach at Macon County.

The defense Harold’s Americus-Sumter squad will face Friday in Lee County just might take that “strong” label to a whole new level.

Lee County (3-0) enters Friday game at Americus-Sumter (1-1) having yet to allow an opposing offense to score a touchdown. Considering that two of those opposing offenses, Dr. Phillips and Peach County, participated in state championship games last season, the accomplishment is no small task.

“You don’t shut out Peach County,” said Harold, noting Peach County’s decade-long string of shutout-free games that Lee County snapped last week. “I was thoroughly impressed.

“What’s scary is that they are faster on defense than last year.”

For the season, Lee County’s defense has a negative rushing yards allowed number (minus-70), with Peach County (14 yards) the only team to post positive yardage on the ground.

Opponents have enjoyed a bit more success through the air, but not by much. Of the 125 yards allowed through three games, 80 of them came in last week’s 33-0 win over Peach County.

That’s where, relatively speaking, Lee County will be in for a bit of a test. Americus-Sumter quarterback Kierston Harvey topped the 200-yard mark in each of the Panthers’ first two games, a 17-14 overtime loss to Crisp County and a 43-7 win over Dougherty.

“We talked to the kids about staying focused early on and guarding against a letdown,” Lee County head coach Dean Fabrizio said about coming off strong back-to-back performances against Dr. Phillips and Peach County. “Coach Harold is doing a great job with his program, and he will have his team ready to play.”

Last year, Lee County rolled past Americus-Sumter 49-14. But the game served as a pivot point of sorts for Americus-Sumter, with the Panthers winning their final seven regular-season games to secure their first region title since Americus and Sumter County consolidated in 2004.

The Panthers should have plenty of time to build momentum. They won’t face a Region 1-4A playoff qualifier from last year until Oct. 12, when they host Northside-Columbus.

“It’s a tall task,” Harold said. “We’re excited to play them, and it’s a big rivalry.

“We’re going to let the chips fall where they may. It’s a good measuring stick.”