Battle-tested Lee County Trojans ready for final tuneup

LEESBURG — Lee County will enter the playoffs with no shortage of experience under pressure. The Trojans have faced powerful opponents, climbed out of double-digit deficits and learned how to win when the first half did not go their way.

Dean Fabrizio expects that education to serve them well.

“I would hope we have improved in all phases of the game since August,” the Lee County coach said. “One thing is for sure: With the schedule we played, we are battle and big-game tested.”

Before the postseason arrives, the Trojans have one more test — and plenty riding on it.

No. 3 Lee County (8-1) closes the regular season Friday night against region rival Houston County (5-4) in Leesburg. Coming off an open week, the Trojans will try to secure their ninth victory and protect a favorable playoff position.

Lee County is ranked third in the GHSF poll but holds the No. 2 spot in the GHSA postseason power rankings that determine playoff placement. Maintaining that position would put the Trojans in line to remain in Leesburg through the playoff rounds leading to the state championship game.

That opportunity starts with handling the Bears.

“Being in this region and playing the schedule we have, we understand that we need to give our complete focus to that week’s opponent,” Fabrizio said.

The schedule has reinforced that lesson. So have the moments when Lee County had to decide how it would respond to adversity.

Two stand out for Fabrizio: halftime against Miami Carol City and halftime against Sequoyah. In both games, the Trojans trailed talented opponents by double digits.

Neither deficit shook them.

“No one panicked,” Fabrizio said. “Our leaders stepped up, everyone stuck to the plan, we made some corrections and had big second halves in both to win.”

Those victories revealed something about a team whose senior class supplies much of its talent and leadership. The group includes Jaden Upshaw, Carter Blackwell, Jace Murray, Dominique Ball, Jordan Bush, Greg Batson, Shavezz Dixon, Larry Mosely and Larry Jackson.

Upshaw has made his mark in the school record book, setting Lee County’s career receptions record. He has caught 186 passes for 2,734 yards and 27 touchdowns.

But the Trojans’ ability to regroup against Carol City and Sequoyah showed the value of leadership beyond the statistics. When they needed corrections, their experienced players helped keep the team focused long enough to make them.

The open week offered another opportunity to address mistakes, along with time to rest players before the final regular-season push.

“It gives you a chance to work on some things maybe you can’t devote as much time to during a regular game week,” Fabrizio said.

The priority remained improvement. An 8-1 record has given Lee County a strong position, but Fabrizio wants his players continuing to sharpen their execution with every practice.

Houston County will provide a measure of that progress, with running back Austin Stinson leading the challenge. Stinson, who wears No. 0, has drawn nearly 30 Division I offers and is committed to Colorado State. He has carried 199 times and scored 27 times with 1,685 yards this season.

“Houston is very well coached,” Fabrizio said. “They have an excellent RB in No. 0, a returning starter at QB and a lot of good players on both sides of the ball.”

For a Lee County team with postseason ambitions, Friday brings a chance to turn weeks of difficult lessons into another victory — and give its accomplished senior class more football to play at home.