Dougherty, Lee County starting off season in big way

ALBANY — Hamp Smith was more than delighted to step up to the podium Monday.

Smith, the football head coach at Albany State for 24 years and the winner of nine SIAC titles, had plenty of stories to share. The big thing he wanted to express, however, was the excitement he had for the high school football classic bearing his name that will take place Friday.

“One of the deals Gov. (Roy) Barnes and I made, in this stadium there would be a game of the week, a high school game of the week,” Smith said at a news conference promoting Friday’s Dougherty-Lee County game at the Albany State Coliseum. “Now that’s happening, and I like that because it brings people together, have better understanding, and sportsmanship.”

The inaugural Hamp Smith Classic, scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday, brings back a rivalry that ran off and on from the late 1980s through 2013.

Dougherty has won 10 of the 16 games between the teams, a series called the Trojan Bowl based on the shared nickname. Friday’s game will be just the third meeting since Dean Fabrizio took over as Lee County’s head coach 10 years ago, with Lee County winning 49-32 in 2012 and 55-6 in 2013.

“Three years ago, when we were going to the Corky Kell (Classic), we started talking, and that was the start of the vision to have this event here,” Fabrizio said. There’s no better to name this event after than Coach Smith. He’s one of the true, true greats in the Georgia and national coaching community, probably doesn’t get his just due, and this is a great way to honor him and his impact he’s had on this area and all of the young men in his years of service and coaching.”

Dougherty, meanwhile, enters its first season under head coach Damien Gary.

“Coming from the college level and recruiting Lee County and this area, I know the significance and the impact this game will have on the community,” Gary said. “It’s a great time for Dougherty High School, a lot of new things are happening and a lot of great things are happening.”

Tickets for Friday’s game are being sold at the respective high schools for $7 through Thursday, with tickets being sold at the gate for $10, cash only. The university is charging $5 for parking, with spots available on campus and at the Albany Civic Center, with shuttle buses serving the Civic Center lot.

Stadium gates will open at 6 p.m., 90 minutes before kickoff.

“The ability to partner with both Dougherty County and Lee County to host an exciting football game featuring the best and brightest coaches from the community and the region is such an honor,” Albany State athletics director Sherie Gordon said.