Dougherty Trojans to Host “Soap Bowl” Spring Game Friday at 5 p.m.

ALBANY — Spring football has arrived at Dougherty High School, and with it comes the first public look at a program hoping to take a meaningful step forward in 2026.

The Dougherty Trojans will host a spring scrimmage, dubbed the “Soap Bowl,” on Friday at 5 p.m., giving fans an early glimpse of a roster that head coach Uyl Joyner believes is beginning to take shape.

“We’ve got about 80 players out for spring work,” Joyner said. “It’s beginning to look like a real 4A team.”

The intersquad scrimmage will feature a mix of experience and youth, as the Trojans look to build depth and evaluate talent heading into the offseason. Joyner said the format will allow both established players and newcomers to showcase their progress.

“We are going to let the ones go against the ones, and then we are going to let the younger guys play against each other,” he said.

The “Soap Bowl” also carries a practical purpose. Instead of charging admission, fans are asked to bring liquid detergent or a case of water — a simple but effective way to support the program’s day-to-day needs.

“We did this a couple of years ago and got enough soap to wash these uniforms for a while, but it’s getting low now, so we decided to do it again,” Joyner said. “It just helps us keep a little money in the program.”

For a team coming off a 2-9 season, Friday’s scrimmage represents more than just a spring tradition — it’s an early checkpoint in a rebuilding process. With increased participation numbers and a renewed sense of structure, the Trojans are aiming to establish a stronger foundation before the fall.

Dougherty will wrap up its spring schedule next Friday night on the road against Thomasville, providing a final test against outside competition before turning its focus to summer workouts and preseason camp.