Albany Herald | Mike Phillips

Aerial assault

Lee County is ready to renew another rivalry matchup with Albany High tonight in a game expected to be a pass-happy, high-flying affair.

DYNAMITE DOZEN PROFILE NO. 1: Kenneth Hurley, Lee County

For Lee County tailback Kenneth Hurley, the run to daylight started years ago when everyone told him he wasn’t big enough or good enough to play football, but Hurley — at 5-8 and 150 pounds — wiped away his tears and is now darting by his critics, running past his doubters and smiling all the way.

Monroe stays No. 1; Westover moves into Herald’s Fab 5 Poll

Monroe’s last-second loss to Brooks County doesn’t cost the Tornadoes the top spot, while Westover’s win against Class AAAAAA Tift County moves the Patriots into the Fab 5 Poll.

On the way back

Dougherty has a new coach and a new attitude as the once-proud program starts over on the road back to greatness.

‘It’s our time now’

Lee County’s senior class, which includes many starters from two years ago when Lee turned the program around, feels like it’s their turn to take the Trojans back to the playoffs.

In God he trusts

New Dougherty head football coach Corey Joyner knows the task of turning around a once-proud program that has fallen on hard times won’t be easy, but between his faith in his players, his faith in himself and — most of all — his faith in God, he truly believes it is a challenge that can be overcome.

KICKOFF 2012: Pirates plan to follow lead of Grant

With Marvin Grant — one of the most electric running backs in the area — leading the way, the Pirates are thinking more than just playoffs.

Moving on up

Two-time defending state champ Westwood — the two-time defending GISA Class A state champ — announces its arrival to Class AA on Friday by routing two-time defending champ Piedmont in Camilla, 40-21.

All grown up

Bainbridge football coaches have had their eyes on a group of young players coming up through the ranks for years, and now that they’re all seniors, it’s time for them to shine.

Brand new season, same expectations

After three consecutive appearances in the state championship game, Deerfield-Windsor lost in the state semifinals a year ago, and now the Knights want to get back to where they believe they belong.

Trojans to honor memory of Leesburg native, fallen Marine Sutton this season

In honor of former Lee County football player Steven Sutton, the U.S. Lance Cpl. Marine who died in action earlier this year, the Trojans will wear a patch on their uniforms this season.

KICKOFF 2012: SGA loses season opener to Ashford (Ala.) on last-second FG

SGA, which began its season earlier than any team in Georgia on Friday, loses a heartbreaker in the final seconds when Ashford Academy boots a 34-yard FG to upend the Warriors, 27-25, on the road.

Heart of a champion

The Worth County football team doesn’t have a lot of size this year, but the Rams more than make up for it with heart and determination.

Crisp County ace Tyler set for national stage

Crisp County ace Robert Tyler takes the mound today in the prestigious Under Armour All-Star Game in Wrigley Field, which will be shown live on the MLB Network at 1:30 p.m.

Lee Co. rising baseball star Bush earns national honor

Lee County sophomore baseball player Nick Bush goes through a series of national tryouts and is closing in on a spot with the USA Under-16 team.

Worth’s Hickox signs with Thomas University

Even though Worth County’s Ryan Hickox was 4-4 on the mound with a 2.46 ERA his senior season, he will be playing infield for Thomas University after signing a scholarship Monday.

New Lee County training center redefines the term ‘workout’

A new and innovative athletic facility opens in Lee County that offers performance training in speed, agility and explosiveness for sports specific athletes.

LOCAL SPORTS BRIEFS: Ex-Westover star WR Towns to walk on at Georgia; Deerfield athletic program second for GISA top honor

Westover’s Kenneth Towns was shunned by the new coaching staff at UAB, but now he is trying to walk on at UGA.

Albany not worried one bit about big offseason jump to 1-AAAA

Albany High makes a big leap from Region 1-AA to 1-AAAA this season, but it’s hard to find a single Indian who is concerned about such a big move up.

Grand Island wins annual Challenge Cup title; defending champ Doublegate finishes second

The scramble team of Deerfield baseball coach Rod Murray and former Lee County standout and current GSW star golfer Nate Gahman lifts Grand Island to the Challenge Cup title Sunday.

All for one, one for all

Leesburg is headed to the Dixie League World Series with a close bond and an all-for-one spirit that has made this ride even more special.

Tears of gold

Albany native Angelo Taylor has shed plenty of tears — of both pain and joy — and is one gold medal away from becoming the greatest 400-meter hurdler of all-time.

PREP ROUNDUP: Lee County star wide receiver leaves team; Lee County wins All Sports Trophy

Josh Cabrera, one of the top receivers in the area, leaves Lee County. (ADDS: Lee County winning the Region 1-AAAA All Sports Trophy)

Lee’s Fye leads Albany YMCA swimmers to state title

Nicole Fye, a 13-year-old swimming sensation, takes home six state titles and scores in three other events to lead the Albany YMCA Rapids to the state team title in the Georgia State Games.

Winging it

Larry Cornelius’ winding road has led him to Mitchell County, where he takes over a program left bare that he hopes will take flight with the Wing-T.

Albany table tennis star Ko dominates Georgia State Games

Albany’s Carlos Ko, one of the top hardbat table tennis players in the nation, walks away with two titles at the recent Georgia State Games.

Albany High LB Young getting lots of D-I interest after strong summer showing

Albany High’s Juwon Young, who is only a rising junior, is having a breakout summer and getting praise from several prominent D-I coaches.

Battle of the South basketball tournament tips off today at Darton

It’s time for the 16th annual Battle of the South basketball tournament, which begins at 9 a.m. today at Darton.

Ex-Albany High star Mullins signs with East Georgia

Albany High girls basketball star and Herald Super 6er Chasity Mullins signs with East Georgia.

Westover wins another Region 1-AAA All-Sports Trophy; Crisp County takes 1st in Director’s Cup

Westover wins its sixth straight All-Sports Trophy, while Crisp County takes home the Director’s Cup award for best postseason performance.

Former DWS star Young fails to make Golden State’s Summer League roster

Former Deerfield-Windsor star Andre Young’s bid to make Golden State’s Summer League team falls short, but he leaves the Warriors feeling good about the experience and his future

MLB ALL-STAR GAME: Posey, Hamilton humbled by being MLB fans’ favorites

Texas’ Josh Hamilton and San Francisco’s Buster Posey discuss what it means to be the AL and NL’s leading vote-getters for the All-Star Game.

HERALD ALL-AREA BASEBALL: Too close to call

Westwood pitcher Douglas Nobles and Lee County first baseman Daniel Nichols are co-winners of The Albany Herald Ray Knight Player of the Year award after a pair of remarkable seasons on the baseball field. (ADDS: 2012 Herald All-Area Baseball Team)

HERALD ALL-AREA TRACK & FIELD: Simply the Best

Westover two-time state discus champ Dontrevious Ousley and Monroe nine-time champ Mimieux Land run away with the Boys and Girls Track & Field Players of the Year, an award that — from this year forward — will be named in honor of Dougherty County Director of Athletics and longtime state track meet organizer Johnny Seabrooks. (ADDS: 2012 Herald All-Area Boys and Girls Track & Field Teams)

PEACH STATE PIGSKIN PREVIEW: Georgia Tech coach Johnson high on ex-DWS star Zenon

It’s early, but Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson and his Yellow Jackets are looking for a better run in 2012, and the coach hopes former Deerfield-Windsor star Tony Zenon can be a part of it.

PEACH STATE PIGSKIN PREVIEW: Las Vegas oddsmakers think UGA will have unbeaten regular season

Bookmakers in Las Vegas favor Georgia in every regular-season game it will play this upcoming year.

Westover's Ousley turns down great offer from FAMU, signs with UNC

Despite having a loaded offer from nearby Florida A&M, Dontrevious Ousely turns it down and holds out for UNC, which finally offered the state discus champ.

PEACH STATE PIGSKIN PRVIEW: UGA's Richt has high expectations for three former Southwest Georgia stars in 2012

Early County’s Shawn Williams and Mitchell County’s Justin Scott-Wesley could have memorable season at Georgia this year, as could Seminole County's Bacarri Rambo as soon as his offseason disciplinary issues are resolved.

Knoxville knockout

The Panthers hang on to beat lowly Knoxville, 74-64, to win the home field in the first round of the playoffs.

Dougherty’s Byrd signs with Lurleen B. Wallace

Shawntal Byrd, who was a scrappy, defensive-minded player for the Dougherty basketball team, signed a letter-of-intent to accept a basketball scholarship to Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia, Ala.

Home security

The Panthers, who are one win away from clinching home-field advantage in their first playoff game, play last-place Knoxville tonight in their final home game of the regular season.

PANTHERS NOTEBOOK: Panthers ready to be at full strength vs. Knoxville

The Panthers haven’t had anyone suspended after an altercation in their last game against Alabama and are rested after a much-needed bye week.

Noble victory

Westwood comes back from a 15-6 loss in Game 2 and hangs on to win Game 3 and the GISA Class A state title against Crisp Academy.

Wild, Wild Westwood

Westwood comes back and then hangs on to beat Crisp Academy, 8-7, in a wild opening game of the GISA Class A best-of-three state championship series.

GISA CLASS A STATE TITLE PREVIEW: For Westwood, 'It's about redemption'

One year after getting swept by their rivals from Cordele, Westwood’s baseball team badly wants revenge in the GISA Class A state title series against Crisp Academy, which begins with Game 1 today in Camilla.

Dougherty hoops star Anthony headed to Middle Georgia

Dougherty's Darrell Anthony, who averaged 15 points and nine rebounds a game this past season and also blocked an average of two shots, signs with Middle Georgia College.

AHS’ Sanford to pursue hoops dreams, law degree at Marion Military Institute

Larry Sanford, one of the Indians' leaders this past season who took the team in the GHSA Class AA Elite Eight, will play basketball at Marion Military Institute with the hopes of transferring to a bigger school down the road and pursue his law degree.

Mike Phillips

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