Today's interviewee is Lee County head coach Dean Fabrizio. His Trojans won the Class AAAAAA championship last season with a 15-0 record to defend its 2017 title.
Dean Fabrizio, Lee County head coach
1. What's the legacy of the 2018 team? What should it be remembered for? "Last year's team was truly a dominant one. I believe it was one of only three teams in history to go 15-0 and not have a game closer than 14 points. What makes it even more impressive is the fact that a hurricane really caused a lot of damage to our area right before our region schedule. These kids had to overcome a lot of adversity."
2. How do you feel about the GHSA moving the state finals to Georgia State? "'There are a lot of things to consider - logistics, finances, etc. I am confident the GHSA and [executive director] Robin Hines did their due diligence and made the decision that was best for schools and kids. I have always said if we are fortunate enough to make it to the state finals, we will play wherever and whenever they tell us."
3. What's the scouting report on the 2019 team? "We lost some great players off last year's team - 42 seniors. But we lost 40 seniors off the 2017 team, so we are used to having to replace a lot of seniors every year. That is the neat thing about high school football. Players graduate, but 14-, 15-, 16-year-old kids can develop a lot over a year's time. You lose good ones, but hopefully young ones grow and step up to replace them. Our quarterback [Kyle Toole], who is committed to Troy, is back as well as a lot of our skill kids. We have two Division I commits on our offensive line [Parker Rogers to Middle Tennessee and Wing Green to Georgia Tech.] Defensively we have to replace 10 starters, but we have a lot of kids we feel have a chance to be pretty good. Our kicker [David Beaver] is back, and he is a three-year starter, which is good."
4. When you came to Lee County in 2009, the team had just finished 0-10 and the program had won a single region title or never advanced past the second round of the state playoffs. What were the most essential catalysts that have made Lee County a state power? "I don't know if I can put my finger on one or two things, as there have been so many instrumental in our success. Right off the bat we have had great administrative support. The two superintendents we have had during my time here. Dr. Jason Miller and Dr. Larry Walters have been outstanding, as well as the two principals I have worked for, Kevin Dowling and Dr. Karen Hancock. In addition, our board of education has been super to work for. We have been blessed with outstanding assistant coaches and a lot of great players that have bought in to our program."
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