Appomattox County High School introduced its new head football coach Friday afternoon, in a homecoming ceremony of sorts.
Doug Smith will take over a Raider team that went 10-2 a season ago, making it to the second round of the Group A Division 2 playoffs.
"We've got a younger group here coming through that this county is very excited about, so we're excited about it as well," Smith said after his introductory press converence. "We think that definitely our works cut out for us this year but we're looking forward to it and we're looking forward to the future."
He was chosen from a field of 36 applicants to replace Ben Martin, who left Appomattox to take over the program at E.C. Glass.
Smith was the head coach at Heritage for the past three years, but was let go despite two straight playoff appearances.
His wife is an Appomattox graduate and he has other close ties to the community.
"Of course we raised our kids and bring them down here to our in-laws, and have our church here," Smith explained. "We want to make this big-time football down here for them."
Smith will bring a group of his Heritage coaches with him, and will interview some of last year's Raider staff next week to fill out all positions.
