Twelve years does not a lifetime make, but those years sure counted for a lifetime of impact during the tenure of Appomattox County High School football head coach Doug Smith, who announced his resignation Feb. 20 for the purpose of dealing with ongoing cancer treatment.

In the record books, Smith will be remembered as the coach who led the Raiders to five Class 2 state championships in six seasons against Clarke County in 2015, Richlands in 2016, Staunton in 2017 and Stuarts Draft in 2019 and 2020. During that span, the Raiders compiled a 32-game winning streak from 2015-2017, and eight won Dogwood District titles.

In 2016, Smith was named one of two winners of the U.S. Cellular 2016 Most Valuable Coach award, along with Allan Trimble of Jenks High School in Oklahoma. The award was presented at the Under Armour All-America High School Football Game in Orlando, Fla.

Smith is second on the all-time Appomattox football win list with 118, behind only Gordon Bragg, who won 144 games from 1948-1969.

While the championship-winning tradition Smith built is mighty impressive, his impact reaches far beyond the gridiron.

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