On Friday night the defending Class 2 state champion Appomattox Raiders football team returned to their home gridiron with head coach Doug Smith back on the Bragg Stadium sideline for the first time since 2019. The Raiders hosted the Liberty Christian Academy (LCA) Bulldogs in their annual Benefit Game, which is a joint fundraiser for both football programs.

Smith also coached at the Raiders' first preseason game last week in Bedford against Franklin County.

The Bulldogs, a Class 3 team, won Friday's exhibition game 21-6, but regardless of the score many people on both sides of the competition were just glad to see Smith back out on the field after being unable to coach from the sideline all of the 2020/21 season as he faced his own personal opponent - multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells.

Smith said he feels strong with no pain, and that returning to coaching after a year away felt as if he never left in the first place. However, the emotions did catch up with him prior to Friday's kickoff in the team locker room.

"I feel just as good as I've always felt. It's been great, it really has," Smith said. "I was talking to the kids today right before we went in, and I don't know maybe I'm just a baby or something, but I started getting choked up only because I couldn't believe I was here. I was so happy."

Tre Lawing recorded the Raiders' only score on an 18-yard quarterback keeper in the first quarter, a play that was set up by a 50-yard run from halfback JaQuan Walker. The extra point was missed, making the score 6-0.

LCA bounced back two plays from scrimmage later with a touchdown run to go up 7-6, and would add on two more touchdowns before halftime.

Several Appomattox players were missing from the game due to COVID-19 contact protocol.

Smith is currently uncertain about how many games he will be coaching this season, but is hoping that an upcoming test will bring positive news.

Note: The opening regular season game scheduled for Aug. 27 at Buckingham is in jeopardy, according to Appomattox County High School Athletic Director Chris Dodge. The Buckingham County High School website states "Due to positive COVID cases, Buckingham County Public Schools JV and Varsity Football activities ONLY are canceled through September 3rd and will resume on September 6th." It is not yet known what the Raiders' plans are for next Friday.

Find out more in the upcoming issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.