Royal gives Dougherty hope for future - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

The future for the Dougherty High program looks bright with freshmen players like running back Ladarrien Royal.

Royal presented with this week's WALB Albany Area Player of the Week award by Dr. Paul Michas at the Orthopaedic Associates Clinic on Wednesday.

The freshman had over 100 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns in the Trojans win over Americus-Sumter.

It is the first win this season for Dougherty and their first year head coach Corey Joyner.

Ladarrien says the Dougherty coaching staff has done a great job keeping this young team playing hard despite their record.

"Our coaches stay on us all the time. In the weight room, on the field and the will not let us slack. There is no playing around or talking. It is strictly when we are on the field we have got to get to work", said Ladarrien Royal.

Dougherty will close out the 2012 season at region 1-AAAA champion Cairo on Friday.

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