Doug Davenport

When he reported for the first day of football practice for the 1969 season at West Fannin High School, Doug Davenport was greeted by first-year coach Doug Griffin. Playing for a new coach was nothing new for Davenport, as he had played for five different coaches since his eighth-grade season at Epworth Elementary School. His coaches were William Young Querry at Epworth, followed by Raymond Montgomery, Tom Foster, Gene Crawford and Doug Griffin at West Fannin. Doug respected and learned from each of his coaches. He remembers Raymond Montgomery telling him that "if you can make it on this field, you can make it in life." Doug Davenport became a starting offensive and defensive lineman as a sophomore. His debut as a 150-pound guard was auspicious, as he was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AA All-State Honorable Mention team and to the Chattanooga Times All-North Georgia first team. He was twice named Lineman of the Week by the Copperhill-McCaysville Jaycees. Doug continued his stellar play in 1968 and 1969, although West Fannin had very little team success. He was again named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-State Honorable Mention team as a junior and was selected as the team's outstanding defensive player each year. He was selected by the Jaycees as Lineman of the Week six times during his junior and senior seasons. As he began his senior campaign in 1969, Doug had grown to a hefty 175 pounds. In an attempt to add punch to the Yellow Jacket offense, Coach Griffin moved Doug to fullback when the team had the ball. He lined up at linebacker on defense. Doug scored the winning touchdown and ran for the PAT in the team's only victory, a 14-6 decision over Union County. In addition to his football exploits, Doug assembled an impressive resume during his time at West Fannin. He was class president three years and a member of the National Honor Society, and his classmates voted him the best all-around male student in the class of 1970. Marcia Arp, his high school sweetheart and future wife, was named the most outstanding female student. Doug's career goal was to become a football coach, and he graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1974. He then landed a job as a teacher and assistant football coach at Gilmer County High School in the fall of 1974. He was promoted to the head coaching position for the 1979 and 1980 seasons. At Gilmer, he established a weight and off-season conditioning program that helped the team to a 6-3-1 record and a playoff appearance in 1980. Fannin County High School principal Frank Henson contacted Doug in the summer of 1981 and offered him a position as teacher and head football coach. Doug accepted the offer and moved his family of four - Doug, wife Marcia and children Roxanne and Nathan - back home to Fannin County. The Davenport family grew to five when a third child, Alexis, came along in 1982. Doug continued his personal education, earning a master's degree in health and physical education in 1987. He was promoted to assistant principal shortly thereafter and was elevated to the position of principal at Fannin County High School in 1990. He remained as principal of his native county's high school for 17 years. He supported the athletics programs at the school, and the Fannin County girls basketball teams, coached by fellow Hall of Fame member Johnny Farmer, captured state championships in 1993 and 1999. Strong athletic genes seem to run in the Davenport family. Doug's son Nathan was a rugged noseguard for the 1995 Fannin region championship football team, and grandson Corbin, an all-around athlete, has put together an impressive football career in addition to winning a state championship in wrestling in 2023. Doug and Marcia are living the good life in the bucolic community of Epworth. Doug continues to stay in shape with a well-disciplined and varied workout schedule. They have seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and are closely involved in the activities of their progeny. They also have two Pomeranians that keep them busy. Please welcome Doug Davenport to the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame.