UGA star helped put Metro Atlanta high school football team in the limelight

HAPEVILLE, Ga. — Football coach Winston Gordon will sometimes open the trophy case at Hapeville Charter School.

One of the trophies is for the 2017 Georgia State Championship.

It includes a photo of the guys who won it.

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“Just great overall young men that transitioned to being men. Some in the NFL, some playing Division I. And one played for his second national title,” Gordon told Channel 2′s Berndt Petersen.

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Chris Smith wore number 1 when he played for the Hapeville Charter Hornets.

“I was just like, whoa,” teacher Chance Troy said.

Troy taught Smith geometry. She attended UGA, too.

“Chris Smith was a very intelligent young man. He was a leader in the classroom,” Troy said. “I have to add that next national championship pennant to my Georgia wall. Go Dawgs!”

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Gordon still keeps in touch with his former player and was texting back and forth with him while Channel 2 was on campus.

He said Smith and others who played on Hapeville’s title team are inspirations to all of the school’s students.

“I tell them all the time, I want you to be productive, responsible citizens. To come back and contribute to your community,” Gordon said. “With those guys getting diplomas and graduating from college, that’s the most proud thing I am.”

Gordon said he asks his former players to send him a jersey when they hit the big time. He’s waiting on a Bulldogs jersey from Smith and a jersey from the NFL team that drafts him.

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