THOMASVILLE — Tommy Holloman’s professional dream has come true.

Still, the opportunity for Thomasville’s assistant baseball coach to become a head coach didn’t come without some soul-searching. After all, Holloman’s move to Early County next season means leaving players and a program he has helped develop the past four years.

“I’m excited, but I’m sad,” Holloman said, adding that he will also take over Early County’s softball team after four years of leading the Bulldogs’ program. “This is a good group of boys right here that I’ve been around for four years.

“Still, this is what I want to do with my career. This is why I got into the business, to become a head coach.”

Holloman’s departure is one Thomasville coach Erik McDougald has dreaded. Still, it was something he knew was only a matter of time.

“I am excited for him and I know he’ll do a fine job, unfortunately,” McDougald noted. “Early County is getting a quality individual and a good coach, as well. So, I am excited for him in that regard.

“He will certainly be missed.”

That impact on Thomasville’s program will likely intensify the rivalry between the two Region 1-AA programs once Holloman is coaching from the opposing dugout.

“I’m sure the rivalry will take another step now, with me crossing over there,” he said. “It’ll be weird to look across and see McDougald in the other box wearing red and gold while I’m wearing blue and gold. That’ll be a tough one next year.”

Added McDougald: “It is going to be strange, just to see him in another uniform. It’ll be strange for the guys.

“It’ll be interesting, too. He knows me and I have an idea about him. He has a few more secrets on me there. He’s a little more withdrawn with his tactics.”

Also adding to the rivalry will be a friendly wager the two coaches have already agreed upon.

“Last year, we were hunting over at his in-laws’ place and we had been out all day and not doing well at all,” McDougald said. “We couldn’t find a turkey for nothing, and we finally turn a corner and there was one out in a little patch of oats and such. We kind of snuck up on the bird and set up, but we could never get the bird to come in. We just got frustrated. Finally, I went walking on down there ... he took off to fly and Holloman pops off three shots as fast as you can. I’m shooting, and the thing is, we don’t know who shot it.

“The bird got shot, but we have no idea who lays claim to the bird, so I guess we’ll just have to compete for it from year-to-year.”

Said Holloman: “We’re going to start that up. The rivalry is definitely going to get a lot bigger between the two schools.”