Camden has been lights out on offense and defense to start season
Bulldogs outscore opponents 96-6 in 2-0 start
Camden – That the Camden High School football team is off to a 2-0 start on the young season doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone. The Bulldogs returned basically all of their skill position players on offense from a unit that was outstanding a year ago.
However, with just four starters returning on defense, a few struggles might have been expected there. That hasn’t happened though. Camden opened the season with a 43-0 road victory over Myrtle Beach on August 18 and followed it with a 53-6 defeat of archrival Lugoff-Elgin on August 25.
While believing he had some good replacements to fill those holes on the defensive unit, even head coach Brian Rimpf has been somewhat surprised by its play.
“The defense has been playing really, really well,” Rimpf said. “The touchdown (against Lugoff-Elgin) was a defensive touchdown, so we have yet to allow an offensive touchdown in two games. We have forced 14 turnovers and we’re playing really, really well. It’s been fun to watch them.
“The way they’re making plays is a surprise,” he added. “We thought they were sound players and had experience. Of the new starters, two are seniors, four are juniors and one is a sophomore. They have shown they can make plays.”
The defense is led by senior linebacker Wilson Nash, who led the squad in tackles last year. The other linebackers are seniors as well in Tyrin Macklin and Machi Wilson.
Junior Jo Jo Crim is off to a great start as one of the cornerbacks. The rest of the secondary is comprised of juniors as well in Wyatt Thompson, Lavonte Williams and Javon Wesley.
Starting up front are seniors James Williams and Emmanuel Presbot and juniors Tanner Bracey and Dontrell Wilson.
Offensively, Camden returns seven starters from a unit that averaged over 35 points a contest. Senior quarterback Grayson White led the way by completing 142 of 231 passes for 2,157 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for 919 yards and 10 touchdowns on 128 carries.
The leading rusher in senior running back Averee Hickmon and the leading receiver in senor Jah Mayrant both return. Hickmon ran for 1,314 yards and nine TDs on 168 carries, while Mayrant caught 63 passes for 1,002 yards and seven touchdowns. Also returning is senior wide receiver Adrian Heriot, who caught 41 passes for 555 yards and five scores. Heriot had 141 receivign yards against Myrtle Beach.
Rimpf admits it’s nice to have the likes of White and Hickmon lining up in the offensive backfield.
“I feel like with Grayson White and Averee Hickmon back there it makes you feel comfortable,” Rimpf said. “There is a confidence about them that just rubs off the rest of offense. I guess that comes from playing in the (AAA) state championship game (as sophomores)."
The other starting wide receivers are senior Max Ford and junior Kevell Sutton.
The question mark on offense coming into the season was along the line. While there is work still to be done, Rimpf is happy with its performance to date.
“We were having to replace three starters, but it’s been good so far,” he said. “Our skill guys make them look good because they don’t have to hold their blocks for as long. They’re not precise, but they’re getting better.”
Carter Rimpf, the coach’s son, is the only senior on the unit at left tackle. The rest are juniors with Bryson Moses at right tackle, Zechariah Dozier at left guard, Jacob Anderson at right guard and Jamir Richardson at center.
Ford is handling the kicking duties while Heriot is the punter.
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