‘We got a long way to go, but we have the time to get there’- CC Head Football Coach Mark Pemberton

By Clayton Carroll

TOP PHOTO: Head Coach Mark Pemberton and Caden Poston (right) lead the team’s end of practice prayer.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – On Thursday morning, the final football practice for the Campbell Cougars before the two- week time span without any organized sports activities (TSSAA Dead Period) took place on Reynolds Field.

First year Head Coach Mark Pemberton emphasized to the team that they need to “do it right” in the last June practice.

The best way to describe a Coach Pemberton led practice is it’s like a well-oiled machine; and to participate in one of Pemberton’s practices, one must have aggression, toughness, and work hard.

Coach said that there needed to be a “sense of urgency” about the team. He said that “we got a long way to go, but we have the time to get there.” In total, there are seven seniors on the roster, sixteen juniors, eleven sophomores, and twenty freshmen. Pemberton likes what he sees from the incoming class, saying that they have great potential.

There are 55 players on Campbell’s 2024 football roster, the same number it had entering the 2023 season opener.

Practice began Thursday at 7am sharp with the entire team warming up with various drills. Following this, the Cougars split up; lineman went into one of the most important parts of the Pemberton operation, the weight room. The skill players took part in numerous drills and mock plays.

Cougar linebackers work with defensive coordinator Taylor Ownbey

Halfway through practice is when the real fun began. The entire offense came together to practice the Wing -T, another staple of Coach Pemberton.

The Orange-and-Blue practice the misdirection-based hand offs featured in the Wing-T offense.

Following a morning of hard work, Coach Pemberton reminded the Cougars to keep active during the dead period, because when the Orange-and-Blue meet to practice again on Tue., July 9th, “it’s on.”

Cougars get reps in in the weight room.

After the hiatus, there are only seven Fridays from the start of the season. Campbell and Halls battle on August 23rd on Reynolds field. Les Martin and Brent Allen are set to send you coverage of the 50th season of Cougar Football on the WLAF-Doyle’s Tire Sports Network. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 06/2/2024-6AM)

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