Cougars defeat Blue Raiders 8-7 in one half of play

TOP PHOTO: Campbell quarterback Luke Lindsay (2) and running back Gavin Owens (6) during Campbell’s scoring drive.

By Clayton Carroll

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – For the first time in the Mark Pemberton era at Campbell High, the Cougar football squad suited up and took to Reynolds Field for an organized scrimmage. This was the first opportunity for all the fans to see the 2024 Cougars in action. The opponent for Saturday’s game was the Blue Raiders of Cleveland.

The main question that most people had heading into the scrimmage was how the 5A Cougars would look. The the Orange-and-Blue performed very well against the 6A Blue Raiders.

The Mark Pemberton way is all about wearing the opponent down and maintaining possession of the football for as long as possible. The offensive attack is often run, run, run, with the occasional pass. That is exactly what the Cougars did on Saturday. At the half, the Orange-n-Blue led 8-7. Campbell’s 8 points came on one drive; a drive that featured a 20 yard Luke Lindsay pass to Gavin Owens. Caden Idles then capped off the drive with a short dash into the end zone. Owens also powered his way into the end zone for a successful two-point conversion.

Cougars gather around Coach Mark Pemberton at the end of Saturday’s scrimmage with Cleveland.

After halftime, Pemberton brought in the JV Cougars to battle the JV Raiders. According to Coach Pemberton, the second and third string guys have a ways to go, but it was good to get them experience early. The final score on the scoreboard was in favor of Cleveland 29-8. However, the first string Cougars defeated the Blue Raiders 8-7 in the first half of action.

Overall, Pemberton liked what he saw out of his squad. He said that they have a long way to go, but they are headed in the right direction. He also mentioned the importance of a good defense, which the Cougars showed on Saturday. He said “if the defense does their job this year, we will be in every ball game.” He also went on to say that “offense wins games, but defense wins championships.”

Practices will remain once a day, five days a week for the Cougars; but once school begins, practice will be moved to later in the afternoon, instead of the morning. 

Running back Gavin Owens (6) and center Robert Kirby (55) of the Cougars during a pause in the action versus Cleveland Saturday night.

Two more game experiences await the Cougars before the first regular season game on August 23rd with Halls at home. Campbell travels to Knox Central (Kentucky) on Friday at 6, and on Thursday August 15th, the Cougars head to Carson- Newman to take on Greenville in one quarter of action at the KOC Jamboree at Burke-Tarr Stadium.

Les Martin and Brent Allen are set to bring you coverage of all the live radio and televised Cougar Football action over the WLAF Doyle’s Tire Sports Network. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/05/2024-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRADY HATMAKER: INSTAGRAM @ bhat_vizualz)

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