.jpg)
Wlaf1450C-N Jamboree stepping stone for Cougars to start season vs. Lenoir City
By Clayton Carroll
JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – This season begins Taylor Ownbey’s second year at the helm of the Campbell County High School Football program. However, it’s Coach O’s first complete offseason, and the seniors’ first season with the same head coach for two years in a row.
TOP PHOTO: This photo is courtesy of WLAF’s Charlie Hutson with Eagle I hovering over Reynolds Field at a Cougar practice.
Ownbey was announced as head coach in April of last year. “This is our first true offseason since I’ve been here,” Ownbey said after practice. “I’ve been around this group of kids for a full offseason; putting in work in the weight room and during spring practice, and I’ve enjoyed it,” Coach Ownbey added. “I love being around this bunch.”
“We have a lot of guys getting more comfortable in their positions,” said Coach O. Ownbey mentioned senior quarterback Silas Weaver and junior running back Braydon Graham as two players who are really molding into true form. Ownbey has also noted Tyler Cook, Sam Sexton, and Max Boshears as other key offensive pieces, and Will Goins as a key factor in anchoring down the front line.
The Cougars have taken part in two scrimmages, one at Seymour and another at Knox Central Kentucky. Ownbey has been pleased with different areas in each scrimmage and noticed areas that need fixing. After the Seymour scrimmage, Coach O declared tackling as something needing improving. After Knox Central, it was stopping the big play that was the issue. On the flip side, the offense seems to be vastly improved from last season with the Cougars moving the football successfully and finding themselves in the red zone frequently in both scrimmages.
Now, Campbell will face two more opponents before the scoreboard affects the record book. “We basically have another full scrimmage, two quarters, one varsity and one JV, against Wartburg Central and another against Morristown West,” Ownbey stated. “We need more game time reps, and we’ll get that at Carson-Newman on Friday.”
The Orange-and-Blue travels to Burke-Tarr Stadium in Jefferson City on Friday night to participate in the 5 Star Preps Jamboree. Campbell will take on Wartburg Central at 6 pm, followed by quarters with Morristown West.
WLAF’s coverage team of Matthew Moore (producer), Aaron Hopkins (camera), Derick Marlow (director), Les Martin (play-by-play) and Brent Allen (color) along with former Cougar Jake Miller (sideline) send you the coverage of Cougar Football in the 52nd season over the WLAF-Doyle’s Tire Sports Network which spans ten WLAF media platforms. Watch games live over WLAF TV-1089 on Xfinity, 1450wlaf.com, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, Facebook, YouTube and Twitch. Listen in over WLAF Radio AM 1450 & FM 100.9 and Amazon Alexa. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-08/13/2026-6AM)