At William Campbell, echoes of the past mix with hopes for the future
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William Campbell quarterback Josh Rosser cuts through a path created by his offensive line at practice on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by Ben Cates.
http://www.newsadvance.com/content/tncms/live/#2
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Generals running back Andre Reid shoots down the field after taking a handoff from quarterback Josh Rosser at practice on Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by Ben Cates.
http://www.newsadvance.com/content/tncms/live/#3
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William Campbell's Josh Rosser jukes to his left in practice to avoid the defense on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by Ben Cates.
http://www.newsadvance.com/content/tncms/live/#4
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William Campbell's Josh Rosser gets off a pass just in time at practice on Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by Ben Cates.
http://www.newsadvance.com/content/tncms/live/#5
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William Campbell running back Andre Reid secures the football and eyes the approaching defense at practice on Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by Ben Cates.
NARUNA — It was a chilly fall night in 2002 and the football team from William Campbell was just trying to survive.
The Generals had decimated the competition that season. But this night was different.
That’s because there were few blowouts when William Campbell suited up against Gretna. This night was no exception.
Danny Broggin remembers the game well. In fact, it’s his favorite memory of Gretna from his playing days. At the end of regulation, the score was tied at 30. Then the Generals made a stand, stopping Gretna on the 1-yard line. The Hawks defense nearly did the same.
But William Campbell’s Josh Moon kicked a short field goal for the 33-30 win.
“They beat us every time after that,” said Broggin, who was a freshman that season.
That was a seminal matchup for the Generals. They would finish the season 14-0, waxing Appalachia 70-0 to claim their second state championship in four years.
Fast-forward to 2017 and William Campbell is at it again. The Generals are 5-0 for just the second time since ’02. They host Gretna in a battle of unbeatens on Friday at 7 p.m. Broggin is now the head coach. Everything that was old has been made new.
“It’s always been a big rivalry, but the fact that both teams are undefeated makes it that much better,” quarterback Josh Rosser said after Tuesday’s practice.
William Campbell has been playing sound and disciplined football this season. Now it’s crunch time. Friday’s game marks the first of a three-game stretch that includes games against Gretna (6-0), Appomattox (4-1) and Dan River (3-2), Dogwood District powerhouses all.
“The next three weeks are actually going to describe if we’re legit or not,” running back and middle linebacker Andre Reid said.
Reid has proven the consummate defender for WC this year, with nearly 100 tackles already to his credit.
“Win and win big,” he said of his goals for the rest of the regular season. “We just don’t want to skate by teams like Gretna, Appomattox and Dan River. We want to beat them and let the state know that we’re legit.”
Rosser has shown defensive prowess too, but it’s his offensive numbers that stick out the most. The senior has thrown for 843 yards and 14 touchdowns, while also rushing for 913 yards on just 62 carries (14.7 yards per carry) and an additional 12 TDs.
Last week, he helped WC pull out a tough eight-point win against Parry McCluer with 251 rushing yards and four scores. The second half of that game was 2017 football in a nutshell for the Generals. They ran just eight plays on offense and managed to score 22 points in 24 minutes.
“We’re pleased,” Broggin said of the first half of the season, “but we’re never satisfied.”
A win against Gretna, though, would be a major marker on the road toward satisfaction.
Players at both schools expect a fierce battle. Pierre West, one of Campbell’s lead receivers, will play in his fourth Gretna-Campbell game.
“A lot of trash talk,” he said, when asked what he expects Friday night.
Reid remembers going to Gretna games at Campbell as a kid. Like plenty of other fans, he’d have to walk from a nearby church because parking was so scarce.
“That’s how big the rivalry was,” he said. “I’m just happy the hype has gotten back to the community. The rivalry’s back and I’m just excited to be on the field instead of the stands.”
Broggin knows all too well about the bragging rights at stake. And he knows about undefeated seasons, too. That 2002 team featured VHSL-record setters like Cedric Peerman, Shea Boyd and even Moon, the kicker, who is still ranked second for single-season extra points with 89.
That field goal against Gretna, though, was the only one Moon had that year.
“It’s good to get this rivalry going,” Broggin said, “back to the way it once was.”
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William Campbell quarterback Josh Rosser cuts through a path created by his offensive line at practice on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by Ben Cates.
http://www.newsadvance.com/content/tncms/live/#2
Buy Now
Generals running back Andre Reid shoots down the field after taking a handoff from quarterback Josh Rosser at practice on Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by Ben Cates.
http://www.newsadvance.com/content/tncms/live/#3
Buy Now
William Campbell's Josh Rosser jukes to his left in practice to avoid the defense on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by Ben Cates.
http://www.newsadvance.com/content/tncms/live/#4
Buy Now
William Campbell's Josh Rosser gets off a pass just in time at practice on Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by Ben Cates.
http://www.newsadvance.com/content/tncms/live/#5
Buy Now
William Campbell running back Andre Reid secures the football and eyes the approaching defense at practice on Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by Ben Cates.
NARUNA — It was a chilly fall night in 2002 and the football team from William Campbell was just trying to survive.
The Generals had decimated the competition that season. But this night was different.
That’s because there were few blowouts when William Campbell suited up against Gretna. This night was no exception.
Danny Broggin remembers the game well. In fact, it’s his favorite memory of Gretna from his playing days. At the end of regulation, the score was tied at 30. Then the Generals made a stand, stopping Gretna on the 1-yard line. The Hawks defense nearly did the same.
But William Campbell’s Josh Moon kicked a short field goal for the 33-30 win.
“They beat us every time after that,” said Broggin, who was a freshman that season.
That was a seminal matchup for the Generals. They would finish the season 14-0, waxing Appalachia 70-0 to claim their second state championship in four years.
Fast-forward to 2017 and William Campbell is at it again. The Generals are 5-0 for just the second time since ’02. They host Gretna in a battle of unbeatens on Friday at 7 p.m. Broggin is now the head coach. Everything that was old has been made new.
“It’s always been a big rivalry, but the fact that both teams are undefeated makes it that much better,” quarterback Josh Rosser said after Tuesday’s practice.
William Campbell has been playing sound and disciplined football this season. Now it’s crunch time. Friday’s game marks the first of a three-game stretch that includes games against Gretna (6-0), Appomattox (4-1) and Dan River (3-2), Dogwood District powerhouses all.
“The next three weeks are actually going to describe if we’re legit or not,” running back and middle linebacker Andre Reid said.
Reid has proven the consummate defender for WC this year, with nearly 100 tackles already to his credit.
“Win and win big,” he said of his goals for the rest of the regular season. “We just don’t want to skate by teams like Gretna, Appomattox and Dan River. We want to beat them and let the state know that we’re legit.”
Rosser has shown defensive prowess too, but it’s his offensive numbers that stick out the most. The senior has thrown for 843 yards and 14 touchdowns, while also rushing for 913 yards on just 62 carries (14.7 yards per carry) and an additional 12 TDs.
Last week, he helped WC pull out a tough eight-point win against Parry McCluer with 251 rushing yards and four scores. The second half of that game was 2017 football in a nutshell for the Generals. They ran just eight plays on offense and managed to score 22 points in 24 minutes.
“We’re pleased,” Broggin said of the first half of the season, “but we’re never satisfied.”
A win against Gretna, though, would be a major marker on the road toward satisfaction.
Players at both schools expect a fierce battle. Pierre West, one of Campbell’s lead receivers, will play in his fourth Gretna-Campbell game.
“A lot of trash talk,” he said, when asked what he expects Friday night.
Reid remembers going to Gretna games at Campbell as a kid. Like plenty of other fans, he’d have to walk from a nearby church because parking was so scarce.
“That’s how big the rivalry was,” he said. “I’m just happy the hype has gotten back to the community. The rivalry’s back and I’m just excited to be on the field instead of the stands.”
Broggin knows all too well about the bragging rights at stake. And he knows about undefeated seasons, too. That 2002 team featured VHSL-record setters like Cedric Peerman, Shea Boyd and even Moon, the kicker, who is still ranked second for single-season extra points with 89.
That field goal against Gretna, though, was the only one Moon had that year.
“It’s good to get this rivalry going,” Broggin said, “back to the way it once was.”
