By Rex Kirts
All the hard work, from the clanging and banging of the weight room to the toil in the heat and dust of the practice field, are beginning to pay off for South senior linebacker Jon Campbell.
The improvement has been gradual. There were lessons to be learned because of the coaching change to Kikrk Kennedy's system, and Campbell came along to the point where he has been named a game captain for Friday's Conference Indiana matchup against Columbus North.
All the hard work, from the clanging and banging of the weight room to the toil in the heat and dust of the practice field, are beginning to pay off for South senior linebacker Jon Campbell.
The improvement has been gradual. There were lessons to be learned because of the coaching change to Kikrk Kennedy's system, and Campbell came along to the point where he has been named a game captain for Friday's Conference Indiana matchup against Columbus North.
Jon Campbell
Friday is a chance for South to snap an unusual and perplexing losing streak. The Panthers haven't won a home game last season or this.
It won't be easy. Columbus has been too strong for South several times in recent years, including last year when the Panthers absorbed a terrible pounding in the rain at Columbus. The Panthers head into the game with a 1-6 record and 1-4 mark in the conference. Columbus is 5-2, 3-2.
"COLUMBUS IS pretty good,"said Campbell, 5-10, 180. "They're a physical team.
"We want to come back from last year. We want to show Columbus that wasn't the team we are. We're going to come out on our home field . . . it's Senior Night."
Campbell's strengths are his work ethic and enthusiasm.
"He gives you all he's got," Kennedy said. "He's a hard-working kid in the weight room and the practice field. You've got to respect a kid like that."
The Panthers have gone through difficult times this season, and those who remain on the 34-man roster are better than they were at the start of the year.
"I've stuck it through," Campbell said of ascending to the game captain's role. "I've tried to be vocal, and I always try to help out Sarpa (Alex, a captain and linebacker). I always check my notes every day at lunch with coach Dean (Walendzak, the defensive coordinator)."
Campbell is playing better now, Kennedy said. "He's starting to grasp the concepts of our defense now. Outside linebacker requires a lot of preparation and a lot of adjustment in the game."
LEARNING ALL HE CAN is important not only for Campbell now but for his future. He may become a coach, either in football or baseball.
"I'm there to do my job, do what the coaches say," Campbell said. "I'm just playing football - that's what matters to me."
Coaches say if teams don't improve each week they go backwards. Campbell is going forward, along with the team.
"I've tried to work hard week in and week out. I've tried to play smart," Campbell said. "It's hard going against a team that runs the iso one week and then play teams like Lawrence Central and Pike (which run the spread). You play inside against iso teams and then play all coverages against LC and Pike.
"Every week you learn more about football, just learning the game."
No pun intended, but linebackers can get stuck in the middle not recognizing if a play is a run or pass.
"YOU'RE IN ANOTHER WORLD at linebacker," Campbell said. "You're not thinking about anything but your assignment. First you've got to read the linemen, then if it's a pass or run.
"But you don't want to be thinking too much. That's where your study and instincts come in. It's fun - you've always got to have fun."
There are times when football Kennedy-style can be a little less fun and a lot more tail-busting. One of the things he knew was needed when he took the job was to make the Panthers tougher.
"Coach Kennedy is a great coach," Campbell said. "When it comes to the essence of football coach Kennedy gets it. There's been times he's kicked our butts, but at the end of the day you realize he's made a man out of you. His style of coaching is pure toughness.
"We're getting tougher and learning little things - the essence, the pure qualities, the nitty gritty of football."
The Panthers are playing the schedule one game at a time and not letting the past get in the way of the future.
"WE'RE NOT LOOKING at our record," Campbell said. "Every week we're 0-0.
"We're keeping positive and working hard, getting better. There's no quit and no deadness. We're trying to execute. Through all the struggles we've been through we're just trying to play football. We're definitely improving assignment-wise."
And Campbell echoeds a favorite Kennedy philosophy: "Let's do it right."
Next year Campbell plans to attend a small college and hopes to play football or baseball. He wants to study biology, and if he doesn't coach football or baseball he is considering being a strength coach in college.
"I want to be in athletics for my career. I want to be a mentor and lead young athletes," he said.
So far Campbell is looking at attending Indiana State, Hillsdale, Wabash, Hanover, Denison and Kenyon.
