Spartans, Wolfpack Ready For Some Football

The cafeteria was at capacity Wednesday night as members of the Spartan football team, cheerleaders, coaching staff, booster club members and families gathered for the annual Kickoff Banquet.

The potluck supper was delicious, but the meat of the program was all about the upcoming football season. The Spartans begin play at home Friday versus Centennial in a game set to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Booster Club President Bobby Sharitz delivered season ticket and parking pass information that can be found at www.campbellhighfootball.com. CHS Athletic Director Audra Sanders also delivered words of encouragement to those present at the pep rally-style congregation.

First-year coach Harris Rainbow told those in attendance, “Over 147 are dressed out and ready to lay a foundation of success for the Spartans. I hope to see the Spartan Nation out this Friday night under the lights to support what these boys are ready to do and that is beat a good Centennial team”.

The Centennial Knights finished 5-5 in 2010. But, they will have to find replacements for 12 starters, who graduated last year, four on offense and eight on defense, if they are to equal or better that mark in 2011.

The Knights offense should be a little ahead of their defense with seven experienced hands back on deck. Senior quarterback Jimmy Meyer, who has already committed to Harvard, will return to lend experience to the position. He is a 57-percent passer, having thrown for 800 yards and four touchdowns a year ago. He also rushed for 140 yards and two more scores. 

Centennial will also have two experienced ball carriers returning for the 2011 season in Zietrick Smith, who accounted for 500 rushing yards and eight touchdowns last year, as well as Cameron Malone. The leading receiver returning is Wade Francis who had 20 receptions for 275 yards. That group will operate behind a veteran offensive line that returns four starters.

The only three returning starters on defense are defensive back Amari Ross, linebacker Camrin Carty and Orozco, who plays on both sides of the ball.

According to Coach Rainbow, the Spartans will hone in on several key factors this week against the Knights. Defensively, the Spartans will need to be disciplined while trying to stop the veer-style option of Centennial. While on offense, they will need focus in solid fundamental play by the line in order to sustain control of the football.

“Overall we are trying to teach the kids this week to limit mental mistakes,” Rainbow said. “We don’t want to beat ourselves, if we settle in on what we have prepared to do at practice, we should be on the right side of things come Friday night.”

Whitefield Ready For Walker

The Whitefield Academy Wolfpack did not have the greatest season last year, finishing with just two wins. They'll seek an improvement in 2011 with a roster filled with senior starters.

The new season kicks off on Friday with a 7:30 p.m. game at Walker, a team the Wolfpack lost to 29-7 last season.

The offense will be led by senior quarterback Max Kemether, who looked good in a summer scrimmage against Darlington. He was able to complete 12 of 16 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown. He also did some ground work by rushing for 44 yards. 

Kemether should benefit from the protection from big offensive lineman Jacob Southerland. The senior stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs nearly 280 pounds. He also will play on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker. 

Senior defensive back and wide receiver Ryan Jones should be one of the team's best skill players this season. In the Darlington scrimmage, he knocked down a pass, intercepted a pass and caught two passes on offense for 80 yards and a touchdown. Max Rieves will start at the other wideout position. 

On defense, Whitefield will run the 4-3 scheme and will be led by seniors Spencer Garrett, Southerland, Jones, and Leland Manning. Jones will also be joined in the defensive backfield by John Alar. The secondary should be the strength of this team, as they showed in the scrimmage. 

Whitefield Academy Team Information 

Head Coach: 

Jimmy Fields (25-20 in four seasons) 

Assistant Coaches: 

Harold Hilliard (strength and conditioning)

Danny Ryan (head athletic trainer) 

Alex Livingston (junior varsity) 

Top Players: 

QB Max Kemether

DB/WR Ryan Jones

OL/LB Jacob Southerland

- Bill Johnson and Joe Deighton contributed to this story