Summer Notes: Campbell High School Football

This year’s edition of the Campbell High School football team is taking a different shape than coach Greg Gush had seen in his first three years.

The total number of players is right where the Cougars coach would like it to be, as Campbell opened practice this week with 46 players. But of those athletes, just seven are seniors, the first time in Gush’s four years he hasn’t had double digits in that class.

“We’re younger than we’ve been, but I think we’re more athletic than we’ve been,” Gush said. “There are a bunch of freshmen and sophomores who came out, and there are some talented kids and some real good athletes.”

A year ago, coming off the program’s first championship, Campbell opened the year with 50 would-be players, and while this year’s number is smaller, it seems like everyone is at practice for a reason.

“We have a lot more football players this year, and I’m pretty excited about that,” Gush said. “I think we have a really good core group. Our team athleticism and our team speed is going to be good. If we can get them in the right places to make some plays and teach them how to do that, we’ll be OK.”

Campbell may need those athletes to make up for a lack of size, something that always seems to be the case, according to Gush.

“We never have an abundance of big guys,” he said. “Id love to have 10 offensive and defensive linemen. Sometimes toward the end of the season, we’re one twisted ankle away from disaster. Our offensive and defensive line will have a lot of emphasis on them and they’ll probably make us or break us.”

Campbell will host a three-team scrimmage against Alvirne and Pelham on Aug. 17 and will host a scrimmage against Souhegan on Aug. 20. The Cougars will also scrimmage at Merrimack Valley on Aug. 25.