Senior Hadyn Griffin is one of the few experienced players new Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe coach Bo Campbell has for this season.Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press.First-year Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe head coach Bo Campbell spent the first few weeks of the summer getting to know his players.Pedal to the metal
Asked in early July to name a few key starters on his first Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe team, coach Bo Campbell sort of shook his head and laughed.
"I honestly couldn't tell you at this point," he said. "We're going into this with every position wide open, and it's up to the kids to earn playing time."
Athletic programs on almost any level hate to use the word "rebuild," but that's just what Campbell and his new staff are trying to do. Campbell, a former LFO assistant coach who is a veteran teacher at the Catoosa County school, and his brother, Jason, were the coordinators at Notre Dame last season and hope to instill some of the Irish's success with their new team.
One key aspect of the project is bringing in coaches with vested interests in the school and community. Several ex-LFO players, including Nick Dunn, Chris Eaves, Trevor Guinn, Kenny Hill and Josh Laney, have been hired as assistants.
"It's pretty exciting," Bo Campbell said. "We've got quite a few coaches from LFO. Nearly every one of them are teaching on staff at LFO as well. They want to see this program return to being successful."
However, a non-LFO alumnus may have been the biggest offseason hire. Former Gordon Lee and Notre Dame head coach Charlie Wiggins was brought in to build a defense that returns only two starters.
His experience is helping ease the transition for the first-year head coach.
"I'm a defensive coordinator by heart, so it's tough for me to let that go, but getting Charlie allows me to do that," Bo Campbell said. "It's unbelievable to have him as someone who has been a head coach and can help take the load off me."
- Capsule by Lindsey Young; contact at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or follow on Twitter: @YoungSports22
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LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE WARRIORSRegion 6-AAATommy Cash Stadium, 1850 Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742Driver’s seat: Bo Campbell (first year here; 10-39 overall)Road tested: 3 offensive, 2 defensive starters return
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Route ’15: With virtually an entirely new coaching staff and with only a handful of starters returning, the emphasis with Coach Campbell’s first LFO team is to build something for the future. In a region that includes defending Class AAA champion Calhoun, rival Ringgold and up-and-coming Sonoraville, cracking the upper half might be difficult.
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Taking the wheel: The summer was spent on evaluating personnel, so not only is the coaching staff trying to determine starters, it also is trying to find leaders. One player Coach Campbell and crew can count on is three-year starter Hayden Griffin, who will be a key cog at WR and DB.
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Cruise control: One area the staff feels good about is the offensive line, where Riley Howe and Jacob Michal return and where Bryson Suggs will add size and talent. Douglas Hager, Jacob Hood and Drew Woodard provide good RB depth.
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Pump the brakes: Offensive coordinator Jason Campbell is installing a spread offense, so finding a quarterback is crucial. Jake Bass, Noah Flowers and Zack Vaughn were competing for the starting spot during summer 7-on-7 competition. After winning three consecutive games early in the 2014 season, LFO lost its final five and allowed more than 50 points in the span. With only two starters back, the entire defense has to be a concern early on.
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Backseat driver: A rival coach said of the Warriors, “Most would consider LFO to take a step back this year, but Bo Campbell knows what he’s doing and he’s put together a great staff with guys like Charlie Wiggins. They will build something nice there.”
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Rearview2014 game resultsAug. 29;Gordon Lee;lost, 34-14Sep. 5;Heritage;lost, 28-12Sep. 12;Coahulla Creek;won, 26-0Sep. 19;Murray County;won, 26-20Sep. 26;Gordon Central;won, 35-34Oct. 3;North Murray;lost, 47-13Oct. 10;Ringgold;lost, 49-12Oct. 17;Adairsville;lost, 55-0Oct. 24;Sonoraville;lost, 54-7Oct. 31;Calhoun;lost, 59-03-7, 3-5 in Region 6-AAA
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On the horizon2015 schedule (all times 7:30)Aug. 28;Gordon LeeSep. 4;at HeritageSep. 11;Coahulla CreekSep. 18;at Murray CountySep. 25;Gordon CentralOct. 2;at North MurrayOct. 9;RinggoldOct. 16;at AdairsvilleOct. 23;SonoravilleOct. 30;at CalhounRegion 6-AAA games in bold