Local Sports
THE TIMES DIRTY DOZEN: Physical, fiery 'Red' Campbell making dent on Cullman defense
By Justin GravesRelated Photos
-
Logan Campbell is one of the top returning starters on a Cullman High defense that is expected to be one of the team's strong points this season. File photo
-
Logan Campbell is one of the top returning starters on a Cullman High defense that is expected to be one of the team's strong points this season. File photo
Discussion
Add a comment on this storyLogan “Red” Campbell won’t leave any blazing trails on the football field. Just a pile of bruised and battered opponents.
Guess Campbell wasn’t cut out to be a track star, huh?
Now, a linebacker? The Cullman High senior fits that job description perfectly.
That’s why Cullman High coach Mark Britton hired Campbell a few seasons ago, giving him a starting role on the Bearcats’ defense.
And Campbell hasn’t let his coach down.
Campbell played a key role on Cullman’s defense as a junior last fall, recording more than 75 tackles from the middle linebacker position. He also had one interception.
Impressive numbers? Yes. Campbell was among Cullman’s statistical leaders in tackles.
But statistics don’t always tell the whole story. No number can really describe just how important Campbell is to Cullman’s football team.
Campbell may have only been a junior, but he was still Cullman’s on-the-field leader. And he was a fiery one, at that.
But what else would you expect from a red head?
Intense, physical and just plain mean: That’s the personality Campbell takes on when he walks onto the football field. Those are the qualities that have made him one of the area’s top linebackers.
“I’m not going to be the fastest player on the field. That just means I have to step it up and play harder,” said Campbell, who has been selected as the 11th player on The Times Dirty Dozen, which is a list of the area’s top 12 senior football players.
“Being aggressive has always come natural to me. Playing hard and hitting hard: That’s the way I like to play.”
Campbell has a tough personality, but the senior linebacker usually channels his aggression towards opposing teams — primarily whoever has the football.
Away from the football field Campbell is more soft-spoken. He’s also a loyal teammate — one that cares deeply about Cullman football and those who are committed to the program.
“You have to be able to count on your teammates, know everyone around you is going to do their job,” Campbell said. “On defense, we have a lot of guys back. Especially at linebacker, where we have everyone returning. That increases the trust factor. We have that … know we count on each other.”
Coming off back-to-back trips to the Class 5A semifinals, Campbell — along with every other senior in Cullman’s locker room — has been thinking about his final season for months. He wants to make sure the Bearcats are one of the state’s top teams once again.
And Campbell will do anything he can to make sure it happens.
“This year, I’m putting more pressure on myself … more than ever,” he said. “Especially after everything we’ve gone through. I really feel like it’s up to us (seniors), like we have to step up and lead the team back.
“This is my senior year, so I want to do good. I hope everyone else on the team wants the same. But even though we have big goals, we can’t get ahead of ourselves. You have take a season one game at a time.”
During the past two seasons, Cullman’s potent spread offense — which was led by record-setting quarterback Tyler Caldwell — stole the limelight.
It’s a little bit different this year.
With several starters returning — including all three starting linebackers — the expectations around Cullman’s defense are high .Some might even call it the team’s biggest strength.
That doesn’t bother Campbell. He likes the challenge.
“It’s more pressure, but I like the responsibility,” Campbell said. “We’re gonna have a new quarterback, and that’s alright. If our offense needs to lean on us a little more, we’re just gonna pick it up that much more … do whatever it takes to win.”
‰ Justin Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 257 or by e-mail at jgraves@cullmantimes.com
- Local Sports
-
-
Top-ranked Bearcats feel same old blues on road in Russellville
Four turnovers. Two missed field goals. Several blown assignments.
Not many teams can survive that many miscues in the playoffs. Top-ranked Cullman found that out Friday night, getting upended 42-14 at No. 5 Russellville in the Class 5A quarterfinals. -
Top-ranked Bearcats feel same old blues on road in Russellville
Four turnovers. Two missed field goals. Several blown assignments.
Not many teams can survive that many miscues in the playoffs. Top-ranked Cullman found that out Friday night, getting upended 42-14 at No. 5 Russellville in the Class 5A quarterfinals. -
PREP BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Eagles hold on, defeat Holly Pond in nailbiter
Late in the fourth quarter Friday night, just before a couple of big free throws, Cold Springs High girls basketball coach Tammy West pulled aside Georgia Myrex for a quick pep talk.
Except for one thing: When West placed both hands on top of her star player’s head, it looked a little more like some kind of crunch-time benediction.
Or something like that. - PREP BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Holly Pond stays unbeaten, sets up showdown with defending champs
- Wallace pitcher Holley signs letter of intent with UAB
-
CULLMAN FOOTBALL: Top-ranked Bearcats return to Russellville looking for revenge — one year later
Behold the power of three.
Heading into its Class 5A quarterfinal tonight at Russellville, Cullman High’s football team has already avenged two of its three losses from the 2008 season.
In week six, the Bearcats beat Erwin 42-16 to avenge a 25-20 loss from last season. And in week eight, Cullman downed Mountain Brook 28-13 to get revenge for last year’s 49-34 defeat.
Guess who the third target is. -
TALKIN' PREPS: Looks like more basketball parity this season
No juggernauts. No clear-cut favorites. Just a bunch of basketball teams that could beat every other team in the area.
-
AUBURN FOOTBALL: Washington may be playing himself into job as kick returner
The road to success has been long for Demond Washington.
Just about as long as his big return last weekend against Georgia.
With his Auburn Tigers trailing 24-17 in the fourth quarter this past Saturday, Washington took a Bulldogs kickoff at his own 1-yard line, weaved in and out of traffic and sped all the way to the end zone for a 99-yard touchdown. -
CULLMAN FOOTBALL: Versatile Adams fills multiple roles in Cats’ offense
Connor Adams has worn several labels over the past 15 months.
Starting running back, injured reserve, H-back, Wildcat quarterback, fill-in running back — those all fit the bill.
But here’s another one Adams can claim, and it’s something a little different:
Blessed. -
PREP BASKETBALL: Raiders give Hulsey family bragging rights
Tristan Hulsey didn’t hear a congratulatory yell from his father when he made a layup to give West Point High a one-point advantage heading into halftime.
His dad had a look of disgust on his face, instead. -
PREP BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Aggies hold on, defeat Douglas
airview High’s basketball team stayed unbeaten with a nailbiting win Tuesday night, beating Douglas 52-20.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
