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DEL.ICIO.USSpring Football Fling: Daunting schedule awaits Camden Co. in ‘08
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THE SPRING FOOTBALL FLING In upcoming weeks, teams throughout the state will spend 10 days on the practice field preparing for the 2008 football season. In a series of stories, ajc.com will provide an offseason outlook for 25 of the top teams in the metro and state.
This Week’s Lineup
• Fri: Camden Co. • Sat: Newnan • Sun: Stephenson
• 4/14: Roswell • 4/15: Norcross • 4/16: Walton • 4/17: Harrison
Photos: A look at Camden
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Camden in ‘08? Can the Cats survive their schedule? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
Daunting schedule awaits Camden County
Jeff Herron needs to replace his son, the quarterback, his defensive line and his line coach, but the Camden County coach believes his 2008 team could be better than the one that reached the Class AAAAA semifinals in 2007.
The new quarterback will be Christian Milstead, who started at safety and played quite a bit at quarterback as a sophomore when Major Herron was injured. Herron, an honorable mention all-state player, has signed with Lenoir-Rhyne.
“He has been groomed for this for several years, and he has all the intangibles you look for, so we’re really excited about him,” coach Herron said of Milstead. “We don’t think we’ll miss anything there.”
Milstead is a pretty good runner, although not in Major Herron’s class, but Milstead has the stronger and perhaps better arm.
Losing all three starting down linemen on defense is the coach’s biggest concern. Also gone is the defensive line coach, Xarvia Smith, now head coach at Cedar Shoals. Smith will be replaced by Brian Love, who held the same position at McEachern.
Motivation will not be an issue, Herron said.
Aside from the memory of making the semifinals last year, the players and staff can look ahead to a challenging first three games. The schedule shows Norcross in the Georgia Dome on Aug. 23, Florida contender Columbia at home on Sept. 5 and five-time Alabama state champion Hoover on the road on Sept. 12.
Camden County Wildcats
Region 3-AAAAA
Spring practice dates: May 5-16.
Last year’s record: 12-2, lost in Class AAAAA semifinals to eventual champion Lowndes 10-0.
Reclassification challenge: Does not apply.
Working on: Milstead, a senior, takes over at quarterback, but the more pressing job is rebuilding a defensive line that lost five of its top six players. Camden also lost two of its starting running backs, including Georgia Southern signee A.J. McCray, but Herron doesn’t sound too worried. Halfback Greg Baker will be a three-year starter, and fullback Adrian Alexander is healthy after being lost at midseason because of an ankle injury last year. Also watch for Marquevious Myers, an outstanding tight end last year and perhaps the team’s best all-around player. He’s moving to fullback, a key position in the wing-T. Taking Myers’ place at tight end will be Ryan Attaway, a 6-foot-6, 300-pounder “who can really run,” Herron said. “He’s an unusual one.” Camden lost three starting offensive linemen, including Ryan Seymour to Vanderbilt, but welcomes back center Keegan McClain (6-3, 270). McClain, who might wind up at tackle, was beginning to shine last year before a knee injury in the fifth game ended his season.
Key starters lost: QB Major Herron (Lenoir-Rhyne), G Ryan Seymour (Vanderbilt), T Omar Saenz (Albany State), HB/CB A.J. McCray (Georgia Southern), PK Drake Nahrwold (Cumberland), DL Stephan Myers (Savannah State).
Key starters returning: S/QB Christian Milstead (5-11, 161), HB Greg Baker (5-9, 170), FB Marquevious Myers (6-1, 220), C Nick Siemer (6-3, 280), G Josh Delly (5-9, 200), LB Robert Williams (5-11, 181), LB Ty Booth (5-10, 200), LB Gavin Oliver (5-10, 180), LB Justin Orr (6-2, 203, LB DeWaine Coleman (5-9, 158), CB Michael Green (5-11, 170).
2008 strengths: All five of Camden’s linebackers return. DeWaine Coleman, who weighs only about 160, is perhaps the best of the bunch. Cornerback Michael Green is another all-state candidate. They run to the ball and tackle exceptionally well and should be the core of one of the state’s best dozen defenses. Camden is deep at running back and will be bigger on the lines of scrimmage.
2008 weaknesses: The defensive line is totally rebuilt, but Camden’s offense, which was shut out by Lowndes in the 2007 semifinals, needs to develop playmakers and to become less predictable in the wing-T. Milstead’s arm could make a big difference. Myers is an impressive athlete who could have a breakout season.
This season’s projection: Camden should win its eighth consecutive region title with little resistance. This is a team that can reach the semifinals again and perhaps win its first state title since 2003.
Photos: A look at Camden
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Camden in ‘08? Can the Cats survive their schedule? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
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Comments
By robert
April 17, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
the blue cats can be good. They just need to be diversified on offense so when they play tough playoff games they can move the ball consistently. The addition of former line coach greg slattery who was there in 2003 for state championship will be big plus. Kicking game must be found as last years placekicker and punter are gone.
By robert
April 17, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
the blue cats can be good. They just need to be diversified on offense so when they play tough playoff games they can move the ball consistently. The addition of former line coach greg slattery who was there in 2003 for state championship will be big plus. Kicking game must be found as last years placekicker and punter are gone.
By goober
April 18, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
Camden playing a “killer’ schedule? Come on, you gotta be kidding me. The stronger non-region teams it added won’t offset the fact that Camden purposely stays in that weak region with all of the illegitimate sub-5A teams from Savannah. Camden beats all of ‘em bad every year, then gets its automatic bye into the state playoffs as a result. Then, except for one year in ‘03 when they beat an average Valdosta team, they falter somewhere along the way. The Camdem offense that was shut out by Lowndes in the Dome last year was pitiful, and mostly because of the slow QB, son of the head coach.
By GW
April 18, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
A Camden matchup with Ware Co. would have been an interesting southeast Ga. matchup but Herron chose the road tour and big publicity instead. I think he has his eye on moving to the college ranks.
By wildcat fan
April 18, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
COACH HERRON & the wildcats will do just fine if they do what they did last year to get to the semi-finals and dont go changing to much. AND WIN STATE!! the term is: if it aint broke dont fix it may apply. this Class of ‘09 maybe one of the most talented in the state but doesnt get that much publicity because we are not metro atlanta or they want to say it’s our region. if he gets QB Milstead a O-line the State Tile will stay in the south but will be move to the Southeast where it rightfully belongs. he has some other young men that are key players and will have a break out season as well that werent mention. Deangelo Smith WR #5, Ronald Flowers RB/DB #18, Darryll Williams RB/DB #8. GO WILDCATS GO!!!!
By former indian
April 18, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
Love is a great pick-up for Camden! I wish him the best. I’ll miss him. A true football coach.
By Not Impressed
April 18, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
Camden has no competition in their region…that’s how you win it 7 years in a row! Herron’s no man for scheduling Hoover in a rebuilding year (Propst is in Georgia now, team lost 20+ seniors last year). Play Ware or TCC or Lowndes in the regular season, so we’ll know who’s the best up front.
By HS Football Fan
April 18, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
I agree about the comment about Hoover. Hoover is overated!!! I am glad to see that Camden is competing against Norcross. I think this game will help them identify what team they are capable of being. Norcoss is not the best team in Metro Atlanta, but they have some great athletes.
By Remove the Sub AAAAA
April 19, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this
I use to really like the style of play by Camden until I realized they are the only true AAAAA team in region 3AAAAA. They should not be allowed a 1 seed in the playoffs because they actually play AAA and AAAA sized schools in region play. Remove the sub AAAAA wins and their record is average.
By colquittcodawg
April 19, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Camden has a tough schedule? An article on tough schedules that has no mention of Region 1-AAAAA is an article that shouldn’t have been written. Lowndes, Valdosta, Colquitt, Coffee, Northside, Houston Co, Warner Robins, Tift… there’s probably not a region in this country that has a lineup like that.
By Todd Holcomb
April 19, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
There’s nothing Camden can do about its region schedule except play it. There were 3 open slots on the sked, and they were filled by strong teams.
Can anyone name one team in AAAAA that has defeated a better roster of football programs than Camden over the past six seasons:
Parkview Lowndes (2x) Brookwood (2x) Warner Robins Tift County East Coweta Grayson Walton Newnan (2x) Stephenson (2x) Valdosta (3x) Starr’s Mill Colquitt County
That’s not who Camden has played since 2002. That’s who Camden has beaten since 2002.
Except for Lowndes, I don’t think there’s been a better program than Camden in AAAAA the past several years.
By Jpike
April 19, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
Hope to see you in the dome again this year being it will be for the title. We have your number. GO VIKES
By RidgeDaddy
April 19, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Todd, we realize there’s nothing Camden can do about their pathetically weak region schedule. Everyone knows that 3-AAAAA is made up of sub-AAAAA schools that for some ridiculous reason continue to play in a region that’s way over their heads each year. And I agree that they are to be commended for scheduling stout non-region games. But to call the schedule for any team that plays a 3-AAAAA schedule a “killer” is ridiculous.
It would be interesting to see how CC would fare if they had to play tough competition week consistently throughout their region schedule, such as regions 1, 5, or 7.
By NSeagle78
April 20, 2008 2:50 AM | Link to this
Maybe it is not Camden’s fault that they play a super weak schedule. Statesboro until 2 years ago played a weak schedule down in AAAA. Statesboro has fallen from the top ten since they toughen up their schedule. The same thing probably would happen to Camden County. Region 1 baby where the men are men and the boys are some where else.
By james
April 20, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
yes Football is King! But the reason Camden stays in Region 3 is a cost factor. The cost to travel to Warner Robins and Perry 2 to 3 times a week to play golf,track,baseball,tennis,etc is the reason Camden stays in Region 3.
By raymond
April 20, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
camden would love to play ware co, wayne co effingham co, brunswick ,glynn academy but first those communities need to add some people and increade their student bodies and move up to 5A. what yall doing in those places, praticing some good birth control, and not bring in new business and people like we are on the loveliest coast. Hope to see you in our class one day and on the field, where as long as we have coach Herron, one of the best in Ga high school football we will beat most. especially if they hav to travel all the way down here to our Cats Den. Spring game may 20 come see the cats play ball.
By Koron
April 20, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
RidgeDaddy, the reason the Savannah teams play up is for b-ball purposes. Every year 1 or 2 SAV teams are usually among the best 3 or 4 teams in the state, however, even at AAA or AAAA the football teams are crap because the best athletes in the city prefer basketball.
By Toby Cash
April 21, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
If Camden really wanted a schedule that was a killer they would have joined the 1AAAAA classification.
By Drew
April 24, 2008 2:33 AM | Link to this
What kind of defense are they running down there? 5 linebackers and 3 down lineman? Unusual set up on most defenses I know of.
By REX
May 2, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this
If I remenber correctly camden beat two teams in 1AAAAA last year and only lost to lowndes by the score of 10 - 0 , which became the state champs . colquitt co. and houston co. barely beat a 3AAAAA team last year , so I don’t think 1AAAAA is so high and mighty as they use to be.
By Camdens Region
May 17, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
CAMDEN IS ASSIGNED REGIONS!!! Idiot
By mrsmithinthacity
July 1, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this
look im tired of everybody saying camden has a weak schedule. we have beaten all the suppose to be top teams in 5A.and for all those viking fans yall just started beating camden so we were due a couple loses bout time.but we will c what it is in 08. and those of u talking bout ware county man stop!!!!!!!!! we own them 2. so haters please stop cause we are the number 1 team nobody wants 2 play us.
By its on
July 6, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
Camden never lost the 1st game in the dome. They also loss alot of coaches ever year that will make any program have the ability to repeat. we have lost at the least 10 coaches since 03
By bhbdebbgrtbgetrbg
July 22, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Lets see wut camden does against Columbia. This team play tough and will be on a whole nother level. Not to mention the all-state QB and RB.
By bhbdebbgrtbgetrbg
July 22, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
Lets see wut camden does against Columbia. This team play tough and will be on a whole nother level. Not to mention the all-state QB and RB.
By ruben
July 30, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this
everybody talkin about camden and they region in the last 4 years camden has beat teams from north georgia.yes even parkview,brookwood.and from what i see region3 isnt the only weak region in georgia but if u never been to camden we play football down here know the sport not just ur team.wildcats coming to a stadium.near u.go cats
By Rebecca
September 6, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
“By bhbdebbgrtbgetrbg
July 22, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Lets see wut camden does against Columbia. This team play tough and will be on a whole nother level. Not to mention the all-state QB and RB.”
Camden shut em out, that’s what they did!!!! What now?
By JoeJoe
September 13, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this
I know this comment will probably not be read…..but Region 1-AAAAA is full of used to be teams. Lowndes and Northside Warner Robins are still legit……but the rest are just okay. Camden would beat them…….guaranteed. GO CAMDEN!! TO HELL WITH EVERYONE ELSE!!!
By High school fan
September 27, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Wow Camden, I feel the heat all the way from Valdosta and Atlanta. Region 3 will never be a football region. The last team from that area to make it to state was a strong Brunswick team in ‘99. I can say that region 1-AAAAA has fallen off in recent years, Valdosta is a former shell of itself, and Warner Robbins isn’t as dominating! If Lowndes is beating everyone, like Camden is, then what does it say about 1-5A…they are weak!