It’s that time of year all over the U.S., high school football season, and in Norwood fans are breaking out their Maverick gear, getting their bleacher cushions ready and tailgating with some food, while hitting the concession stand too.
The Norwood Mavericks, combined and made up of guys from Norwood and Nucla, also have two Telluride players on the team this year. So far, the guys are 1-1.
There are 31 on the team, and coach said it’s going to be fun.
“This is probably the most talented roster I’ve gotten to coach, and I’m excited to see where we are going to take this,” he told the Forum on Sept. 5, the morning after Norwood swept Plateau Valley, 46-14.
On Sept. 4 in that away game, coach said the Mavericks handled the Cowboys from start to finish, and were in control the whole time. That win was not a surprise.
“We went into that game with a lot of confidence,” he told the Forum.
Norwood did fall to Hayden, however, 30-38, in their season opener and their first home game the week before. Campbell said the experience was still “awesome.”
“It was fun,” he said. “We just made too many mistakes to win the game,” adding that meant too many turnovers and too many missed tackles to claim the victory.
With 15 seniors on the team, coach said things are really coming together for the group of guys who’ve had significant playing time together since they were sophomores. He said now that they’re upperclassmen, they’ve got the experience, but they’re also a good group of kids, and the continuity is visible.
In 12th grade and their last year of high school football are Keegan Tackett (0), Daniel Zunich (1), Hayden Branham (10), Jackson McCabe (11), Ryker Medrick (15), Holten McCluer (16), Caylon Joseph (22), Austin Garvey (23), Porter Black (32), Cole Bray (34), Kannon Sherman (64), Uriah Cook (77), Dalton Brack (80), Colton Kepley (97) and Jacob Davis (99).
The guys play Monticello Sept. 11, and heading into that game, Campbell said it should be fun — but also interesting.
“They play a completely different style than we are used to seeing,” coach said. “It will be a unique kind of challenge.”
Norwood’s coaching staff has remained as-is the last five years, and assisting Campbell are Morgan Rummel, Blade Harrigan and Wes Tackett, for whom he’s appreciative.
Additionally, coach is grateful for Ken Lukaszewski, local father with kids not yet old enough to play high school football. Lukaszewski has been helping to run a weight program for the players, and coach said that effort has really paid off.
“Our offensive and defensive lines have so much power,” Campbell said. “I give him credit for getting our athletes stronger.”
Regarding the younger players, Campbell said it’s good to see so many kids on the roster, playing and learning the game.
Overall, he agreed football season can be a very fun time of year for anybody living in a small town.
