"I'm proud of our kids and of what they've accomplished," Campbell first-year head coach Harris Rainbow said. "We've come a long way and we've gotten better every single week. Our kids deserved success and they've worked hard enough and earned it. Hopefully, this is the start of a lot more down the line."
The victory was the first for Rainbow as Campbell's coach.
After falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, the Spartans (1-5, 1-2) outscored Kennesaw Mountain (0-6, 0-3) by a 33-0 margin over the final three periods, including 19-0 in the second half.
Late in the third quarter and into the fourth, Green made three big plays, first on special teams, then on defense and finally on offense. Green's 49-yard punt went out of bounds at the Mustangs' 1-yard line and two snaps later, he made a key interception, the only turnover in the game. Four plays later, Green was in the end zone after a 1-yard burst, giving the Spartans a 26-7 advantage with 11:17 remaining in the final period.
"Austin is a heck of a player," Rainbow said. "He's got the chance to be a big-time player down the line. He's going to keep getting better and we're excited he's on our side."
The only scoring of the third quarter came on a trick play after a successful fake punt by Campbell. A 12-play, 57-yard scoring drive concluded when quarterback Ricky James lateraled the ball to Qadeem Salaam, who then hit James with a 6-yard touchdown pass, which upped the Spartans lead to 20-7 with 4:43 to go.
Campbell took its first lead of the contest at the 2:16 mark of the second quarter on an electrifying 65-yard touchdown pass play from James to Arviel Jenkins. Green ran for a two-point conversion and the Spartans led 14-7.
In its previous possession, Campbell put together an 11-play, 71-yard scoring drive with Green playing quarterback and rushing for 46 yards on six carries. Darius Harris reached the end zone on a 1-yard run, but the extra-point failed, keeping Kennesaw Mountain in front, 7-6, with 3:56 left in the second period.
After three punts to start the game, the Mustangs opened the scoring on a similar trick play like the one that worked for the Spartans later on, but Kennesaw Mountain's covered much more in yardage. The Mustangs' starting quarterback, Dallin Finley, tossed the ball on a lateral to sophomore quarterback Zach Chandler, who was in the contest as a receiver, who then delivered a 31-yard touchdown strike to a wide open Devin Putmon. Andreas Sari added the point-after and Kennesaw Mountain had a 7-0 lead with 3:56 remaining in the first quarter.
"We got off to a good a start and then had some mistakes here and there and couldn't overcome that," Kennesaw Mountain head coach Chad McGehee said. "Campbell has gotten better. My hat's off to them (Friday)."
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That is where a coach must start his base and gain support that will provide continuity for program.
1. Run the varsity system
2. Provide clinics and support for youth programs
3. Coach must be visible for the kids and make the varisty players visible to the kids.
This does not mean you will win regions and championships- but you will build a competitive program that may have a chance at times to win those things.
Why is Kennesaw the worst team around? Hillgrove has been around for much shorter of a time and are much better.