Heat is on: Cardinals continue fall camp, position battles

Photo By: Michael Hanich
Camden Fairview linebacker Justin Frazier looks for the ball carieer in a defensive drill in practice.
Photo By: Michael Hanich Camden Fairview linebacker Justin Frazier looks for the ball carieer in a defensive drill in practice.

The first week of fall training camp has been a grind for high school football teams, and the Camden Fairview Cardinals had their biggest test of the remaining off-season period as they tried to get their roster in playing shape and start finalizing their starting lineups.

On Friday, the Cardinals not only felt the heat, but they brought the heat as well, as offensive and defensive players battled each other from start to finish. The energy brought by the players was encouraging to head coach Nick Vaughn, as he said to the team after practice, but he noted he hopes to see even better performances in the future.

Vaughn said he saw great energy and competition despite the heat on Friday, adding that the team has been practicing hard for five consecutive days. Players' good attitudes and hunger in fall camp remained high despite some fatigue.

Fall camp is a time where some of the top players in different position groups will separate themselves from others. The linebacker corps for the Cardinals is one example.

With Camden Fairview utilizing a 4-2-5 defense with two linebackers, defensive coordinator Devin Ball and linebacker coach Troy Thomas needed two highly efficient and reliable players to hold their own. This was a position group that required serious attention, but eventually, senior Michal Griffith and sophomore Justin Frazier demonstrated that they could immediate go on the field if the season started soon.

"We still have some stuff to figure out -- who are best 11 are on defense, of where they are going to be and where they need to be, who is going to make us the best when it is time to line up against Star City and Arkadelphia. To be honest, I think some of this competition is going to carry on to week one," Vaughn said.

Fall camp is also one of the last chances for players to raise their stock for the remainder of the off-season. There are several position battles taking place in fall camp, including for outside receivers opposite senior Jarvis Reed. Sophomore Ronald Buchanan held onto the last number one wide receiver for the majority of the off-season.

Senior wide receiver JyMarion Hopson has been rising significantly through the Cardinals' spring scrimmage to this fall camp. In the spring scrimmage game, Hopson caught six receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns. He has taken some first-team reps with the Cardinals this week.

Junior Jaylen Goodwin has been another receiver that has taken first-team reps this week, especially on Friday. Goodwin has been rising up the depth chart since late in the summer and into fall camps. He caught some great passes in the end zone during one-on-one matchups during practice.

"I think this competition is going to bring the best out of everybody. Right now, it's we've got three guys vying for that one spot. And no one really has taken hold yet. We're going to be better for it in the end, because it will create quality depth," Vaughn said.

The Cardinals will take the weekend to rest before they take on their last full week of practices without a game. Camden Fairview will host the Star City Bulldogs on Thursday, Aug. 18, in a scrimmage before their week one preparations. Their first regular season game of the 2022 season will be at home against the Arkadelphia Badgers on Friday, Aug. 26.

photo Photo By: Michael Hanich Camden Fairview wide receiver Jaylen Goodwin catches a ball for a touchdown in practice.

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