#HSFT17: Stop No. 8 – Smithville Seminoles

SMITHVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — There’s a new energy at Smithville for 2017, and it’s all from their new head coach.

Michael Campbell takes over the Seminoles and the former Tupelo and New Hope offensive coordinator brings a fire and enthusiasm to a team that’s eager to return to the field.

“I like Coach Campbell,” senior Jacob Johnson explained. “He’s a yeller. He likes to get us motivated. I think that’s what we need this year.”

“He will push us hard,” senior Chet Moffett said. “He will push us a lot more than what we’re used to. He expects a lot out of us and I respect him very much.”

“I’m an intense person and that spills off into the guys,” coach Campbell said. “You have to be who you are as a coach and they’ve taken on that personality.”

Spend a few seconds at a Smithville workout and you’ll see that intensity on full display, and the Seminoles have taking a liking to their new coach.

Despite losing a strong senior class, it’s all about this year’s team embracing that W word: WORK.

“We have a new coach and we have new faces and lost a lot of older guys,” Johnson said. “I definitely think we’re ready to out-work teams and that will put us over the top.”

“We work together,” senior Dustin Moffett said. “We have a good offense. We have a good quarterback in Cam Wardlaw. He loves to pass it and throws it well. We have good running backs and we can run it down the throat.”

“I like the hard work and effort we put in,” senior Cameron Wardlaw said. “We care about each other. We love each other. The hard work will push us to a State Championship and I think we’re ready to go.”

Smithville is most definitely talking State Championship this year.

After making it to north half each of the last two years, there’s a certain team the Noles would love another crack at on their way to a Gold Ball.

“I do want another shot at Simmons,” Chet Moffett said. “I want to put something in their face when we play them next. Hopefully we will see them again.”

“Our first goal is to win the division,” Campbell said. “I told them if they do that, anything is possible. I have guys that don’t have a ton of experience but they have big game experience. They’re used to the lights, they’re used to Friday night. They’re used to varsity football. It’s been a smooth transition so far.”

Coach Campbell’s Seminoles will be on full display when the season kicks off Friday, August 18th at Belmont.