Taking over a football program that is looking for its first conference football championship since 2002, Jay Campbell, the new coach at Mount Vernon High School, is excited in what he sees as strong work ethic and determination in his student-athletes, as he instills a “finish” expectation for the team.
Campbell has come to the program with a team energy and focus for his players to come through.
“Our team motto is ‘Finish,” he said. “This is something that we hang our hat on regularly. To us, it is applicable in every drill, rep, practice and game. We expect to finish every rep, every set, every sprint and, ultimately, every play. This is an expectation for all of our players.”
Coming off a 2-8 season in which they went 1-5 in Ohio Cardinal Conference play, with an overmatched defense that allowed 321 points, departing coach Mike Kerr saw high points in wins against Newark (41-20) Aug. 27 and Madison Comprehensive (21-13) Oct. 8.
Campbell takes over as new coach after his five-year stint as Northridge High School's football coach and intervention specialist. Campbell led the Vikings (5-6) to the playoffs last fall for the first time in 16 years, and two years prior to his Northridge leadership, he coached at New Albany High School as an assistant.
A Mount Vernon High School press release said, "As an offensive coordinator and head coach, his (Campbell's) teams broke multiple school records."
Campbell inherits returning junior OCC First Team selection Jonny Askew (RB-CB) and honorable mention selections Joel Hubbard (SS-QB) and Evan Owens (RB-OLB), but the team lost to graduation honorees Zach Mullins (LB), Nate Stradley (DT-G), Jesse Foster (DE-WR) and Dylan Dowell (WR-CB).
Campbell likes what he sees in his team’s attitude and effort.
“As a staff, we have been really excited about the work and effort our guys are putting in," he said. "With a new staff comes new expectations and standards and a way of doing things. Our players have been answering the bell to this point and putting in the work we are asking them to put in.”
Campbell and his staff are installing a new system, and with that, comes a learning curve.
“Anytime you install a new offense and defense, there are growing pains with executions," he said. "Our players have been working to correct mistakes. Last week, we scrimmaged Bishop Hartley, Westerville Central and Franklin. We were able to see (on film) clear mistakes that were being made and get them corrected. Our players were very open and receptive to coaching to correct those mistakes.”
Looking to improve upon last year’s offense that only averaged 19.6 points per game, Campbell has remade the squad into a “gun” team with “gap principles” in their run game.
“We are trying to get our athletes the ball in space, while being a physical in the run game between the tackles,” Campbell said. “Our QBs have put in a lot of work with coaches in the offseason and have shown tremendous improvement. Our offensive line continues to make strides each day as well.”
On defense, the Yellow Jackets will present an odd stack team defense.
Campbell said, “We like the way the defense allows us to attack from different places and allows players, who may be undersized, to use speed and technique effectively up front.”
Campbell is on the lookout for team leaders.
“Finding leadership has been a main focus of ours this offseason and into camp," he said. "We have a small group of seniors who are leading from the front and holding their teammates accountable,”
The team has bought into the concept of winning in its everyday approach.
“Our expectation is to attack the process of winning day in and day out and attack each week's preparation with intensity and focus. We have been focused on being process-oriented throughout the year and focusing on the controllables,” said Campbell.
The Yellow Jackets open the season Friday, Aug. 19, at Marion Harding. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Mount Vernon’s first home game is the following week, Friday, Aug. 26, vs. Newark at 7 p.m.
