‘One team, one town.’ Camden, community set for 1st semifinal appearance in 17 years
Camden quarterback Jaffari Pearson has heard plenty of stories from his uncle about his playing days as Bulldogs quarterback and expects to hear more Thursday when the two are together for Thanksgiving.
Richie Williams, Pearson’s uncle, was a standout quarterback at Camden in the late 1990s and early 2000s, before leading Appalachian State to a national championship and going on to a career in the Canadian Football League. Pearson said Williams, who is a NASCAR jackman, has told him on numerous occasions all about his stats, accolades and accomplishments.
Now, it is Pearson and his Camden teammates who hope to make their own memories as they play Chapman in the Class 3A Upper State State football championship on Friday. The winner moves on to next week’s state title game, a place Camden hasn’t been since 2002.
“It is awesome,” Pearson said. “Football brings the family closer and is one of a kind. Don’t think anyone one else can match the chemistry of this team. We are brotherhood here and play for each other.”
That chemistry was evident in practice Monday when music was blaring from the speakers and the players and coaches had an extra bounce in their steps. Before the team stretched, third-year coach Brian Rimpf told his team that they are just one of 20 teams still practicing in South Carolina.
Community rallying around Camden
The football-rich community has embraced this year’s group and is glad Camden football is playing Thanksgiving weekend. Camden has won seven state titles but none since 2001. The Bulldogs’ 12 wins this season are the most since 2002.
At least two charter buses will be headed to Chapman this week and a large caravan is also expected to make the two-hour drive.
The team is holding an open practice Thursday at Zemp Stadium from 9-10:30 a.m.
“It is fun to be in Camden right now,” said Rimpf, a former Baltimore Ravens lineman. “Players have enjoyed all the support. Really one, team, one town, one dream thing that Camden has talked about it.”
Rimpf admits he didn’t know all about the history of the program when he took the Camden coaching job three years ago but has quickly gotten up to speed. Most of his staff is made up of former players or people who have been at the school for a while. The two coaches before Rimpf, Billy Ammons and Jimmy Neal, are still in town.
During this year’s run, more and more alumni have shown up each week at games. Running back Willis Lane broke Marcus Brown’s single-season rushing record two weeks ago. Brown was at last week’s game against Union, taking pictures alongside Lane.
“Lot of buzz in town just to have the history Camden has with the alumni coming back,” Rimpf said. “It is exciting and the year has been fun. … we got a really good group of kids and they have competed all year. It is a fun group to be around. They have practiced hard all year and played well. The way they have come together and cheered each other on is noticeable and most teams don’t have that.”
SCHSL playoff schedule
Friday
All Games at 7:30 p.m.
Class 5A
Upper State
Gaffney at Dorman
Lower State
Carolina Forest at Dutch Fork
Class 4A
Upper State
Ridge View at Wren
Lower State
Hartsville at Myrtle Beach
Class 3A
Upper State
Camden at Chapman
Lower State
Dillon at May River
Class 2A
Upper State
Saluda at Abbeville
Lower State
Oceanside Collegiate at Barnwell
Class A
Upper State
Ridge Spring-Monetta at Wagener-Salley
Lower State
Lake View at Green Sea Floyds
