Team

Campbell Memorial

Record	Div.	Conf.
3/7	Div. V	All-American Conference Blue Tier

Girard vs Campbell

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Girard Vs. Niles

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By Jon Moffett

jmoffett@vindy.com

Campbell

Five years ago, Mickey Sikora had a vision about how this year’s football season would go.

When he first arrived at the school as an assistant coach, Sikora found 15 students in the weight room during the offseason. But 10 of those students stuck out to him.

They were eighth-graders.

Fast forward a few years, and those students make up the senior nucleus of the Campbell Memorial Red Devils. The same Red Devils who are in the midst of a playoff run.

Sikora said it’s no surprise, considering the dedication he saw from his seniors before they were even in high school.

“We had 10 kids from middle school lifting with the high school football team,” Sikora said. “Seeing that, we thought we had something special here because we had a very good core group. They’ve followed suit all the way up.”

Sikora said his team benefitted from watching the older players approach the game. He said the seniors took to heart how to prepare and play, and are leading by example.

“We knew before this year the work ethic that we had because it’s what we’ve established the past four years with them. They’ve been accountable the entire way, and that’s made them who they are.”

Senior offensive lineman David Guidos said it’s very rewarding to see all their hard work pay off with a trip to — and win in — the playoffs.

“It feels great to be where we are right now,” he said. “We worked really hard in the offseason and put a lot of time in. Making the playoffs was one of our goals.”

The Red Devils (10-1) won the All-American Conference’s Blue Tier and are still playing in Week 12. Sikora said it’s no accident. He said the players know what it feels like to win. And, unfortunately, what’s it’s like to lose, too. And winning always feels better.

Senior quarterback Lester Hughes said there is no better feeling than winning. But, he added, the feeling after a loss is motivation enough to want to play as hard as you can.

“It’s very special to me to do what we’ve done this year,” he said. “It’s fun to be playing with these guys my senior year. And I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say I don’t want that sour taste in my mouth. Not yet. We’re not done yet.”

Middle linebacker John Sikora, who joins Hughes as the only three-time letterwinners on the team, expounded on his classmate’s sentiments.

“I think the mentality of this whole team this year, at least in the playoffs, has been that it’s more about the fear of losing that playoff game than it is about the thrill of winning,” the younger Sikora said. “If you lose, you’re done. So that fear just creeps up on you and you don’t want to lose.”

But the Red Devils are hardly playing scared.

The offense features explosive elements in Hughes, and younger brother Ja’les at running back. Hughes passed for more than 1,400 yards while his brother chewed up 1,700 on the ground. The younger Sikora acted as a lead blocker on many of those runs.

On defense, Sikora made ballcarriers pay.

He led the team with 138 total tackles — 16 for a loss — and had five sacks. Sikora also forced five fumbles and recovered two others.

Linebacker Nick Opencar said this year has been even more special than last year’s postseason appearance.

“It feels a whole lot better than last year when we just made the playoffs and were happy to make an appearance,” he said.

“Now we’re kind of used to being there, or at least comfortable. Last year was our first appearance in the playoffs, and that was a big thing for us,” he said. “Now, it’s sort of like we’re here. Let’s win some games.”

Hughes said he’s not ready to stop playing yet. And he knows his teammates aren’t ready to have their high school playing careers end, either.

“Basically, we don’t want to go home yet,” he said. “We just want to continue to play. We’re not ready to go home yet.”

Coach Sikora said he sees the drive to continue in his team and says the matchup with Akron Manchester is a favorable one. He knows his team has the heart to complete.

“They have togetherness, and I think that’s a big thing at this level,” he said. “They have a great work ethic, they are accountable for everything and they have a lot of experience playing football together. They know one another and they have each other’s backs.

“They’re just a special group of players,” he said. “They have the uncanny ability to feel like everything is going to be OK and they’re going to win the game.”

Sikora harkened back to the day in the weight room when he said he knew there were good things on the horizon for this group. He said as a coach he was ready to go to war with them.

“That kind of things makes me very excited,” he said. “If you can get guys to buy in to what you’re doing at such a young age, and then you’re going to have them for a while, they’re going to do what you ask them to do, and they’re going to be great program kids.

“But I give all the credit to these guys,” he added. “They’re the ones who put in the work. And now they’re reaping the benefits.”

The conference title is the school’s first since 1991, Sikora said. He said winning a playoff game hasn’t been easy for Campbell. But here his team is, moving on in the playoffs.

“We’re in the Sweet 16 in the state for Div. IV,” he said. “We’re hoping that we can make it to the elite eight this weekend.”

While postseason wins have been rare, history is still strong at Campbell.

Guidos said he didn’t want to be the class that made the Campbell legacy take a hit.

“This city is full of tradition, and if you look at the past teams that have been on this field, we used to dominate,” he said. “For a few years before we started playing, things were bad; there was just dysfunction with the program.

“But we looked at that and said, ‘Hey, let’s do something that people haven’t done in a long time. Let’s bring this place back to where it once was and light it up.’ We needed to do something that people could look forward to.”

John Sikora said he hopes the seniors’ example motivates some of the younger players to carry the banner when they’re gone.

“This game is not easy,” he said. “You don’t’ just go turn on the lights and be successful. There are a lot of things going on behind the scenes ... You really have to work hard to get to where you want to be.”

Lester Hughes chimed in,” Besides, what else is there to do around here? Nothing.”