2021 Campbell High School Football Team (Courtesy photo)

LITCHFIELD – The 2020 season for the Campbell High School football team was perhaps a means to an end.

The Cougars won a couple of games (2-4), got experience, and now they hope to take a big leap for 2021.

“So far, I’m very pleased and excited for what the season could be,” Cougars coach Glenn Costello said. “I think last year we were kind of just happy to play football.

“So I think now there’s a different mindset from the players throughout the coaching staff.”

Costello’s theory is simple: A lot of players were exposed to a lot of different positions on both sides of the ball.

Campbell running back Garrett Arnold tries to break free during a game against Trinity last fall. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

“We’re going to rely on our seniors to get us to the next level,” Costello said, “and get Campbell football back to where it could and should be.”

There’s a handful of returning starters on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Jackson Kanaley, who was only a sophomore as a starter last year, returns.

Around him? Senior skill players Garrett Arnold and John Newell, senior back Nathan Perry who played a lot of tailback a year ago in his first year of football, and 6-5, 230 pound tight end George Ivas (senior).

“He looks the part, and he may be a good prospect at the next level, too,” Costello said of Ivas.

Defensive standouts include senior Owen Kepple,who played defensive line last year then shifted to linebacker, and Arnold could be one of the best defenders in Division III in Costello’s mind in the secondary, even at just 135 pounds.

Campbell running back Nathan Perry, expected to be a key this season for the Cougars, breaks away from the pack during a game against Laconia last fall. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

“Garrett is right in the conversation as one of the best defenders I’ve had at Campbell,” Costello said. “If he had 50 or 60 more pounds on him he’d be looked at by the UNH’s and B.C.’s.”

Other keys: Sophomore Evan St. Pierre (260) and senior Logan Carney (310 pounds) will anchor the defensive line.

“They worked really hard in the off-season in both conditioning and strength wise,” Costello said. “Hopefully they can play a lot of reps.”

There’s still a lot of youth. Sophomore Logan Daigle should stand out as a tight end/defensive end; incoming freshmen Nick and Scott Hershberger at tackle and fullback could bring or enhance a smashmouth attitude to the program as well. “I would circle their names over the next couple of years,” Costello said.

Also, senior Paul Hooper could shed injuries and help out at running back and linebacker.

The numbers for the program are a little low – 37 grades nine through 12 – and Costello would like to see them up into the 40s. But it’s up from last year.

“This is my first four year class,” Costello said. “So they’ve spoken my language for four years. We’re already doing things now that we planned on doing three, four weeks from now.”

•••

2021 SCHEDULE

Sept. 3: at Kearsarge, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 11: vs. Con-Val, 11 a.m.

Sept. 18: at Inter Lakes-Moultonborough, Noon

Sept. 24: vs. Trinity, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2: at Winnisquam, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9: vs. Monadnock, 2 p.m.

Oct. 15: at Pelham, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22: at Stevens, 7 p.m.

Oct. 30: vs Laconia, 11 a.m.

•••

CAMPBELL 2020 RESULTS

Monadnock 28, Campbell 20

Pelham 40, Campbell 0

Campbell 42, Laconia 24

Trinity 36, Campbell 0

Division III playoffs

First round: Pelham 35, Campbell 0

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