More things change, the more they stay same for Camden’s Neal

In all things, change is the only thing that is constant.

To prove this notion has legs, Camden football coach Jimmy Neal points to how offenses have evolved in less than two decades.

His tenure at the school beginning with the Bulldogs as a team that relied on sweeps to earn yards, they are now like most other schools around the state, their playbook chock full of RPOs — commonly known as RPOs.

“Goodness, when we went to Camden 19 years ago, we basically just went right and left,” he said. “Not longer after we moved to a spread and no huddle, and did that for a good while. Now we have this RPO stuff.

“Yes, the game is still about tackling and blocking, but it is a big change, and is very enjoyable. There’s always something new out there.”

For months, Neal knew he would be making an early-December trip to Myrtle Beach, named a head coach in this year’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives North-South Bowl. But thanks to an explosive offense, the Camden head man has by no means been the only one representing the black and gold this week.

Neal is joined this week by the Camden pass-catch combination of quarterback Devin Beckley and wide receiver JoJo Watson.

Beckley threw for nearly 2,800 yards and 26 touchdowns this season. Sixteen of those scoring tosses went to Watson, the Bulldogs’ leading receiver.

“It’s just great. They’re great kids, great young men and have done a lot for Camden High School,” Neal said. “They’ve adapted very well and belong here. I’m certainly glad they’re here to get this experience.”

Being from a small town like Camden, Beckley is not taking the opportunity to be in the North-South game lightly. In fact, he spent some time this week recalling his career and the journey to this point.

“My sophomore year we ran (the I-formation), and this year we were in the shotgun in more like an ‘Air Raid’ style of offense,” he said. “It has really helped this week, running a familiar type offense.

“My first few years, we didn’t have the best record. But to have this experience, one last week with (Coach Neal) and the chance to be recognized … I couldn’t ask for better.”

Ridge View standout finds smile at right time

The bottom line in any venture is to experience success.

Not much further below that on the list of priorities, however, is to enjoy what you do.

Among the reasons Latheron Rogers-Anderson gravitated toward football, the opportunity to have fun and develop ironclad relationships appealed to him most. But during his junior season at Lakewood, the game had somewhat lost its appeal.

Needing a change in the worst way, he turned to a familiar face in an effort to restore his love for the game.

“When I went to Ridge View, (head coach Perry Parks) brought fun back into the game,” he said. “I started enjoying it again, and my stats followed.”

After spending his first three years as a Gator — two of which were under Parks — Rogers-Anderson transferred to Ridge View this past season. For the year, the Blazers multipurpose man rushed for 869 yards and 11 touchdowns, along with 55 total tackles and two interceptions his senior year en route to a Touchstone Energy Cooperatives North-South bowl nomination.

“He’s a coach’s dream,” Parks said. “He’s all over the field for us and has a true nose for the football.”

According to Rogers-Anderson, being able to call himself an all-star was not something he’d have seen coming a year ago.

“I certainly didn’t see myself in a spot I’d be able to be in this game,” he said. “Other than being at Ridge View, this is the most fun I have had playing football.”

Though the North-South game was a pleasant distraction from a number of things, it did not keep his mind off college football recruiting.

Reopening his recruitment after stepping away from his commitment to East Carolina, a few schools have come to speak with him this past week. Rogers-Anderson already has more than a dozen offers to his name.

“On Wednesday, the Cincinnati coach came and spoke with me, as did the coach from Western Carolina,” he said. “It’s a business, honestly. And I know it is going to take a little bit of my time.

“It’s a blessing, I enjoy the recruiting process. I can’t really say a top five, though. Everything is up in the air since I decommitted (from East Carolina), I really do enjoy when any coach showed any interest in me.”

This story was originally published December 9, 2016 at 7:12 PM with the headline "More things change, the more they stay same for Camden’s Neal."