Behind head coach Michael Judy and senior standout lineman Jeff Campbell, The Eagles captured their first-ever Delaware State Championship. Photo by Al Thompson

What Smyrna head football coach Michael Judy did his first two seasons with the Eagles is nothing short of stunning.

The long-time offensive line coach took over before the 2014 season for Clay Lloyd and the challenges that come with a team that finished with 2-8 record and had not produced a winning record since 2004.

In 2014, his first season, Judy’s squad improved to 5-5.

When the coaching staff got together to plan the 2015 season, they realized that, with all the offensive starters returning, and with talent like junior Nolan Henderson at quarterback and an emerging standout sophomore running back in Will Knight, plus a defensive leader in lineman Jeff Campbell, Judy and his staff knew they had something special in front of them.

“We are well ahead of where I thought we would be,” Judy told Footballstories last week. “When I got the job I put together a four-year plan. I really thought it would take up to four years to get us right and get us in the right direction and be a competitive program.”

Judy is glad to have been wrong.

“The first year the kids just far exceeded our expectations,” Judy said. “Not just with the way that they approached the game but with their work ethic. We readjusted from there. We had a staff meeting in June or July, we were all in the room together, kind of looking at each other…nobody wanted to say it but I spoke up and said ‘listen, there’s no reason that we shouldn’t be able to compete for it all.’ I think all the coaches were in agreement. The kids bought in, and the rest is history.”

The Eagles went 12-1, winning the Delaware Division 1 State Championship with an offense that averaged around 45 points per game.

Smyrna is the Footballstories Magazine 2015 Team of the Year for Delaware.

Smyrna quarterback Nolan Henderson returns for his senior year and will look to improve on a season where he threw 36 TD passes.

Did Judy ever imagine he’d be planning how to repeat as State champions going into just his third season as head coach?

“It’s a good place to be,” Judy said a smile.

Whether a team wins a title or not, each year the head coach loses players to graduation, ending a special time together.

With Judy one of those players is Campbell, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound two-way lineman with a beard an Oregon woodsman would be envious of.

“Jeff was a huge part of our success,” Judy said. “He demanded double teams and even then was unblock-able at times. We’re going to try and find a guy who can fit that mold and maybe grow into a Jeff, but we’re not going to have another Jeff Campbell next year.”

He will also have to find someone to replace Campbell as the “first guy off the bus” for next season.

“The first guy off the bus might not have the beard next year,” Judy laughed. “But we do have some guys that are pretty mean looking. We’ll have them ready to go.”

Campbell accepted a football scholarship to attend Delaware State University. Campbell will play his first college game at the same stadium he played his last high school game when the Hornets open the 2016 season on the road at Delaware.

For Campbell, winning this title meant a lot on several levels.

“It sunk in,” Campbell said. “We won the championship and that’s great, I realize I won’t get to play with any of my teammates again, unless some of them come to Delaware State with me.

“My dad, in 1975, went 10-0 at Smyrna and didn’t get to win the championship,” said Campbell, making a good story even better. “They didn’t even get to go. They only took one representative from the Henlopen South and they took Milford.”

Obviously it was turn of events that stuck with his father Jeff until the Eagles won their first state title in school history.

“Him having me, and his heart in football, he was so down about that game, they didn’t get to go and us winning it meant a lot to him,” Campbell said. “It kind of lets me leave my legacy and help him put his to rest.”

Judy is confident Smyrna will be a contender in 2016.

“We have a good base coming back offensively,” Judy said. “Offensively we are going to lose the receivers. We had four very productive receivers during the year who were veterans in this offense after two years.

“But the future is bright. The kids on the freshman and JV teams are outstanding. They’re going to slide right in. I think numbers wise-we should be pretty close. These guys are very explosive just like the ones heading out.”

“Jeff (Campbell) was a huge part of our success. He demanded double teams and even then was unblock-able at times. We’re going to try and find a guy who can fit that mold and maybe grow into a Jeff, but we’re not going to have another Jeff Campbell next year.”
Smyrna head coach Michael Judy.

Judy said the new guys in the trenches will have a tough time matching this group’s toughness and will to win.

“We lose three offensive lineman,” Judy said. “Those are going to be the guys that are hard to replace. We lose out starting center, our starting left tackle and and our starting right guard. We lose big Jeff and he was part of that as well. That’s where we’re going to be hit the hardest.”

On defense, Judy said the Eagles return nine players with starting experience. So the Eagles hope not to be one-hit wonders.

For Campbell, he is glad his is playing college football near his father.

“It’s just me an my dad since 2009, he’s all I really knew,” said Campbell, who notes his father raised him as single parent. “It’s not like I’m going far away for college, but I’m not going to be able to see him as much as I’m going to be a full time athlete and a full time student.”

Campbell said he feels his roots are in Southern Delaware and that’s all he needs.

“I don’t see myself leaving this town,” Campbell said. “I think this is where I’ll be for a long time and where I’ll die. I’ll be here every Friday night watching the (Smyrna) games, it’s not a far drive. So I’ll support the team. I’m an Eagle through and through.”

For now, Campbell is preparing for the next chapter in football life.

“I’m just lifting, trying to keep my head on straight with the books,” Campbell said. “I want to keep my grades up and finish the year strong.”

Campbell, who will likely stick to the defensive side of the ball at Delaware State, said he would love a shot at playing in the NFL some day.

“NFL is a great possibility,” said Campbell, who lists Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt as a player he admires. “Any dream is reachable, you just have to put your mind to it and work hard to achieve it.”

The Smyrna football team proved that this year.

IN just his sophomore season, Will Knight rushed for over 2,000 yards and 33 TDs.