At 1-1 Camden Hosts Hartsville In Early Season Showdown Game

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher  

Camden—With the every two-year SCHSL realignment complete, the Camden football team will be competing as a AAA member during the 2026 season, as veteran head coach Brian Rimpf (124-67) begins his 10^th season with the Bulldogs football program.

The ’26 season got off on a high note with a 35-13 win over Dillon with the Bulldogs playing mistake free football while their defense forced three Dillon turnovers in the first half of that game.

Then one week later the Bulldogs played rival Lugoff-Elgin and Coach Rimpf described the 28-25 loss with these comments, “It was a tough one,” said Coach Rimpf. “In our first 13 plays we ran on offense we had four missed assignments, and two turnovers, and even with all going on we were only down 14-6 at the half.

“Then in the final seconds of the game we missed a field goal that would have tied the game so there are times things are just not meant to be,” said Coach Rimpf. “Lugoff Elgin is a vastly improved team no doubt and they are going to win their share of games this season.”

This week the Bulldogs are preparing to host Hartsville. “We have played Hartsville 8 times since I have been at Camden and the series is tied 4-4,” said Coach Rimpf. “They are a physical come right at you kind of team. We expect them to be ready to give us a very competitive game.”

Camden entered the season led by a core group of seniors. They include quarterback Greysen Rimpf (6-2, 190), TE Will Haunert (6-4, 215), OL Worth Thomasson, OL Kenneth Lawson, along with RB Jaden Manning.

The junior class is led by LB Lamey Penny (6-1, 15), and WR Bernard Green (5-9,175). The sophomore class is led by FS Ethan Drakeford (5-10, 190) and DL Marcus Hall (5-10, 260).

“WE have 12 returning starters, 8 on offense,” said Coach Rimpf in late July. “We are a team with a lot of speed.”

Coach Rimpf said some inexperience at certain spots on defense would need to be addressed. “You always need to create depth,” he said.

Quarterback Rimpf is starting for the third season. “He was made to play the position,” said Coach Rimpf, who just happens to be his proud father. “He is very even keeled and he does not get rattled easily.”

Coach Rimpf is also very high on WR Green. “He had six catches and two for touchdowns against Lugoff-Elgin and he also played well at free safety on defense,” said Coach Rimpf.

The Camden DL is led by senior DE Cayden Ferguson, and DE Javion Richardson, along with sophomore DL Marcus Hall (6-0,270). In the OL junior Tyler Atkinson (6-4, 275) returns as well.

“Our goals will always be to win the region title, then win the lower state championship, and then go get the state title,” said Coach Rimpf.