The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS – After recording just two wins in the programs previous two seasons, the Bath County Chargers football team found new leadership in BCHS alum, Jake Phillips.
Phillips joined Bath County after posting a 6-20 record during his tenure with Staunton High School.
In Phillips first season as head coach at Bath County, the football team doubled their win total from the previous two seasons and finished with a 4-7 overall record.
The four wins was enough for the Chargers to reach the Class 3, Region C postseason where they ultimately lost to Galax 49-0.
Of the four wins that the team had last year, three of them came within the Pioneer District. The Chargers had a chance to win the district regular season title but lost on the road to district champion Narrows Green Wave 42-35.
During the 2022 season, Bath County was led by their quarterback, then sophomore, Wyatt Campbell. Campbell led the team in not only passing but rushing as well. On the field Campbell was a menace to opposing defenses and his ability to avoid the rush and break through defenses caused headaches on the opposing side of the field. Campbell finished with 888 passing yards to go along with 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions. On the ground, he had 878 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.
Following the season, the program had last year and a plethora of returning student athletes, Phillips and his players in his second season with Bath County are primed for even more success this upcoming 2023 season.
While the defense took a slight hit with players graduating, the team has a bunch of key returners in Braiden Made, Ethan Bryant, Hunter Waldeck, and Bransen Gordon, who each had over 50 tackles.
Bath County kicks off their season on Friday with a road game against Mountain View (Quicksburg). Last year the Chargers defeated Mountain View 50-6 at home.
