The Bath County High School football program has taken leaps and bounds forward since Jake Phillips was named head coach in 2022.
Since Phillips took over the program, the Chargers are 13-9 and have made back-to-back playoff appearances.
From the 2016 through the 2021 season, the program only had 12 wins.
This past year saw the Bath County football program put together their best season in 20 years where the team was the state runner-up.
The quarterback behind center that year, current head coach, Jake Phillips.
The Chargers finished 9-2 overall and made a return to the Region 1C tournament.
It was a remarkable year for the program as they won their first nine games by an average margin of over 40 points a game. The team was even in position to be the potential top seed in the regional tournament.
Bath County was the talk of not just the town, or the region, but the state. News outlets from afar wanted to share in on the story about the team and their head coach.
Unfortunately, despite a 9-0 start to their season, the Chargers lost their final two games of the season, including the game that determined the Pioneer District champion.
It was the second year in a row that Narrows, the juggernaut of the district, ended Bath County’s hopes of winning a district title as they handed the Chargers their first loss of the season 47-19 in Hot Springs.
Despite the loss, BCHS earned themselves a home regional first-round playoff game at Carl F. Williams football field as the four-seed.
The challenge to advance further into regional play was a rematch with Galax.
In the season prior in 2022, the Maroon Tide sent the Chargers home with a 49-0 regional first-round victory.
Flash forward to 2023, this time the roles were reversed for the home crowd; however, the result was more of the same as Galax prevailed 42-7.
Following their win over Bath County, Galax, who was the 5-seed in the region, would go on to win regionals over George Wythe and then win the Class 1 state championship against Essex.
At the front and center of the success for the Bath County football team this past season was standout quarterback Wyatt Campbell.
Campbell put together a remarkable season where he was a nightmare to opposing defenses and they tried to solve his passing attack, along with his quick footwork and his ability to burn a defense with his speed.
The junior finished with 50 total touchdowns (22 passing, 27 rushing, special teams). Campbell also had 1,533 rushing yards and 964 yards passing.
Those stats, however, weren’t even for a full season.
In the game against Narrows, Campbell left in the second quarter where he already had multiple touchdowns. Unfortunately, Campbell would suffer an upper-body injury and did not return for the second half. He would also miss the team’s regional playoff game.
And the old saying goes “what if”.
It’s a saying that is spoken about all too frequently in sports.
With how successful Bath County was through their first nine games, the team would have certainly made some noise in the regional playoffs had the injury to Campbell not occurred. I would go as far to even say that there would be a different regional and Class 1 state champion crowned.
But let’s not take away from what was such a successful season overall from Bath County.
The team had its most wins in 20 years. The program also recorded their most shutouts in 10 years with four.
The defense was led by district defensive player of the year, Braiden Mabe. Mabe finished third on the team in tackles with 77, while 33 of them were for a loss. Mabe also added seven sacks and five forced turnovers.
Ethan Bryant, who was an All-Pioneer first-team linebacker led the Chargers in tackles with 100, including 14 for a loss. Cooper Lowry was second on the team in tackles with 87 but was also the team’s leader in interceptions with two. Lowry was a second-team all-district defensive back.
Along with a stout defense, the offense was not only centered around Campbell, but also his supporting cast. Luke Turner was a second-team all-district running back, who had over 500 yards rushing and five scores.
Meanwhile, Andrew Turner led the team in receptions with 22, along with 544 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. A. Turner was a first team all-district wide receiver and kicker.
All-in-all, the Chargers finished with a dozen players that were named to the all-district first and second teams, along with honorable mentions.
Phillips was also named the district’s coach of the year.
Overall, despite how the season ended, it will go down as the programs best and most exciting season in 20 years.
While the team will lose many key senior pieces who were a big part of the team’s success this year, the team will have plenty of talent that will be returning next season, as well as new additions to the roster.
One thing for certain though is, Bath County football is back on the map!
2023 Schedule at a glance
Week 1 – W @ Mountain View 54-8
Week 2 – W vs Page County 52-38
Week 3 – W @ Richwood 47-6
Week 4 – W vs Meadow Bridge 48-0
Week 5 – W @ Roanoke Catholic 63-28
Week 6 – Bye
Week 7 – W vs Auburn 47-0
Week 8 – W @ Eastern Montgomery 49-0
Week 9 – W vs Craig County 62-3
Week 10 – W @ Parry McCluer 55-0
Week 11 – L vs Narrows 47-19
Week 12 – L vs Galax 42-7 Class 1, Region C Tournament
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