In Taylorsville, Miss., football is life.

Grown men gather at a popular coffee shop to discuss the Taylorsville football team’s chances in this week’s game. A wave of excitement that would make any college envious fills the town of 1,300 as the weekly holiday approaches. The town floods the stadium at Taylorsville High School, anticipating a win. Anything less isn’t acceptable. Taylorsville lives for Friday night.

The rich tradition and high expectations in Taylorsville teach its football players to work hard and deal with the pressure that comes with perfection. Those lessons have paid off for Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell.

And after three rough years, Campbell has led No. 3 Auburn to an undefeated 7-0 record. He has thrown for more than 1,300 yards, 13 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

‘(Pressure) just doesn’t faze him,’ said Shannon White, Campbell’s coach at Taylorsville. ‘He’s able to face those types of things. He’s had coaches on him, fans on him and he’s never complained. He’s endured a lot.’

Highly recruited in high school, Campbell even had ESPN camera crews come to Taylorsville to see him in action against a team ranked in the top 10 in Mississippi. Campbell remained poised and showed why he was considered one of the top high school quarterbacks in the nation.

Once at Auburn, he was given the task of bringing a successful program into the elite ranks of college football. After two seasons of sharing the starting role with other quarterbacks, Campbell finally got his chance in 2003.

Under expectations higher than any he faced in Taylorsville, Campbell and Auburn failed to deliver. A season that began with talks of a national championship ended with a 7-5 record. Much of the blame was put on Campbell after each loss.

‘It’s never been Jason’s fault,’ said Tommy Tuberville, Auburn’s head coach. ‘We’ve either had problems with the offensive line or with dropped passes. He’s taken the criticism since he’s the quarterback. But he always keeps his composure. He’s the perfect quarterback.’

While many experts have been surprised with Campbell’s performance this year, his family and friends knew it was only a matter of time before he tasted success at the collegiate level.

‘To see the way it has come together for him this year, we’re very proud of him,’ said Larry Campbell, Jason’s brother. ‘Regardless of what happens, our family will be there for him. We’re more concerned about each other as people than what we’re doing in any sport. He can be confident knowing the family has his back, so he can go out there and perform.’

Strengthened by the support of his family, Campbell continues to prove his detractors wrong. Many have waited for the Campbell of 2003 to appear, and so far it hasn’t happened.

Jason took his lumps in the beginning, just as he did as a child playing football in the back yard against Larry. But he persisted, learned from his mistakes and is better for it.

‘He understands how to take criticism and he understands how to handle success,’ Tuberville said. ‘The sky’s the limit for him. He gets better every week.’

And while Campbell continues to gain fame throughout college football, it is his modest and quiet personality that makes him so popular with his teammates, both in Taylorsville and at Auburn.

‘Jason hasn’t changed at all,’ White said. ‘He doesn’t put on airs. He’s quiet, but he’s a leader. When he speaks, everyone listens. He shows respect to adults, to the church. Just talking to him, you wouldn’t know he’s a star quarterback. It’s not a hero’s welcome when he comes back here. Jason’s down to earth and as modest as they come.’

The people of Taylorsville couldn’t be happier to see Campbell succeed. And while he continues to catch the attention of coaches at both the collegiate and professional ranks, Auburn also tastes the success it has long yearned for.

‘He makes the whole team, and he’s just a great player,’ Louisiana Tech head coach Jack Bicknell said. ‘When he was younger, we played them. And I don’t feel that he was nearly as effective then as he is now. He’s extremely smart and doesn’t seem to be making many mistakes. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the country without a question.’

Tennessee safety Brandon Johnson was just having some early morning fun – with a shotgun.

Johnson and defensive back Chris Heath were firing a gun toward the air outside of running back Cedric Houston’s apartment when an off-duty police officer heard the shots early Monday morning, according to a police report.

Johnson was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, a felony. Heath was charged with the unlawful carrying of a firearm, police said.

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer dismissed Heath, who is on medical scholarship and has not played this year.

Johnson was suspended and is not expected to play Saturday against Alabama. He had two interceptions against Mississippi last week.

After Texas’ 28-20 win over Missouri on Saturday, Longhorns head coach Mack Brown suggested that after two poor passing games by quarterback Vince Young, backup quarterback Chance Mock might start in this week’s game against Texas Tech.

On Monday, Brown named Young the starter, but said he won’t hesitate to put Mock in.

‘We thought Chance got rid of some of the rush and did a good job,’ Brown said. ‘But Vince is 11-2, and we’ll continue with him this week.’

Young injured his sternum in the second quarter of the Missouri game and Mock filled in for the rest of the game. The two quarterbacks combined for 58 yards passing.

Published on October 20, 2004 at 12:00 pm