By Ronnie Gallagher
rgallagher@salisburypost.com
MOUNT ULLA ó When Kameron Finchum lines up against West Craven Saturday in the 3A state championship game, it won’t be his first appearance at a state title contest.
He’s a veteran of these events, played on large college football fields.
While living in Kentucky, his community’s high school, Boyle County, made a habit of making it to the final day of the season. He saw his first championship game as a third-grader in Louisville’s stadium. He watched five straight state title appearances by Boyle County and six overall, wondering if he would ever get to suit up for one of these spectacles.
The senior linebacker has finally made it ó a few states away.
“It’s better than just being there,” Finchum understated. “I’m actually playing with a bunch of brothers.”
The “brothers” he is referring to are his Falcon teammates who have surged to a 14-1 record. This is Finchum’s second year at West after moving down from Boyle County, which is located 45 minutes from Lexington.
“I’ve gotten real close to a lot of them,” he said.
More difficult than making friends was learning the West Rowan system. The Falcons play different schemes from what he was used to in Kentucky.
Finchum has spent a lot of time on special teams and has done quite well, according to defensive coordinator David Hunt.
“He has played a big role there,” Hunt said. “He’s the long snapper on punts and one of our wedge-busters on kickoffs.”
Finchum was also banged up the first part of the season.
“I had some bumps and bruises, but I’m over all of them,” Finchum said. “I’m back to playing.”
And playing quite frequently.
“He started last Friday (against South Point) and he’ll probably start this week at linebacker,” Hunt said.
What has happened?
“The last four or five weeks, the light has really come on,” Hunt said. “We don’t have a kid on the defensive side of the ball who has improved as much as Kam has. His stock has gone up tremendously.”
Finchum says he talks to his friends back home and is quick to point out Boyle County was beaten last week. So while his buddies are watching the state final, he is still putting on the pads.
And he can’t wait for Saturday.
“We’re not just playing a game,” Finchum said. “We’re playing for a big-time win.”