By Mike London
mlondon@salisburypost.com
Catawba football coach Chip Hester hasn’t been able to pump gas, buy milk or chew a sandwich the last two weeks without someone tapping him on a shoulder and inquiring about Cam Sexton.
“Hey, Chip, is the Carolina guy really coming?”
Yes, he is.
Sexton, who started games as North Carolina’s quarterback last fall while starter T.J. Yates was injured, announced he was heading to Catawba earlier this month, although paperwork had to be signed, sealed and delivered before Hester could make any official comment.
Sexton was just OK some days for the 2008 Tar Heels, but on others he was heroic. He led stirring wins against Miami, Notre Dame and Boston College. He threw for 242 yards against Miami. He tossed three TD passes to Hakeem Nicks to beat BC.
Sexton, who redshirted as a freshman at UNC in 2005 after a stellar career at Scotland High in Laurinburg, is set to graduate in May. But he still has one year of football eligibility remaining and has elected not to spend it backing up a healthy Yates.
Transferring to a Division II school, he doesn’t have to sit out any time. He’ll be able to play for the Indians this fall, as he begins work on a graduate degree.
“This is the single most talked about thing since I’ve been head coach,” Hester said. “There are lots of Tar Heel fans around here so everyone’s wanted to know about Cam since the possibility first came up. There’s a whole lot of buzz. I’m excited, and I know our team and coaches are.”
Hester said the journey began with an e-mail from Brent Sexton, a former Elon star and Pittsburgh Steeler who is Cam’s father. He contacted a number of D-II schools to explain his son’s situation and to evaluate interest.
“You’re always hearing rumblings that this guy or that guy is transferring somewhere, but obviously we expressed our interest,” Hester said.
Catawba probably jumped onto Sexton’s short list of finalists through a series of connections.
One of Sexton’s friends is Stewart Adams, a former Scotland County player who excelled as a linebacker at Catawba after a transfer from Appalachian State. Adams, who lives in Salisbury, endorsed Hester and the Indians.Catawba is on friendly terms with Tar Heels assistant coach Ken Browning. Catawba linebackers coach Todd McComb was a graduate assistant at UNC and still has friends in the program. Catawba coaches know Mark Barnes, who coached Sexton in high school, very well.
“Cam called and wanted to take a look at the school and to sit down and talk to me and (offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach) Matt Barrett,” Hester said. “Cam did his homework and went through a long process, thinking about his decision and leaving no stone unturned to find the right school. We were honest with each other. He understands what our philosophy is and what our priorities are. My impression is he’s a great young man who will fit right in.”
While Hester didn’t mention other schools, Sexton is reported to have strongly considered Gulf South powers Valdosta State and North Alabama, annually contenders for the D-II national championship.
Catawba has its own winning tradition. It would also seem to be a perfect fit for Sexton because it runs a pro-style offense, returns a stout offensive line intact and has the potential to field a lockdown defense. The one thing the Indians didn’t have is a clear-cut No. 1 quarterback.
Patrick Dennis (13 TD passes) and Howard Williamson (five) enjoyed shining moments last season. Williamson entered as the starter but got hurt. After that, Dennis performed admirably.
Young QB Daniel Griffith displayed promise. Shrine Bowl QB Brett Mooring, who took West Craven to the 3A championship game, signed in February.
Lots of options, but it’s an understatement to say Sexton is a big addition at the position.
Hester said the QBs in the program were kept up to date on Sexton’s situation. They knew there was a chance something might happen.
“If I was a quarterback who’s been in our program I might not be happy, but I’d understand, and all our guys do understand,” Hester said. “You recruit the best available players and competition makes everyone better. Putting the team first is something we ask of all our guys, and they all will do that.”
Former Catawba assistant Shane Handy recruited Scotland County and talked to Sexton about the Indians when he was in high school. Of course, Handy realized his chances were one in a billion. Sexton, who was ranked as one of the top handful of prep QBs in the country, was getting home visits from Bobby Bowden and Steve Spurrier in those days.
“I talked to Shane about that,” Hester said. “He said Cam was always gracious, always humble.”
Hester saw Sexton in high school at a Shrine Bowl combine.
“He has a heck of a skill set, a big-time arm, and he was one of the fastest guys there,” Hester said. “He was everything you look for in a quarterback.”
Since then, Hester has followed Sexton’s career on TV. He likes what he’s seen.
“I like his body language ó he’s in charge out there,” Hester said. “He’s a very confident guy and brings a lot of big-game experience to our program. And he hasn’t just played in big games, he’s had success in big games.”
Catawba fans are pumped. More tickets will be sold. The buzz in the air will be tangible at next Saturday’s Blue-White Spring Game. Sexton may be there to watch his future teammates.
“Cam could have gone pretty much anywhere he wanted to go in D-II, but he picked Catawba,” Hester said. “That says good things about our program and our school. Right off the get-go, it ups the ante a little bit and makes the bull’s eye on us a bit bigger, but the possibilities are extremely exciting.”