CHERRY TWP - He's a two-way high school football starter who anchors the middle of the offensive and defensive units?

Sophomores aren't supposed to do that, but Moniteau's Clay Campbell did.

The 5-foot-11, 202-pound Campbell is a returning starter for the Warriors at center and middle linebacker in his junior season.

"Clay had a remarkable season," Moniteau coach Steve Wilson said. "He's such an intense player. He played some offensive guard for us as a freshman, too."

That was because starter Jason Fleming went down with an injury that year.

"Getting a chance to see some varsity time as a freshman helped me," Campbell said. "It showed me what to expect. I knew what I had to get ready for."

Offensively, Moniteau rushed for 2,100 yards and threw for 1,200 yards with Campbell at center last year.

Campbell led the Warriors' defense in tackles last season with 76 - 21 solos, 55 assists - while contributing an interception and three fumble recoveries.

And he had never played middle linebacker before last season.

"I was a defensive tackle in junior high and didn't see any time on defense my freshman year," Campbell said. "At this time last year, Coach (assistant Jeff) Campbell (who is no relation) told me to go over with the linebackers, that he was going to make a linebacker out of me.

"I love playing there. You get to hit harder and there's not another body on you right away," he added.

Campbell's prime responsibility is stopping the run.

"That's what he's in there for, to plug things up," Wilson said. "But he's an active linebacker who can roam to the ball."

Campbell played on seventh- and eighth-grade teams that were undefeated at Moniteau. The high school team has reached the playoffs each of the past two years.

In Campbell's mind, the years of Moniteau football teams being overpowered by physical teams are over.

"Coaches (Randy) Armagost and (Ken) Flick have done a great job of changing that mindset in the lower grades," Campbell said. "We're upset about losing that playoff game last year. That's what's fueling us now."

Not that Campbell needs any extra motivation to play football. His intense nature caused his teammates to elect him as a tri-captain this year.

"He received more votes than anyone," Wilson said. "Almost every player on the team wrote his name down. They really respect him.

"Clay will get on his teammates as much as the other team. He makes sure nobody loses focus out there. He knows where everyone is supposed to be on both sides of the ball," he added.

"My teammates and I yell at each other, but it's all constructive criticism," Campbell said. "We're all here for the same reason. We want to win."

Campbell was second team all-conference last year, and he's an almost certain lock to make the first team this year.

"I wish I had another 15 kids just like him," Wilson said. "Clay plays the game the way it's supposed to be played."

"I need to work on my reads and control my temper - at least, channel it in the right direction," Campbell said. "We have a lot of younger guys who are hungry to win. It's gonna be fun."