They lost nine starters on offense and nine of defense to graduation last spring, but that was just the start for the Campbell High School football team. Two players they expected to contribute this fall were declared academically ineligible. Another walked off the field and out of the program during a pre-season scrimmage.

Then before its season opener against Inter-Lakes, Campbell lost three potential starters to injury. The result was an all too predictable 34-14 loss. The Cougars face another tough opponent this week at Winnisquam Regional in Tilton, but the good news is three players will be back in uniform.

Returning to the lineup this week is senior starting wide receiver and cornerback Keithen Craig, two-way senior lineman Matt Harden and sophomore Mike Coughlin.

“Winnisquam looked good last week,” Campbell coach Mark Prindiville said of Bears 35-0 victory over Fall Mountain, “but we fully expect to go up there Saturday and win the game.”