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Navy football looks to extend winning ways

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Naval Academy head coach Paul Johnson has established a winning tradition since he took over a program that had losing records in 18 of the 20 seasons before he arrived.

After going 2-10 in 2002, Johnson led the Midshipmen to four straight winning seasons and four consecutive bowl berths. Navy owns an 8-0 record against service academy rivals Army and Air Force during Johnson’s tenure and has captured the coveted Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy four years in a row.

Navy went 9-4 last year and played in the Meineke Car Bowl.

“The bar has been set pretty high around here and we definitely don’t want to be the team that lowers it,” senior slot back and offensive captain Reggie Campbell said. “I think as long as we carry the work ethic from the past couple years forward, we’ll be fine.”

Navy’s class of 2007 notched 35 career victories, second only to the class of 1909. This year’s senior class needs only 10 victories to set the all-time record.

“When you build a program, that’s kind of the way it works. Year after year, the next class has a chance to get where the previous one was or surpass them,” said Johnson, who will be seeking his 100th career coaching victory when Navy opens at Temple on Friday.

The team returns proven and productive players at all the skill positions, including junior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, who led the team to four straight wins after replacing the injured Brian Hampton last year, and running back Reggie Campbell, who accumulated 1,362 all-purpose yards and scored seven touchdowns.

The offense may need to carry a young, inexperienced defense early on. Navy graduated nine of 11 defensive starters and the depth chart is filled with players who have barely seen the field.

“I think we’ll be better on defense than people think. We have a lot of guys that run real well and that can make up for inexperience,” Johnson said.

Junior Matt Harmon provided consistent place-kicking last season, connecting on 37 of 38 extra point attempts while making 8 of 11 field goals.

Navy has already signed an agreement to appear in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, provided it wins at least six games. Johnson feels the schedule, which features five Bowl Championship Series conference teams, is tougher than in recent years.