Marc Narducci: Charles Watkins, Camden haven't lost hope

As a four-year varsity football player at Camden, receiver-cornerback Charles Watkins has seen things from both ends.

He has concluded that the view in his freshman and sophomore seasons has been much better than that of the last two, at least from a football perspective.

Watkins performed for playoff teams his first two seasons, but since then has been part of winning one game - and none in five tries this season.

Despite the lack of victory celebrations, he has learned a little about his makeup and that of his teammates.

"It's been a learning experience," he said after Saturday's 13-7 loss to Timber Creek.

He has also learned is that it's not easy to catch a pass with two or three defenders on him. In addition, Watkins appreciates the mental toughness his teammates have shown.

"This team never gives up," he said.

That wasn't just somebody trying to say something positive in a frustrating situation. Camden has indeed been in every game this season. The worst defeat was a 19-2 loss to Camden Catholic, The Inquirer's third-ranked South Jersey team, on opening night.

In the last three weeks, Camden has lost by a touchdown each to Triton, Holy Cross and Timber Creek, teams that are a combined 9-4.

The best analysis of Camden came from Timber Creek coach Rob Hinson, a graduate of the school.

Hinson said he didn't sleep all week in preparing for his alma mater - and with good reason.

"Sometimes if you hit teams in the mouth, they quit," he said. "Everybody has hit Camden in the mouth, and they haven't quit."

No, there isn't any quit in this team, and despite no wins and few receptions, Watkins is holding his head high.

He has already committed to the University of Virginia, which plans to use him as a receiver.

This year, since Camden has found it difficult to get him the ball, Watkins has had to do other things, such as return a first-quarter kickoff 73 yards, leading to Camden's only score against Timber Creek.

He is playing more defense than ever and has shown himself to be a tough-cover corner who can pack a pop.

"I've noticed that my defense has stepped up, and that is a positive," Watkins said.

So is his attitude.

He wants to win badly, but it makes no sense to criticize teammates who can't match his skills. In truth, there aren't many players in South Jersey who match up to Watkins in the skill department.

"I know that everybody is trying hard," he said. "I can't get mad, because everybody here wants to win."

Nobody wants to win more than Watkins, who is also an accomplished student at Camden's Charles E. Brimm Medical Arts School. So, like his teammates, he continues to hold out hope.

"You have to keep trying," Watkins said. "Each week could be that week that we turn it around."