Photo gallery: Sexton leads Indians over St. Aug's
RALEIGH — It was difficult to tell what made quarterback Cameron Sexton more emotional on Saturday: leading his new Catawba team to a 25-7 victory over St. Augustine's at Broughton High School, or having more than a dozen of his former North Carolina teammates there to congratulate him afterwards.
“It’s real emotional for me,’’ said Sexton, a part-time starter last season who transferred during the offseason because he knew a healthy T.J. Yates would start at Carolina this season. “ You get calls all week, ‘we’re coming, we’re coming, we’re coming,’ but you don’t really know who’s coming or not. And you walk in, and half the stands are just filled with my former teammates – even Coach [Butch] Davis’ son is here. All the basketball guys could be doing whatever they want to be doing, but they’re my best friends, and they showed up to support me. That’s why I love them, I really do love them.”
Sexton completed 23 of his 40 passes with an interception and two touchdowns – the final one a 39-yard bomb to Travis Landrum. He passed for 336 yards total.
After his interview session, the first ones to hug him were basketball players Marcus Ginyard (wearing a T-shirt that read “Sex-ton Sells”), Marc Cambell (wearing a No. 11 Carolina Sexton jersey), and Deon Thompson – followed by a plethora of football players, including Yates, Kendric Burney, Quan Sturdivant, Bobby Rome and Kyle Jolly.
Staff photo by Robert Willett
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
It sounds like he's being
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 12:09 — Heels20It sounds like he's being better prepared for the NFL at Catawba. Obviously, he may not get the recognition there, but working on his deep ball, emerging as a true pocket passer, and finding ways to adjust quickly to a new system will all help him learn more how the position is played on a professional level. His size will work against him in the long run, but I wish him the best. He did a great job for the Heels last year (saved our season) and I hope he succeeds at Catawba.
Who knows?
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 13:26 — JPDOhioIt is not unheard of for a small school QB to succeed in the NFL. Think Ken Anderson. Not sure if Cam truly has what it takes, but he is certainly better off playing somewhere than carrying the clipboard at UNC.
Wish
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 11:18 — SurferI certainly wish Cam the best and hope to see him get a chance in the NFl. I also wish he had stayed at UNC, but understand why he didn't, Mike Paulus, admittedly, does make me a little nervous.
Jaded
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 11:06 — heelsno1It would take a really jaded perspective to not feel good about this story. I hope that Sexton stands out at Catawba and eventually gets to try out for an NFL team. I feel the same way about Greg Paulus at Syracuse.
What's wrong with this picture?
Sun, 08/30/2009 - 17:28 — JPDOhioA feel-good story about former teammates showing up to support a player who transferred to a smaller school for a chance to play. In a a high school stadium no less. And it turns into one more State vs UNC beat down.
Come on, guys, give it a break just once. I think it is pretty neat that Cam did well and he had a bunch of Tar Heels there to support him. That tells me all I need to know about Cam and how he left his former program. Seems like a class act to me.
You hit it right on the head, JPDOhio
Mon, 08/31/2009 - 17:09 — UNC1998Sexton is a person, and so are all the players who cheered him. They may play (or at one time did) for the Heels, but beyond that....they are friends. In the end what else is there?
"leading his new Catawba
Sat, 08/29/2009 - 17:33 — Puddentain"leading his new Catawba team to a 25-7 victory over Catawba at Broughton High School, "
Most teams that lose beat themselves. Here a case where they won by beating themselves. Or was Catawba college playing Broughton?
btw - Robbi, that's a nice profile picture.
Puddentain is a football genius
Sun, 08/30/2009 - 12:04 — Heels20Clearly, the win had nothing to do with Sexton throwing for 300+ yards and 2 TDs. What up NC State Homer?
Football Genus
Sun, 08/30/2009 - 14:00 — PuddentainYo, Heels20, I was commenting on a typo in the story. Robbi had fixed it by the time you read it.
I'm very happy for Cam. He's getting his dream and he's making the most of it.
It just goes to show you, if you want to succeed in life, go somewhere besides Carolina.
Hmm, aren't we scheduled to play Carolina on Thursday night?
?
Sun, 08/30/2009 - 14:43 — Heels20"It just goes to show you, if you want to succeed in life, go somewhere besides Carolina."
Yes, apply to first-year college at State, spend 8 years pursuing a degree in Turf Grass Managment, and live your life-long dream of becoming the next Carl Spackler. Cinderella boy.
Can't wait to see how much State fans celebrate and brag about beating a mediocre South Carolina team led by Stephen Garcia.
yes
Sun, 08/30/2009 - 15:25 — gvillegatroh, they'll be happier than pigs in ____. well, they already know.
fixed
Sat, 08/29/2009 - 18:56 — rpickeral (author)fixed...thanks!