It’s been 50 years since Bradford completed an undefeated conference football championship.

Jim Camerota has been a part of the coaching staff on the northside for the final 28 years of that stretch. During his time as an assistant and head coach, the Red Devils had mustered just one conference title (1987).

That is until now.

Camerota, the team’s defensive coordinator, played a large part in Bradford’s return to the top of the conference ladder. On Wednesday, his defense’s goal line stand just before halftime kept momentum on the Red Devils’ side in a 35-6 victory over crosstown rival Tremper at Indian Trail Stadium.

After the win, Bradford coach Jed Kennedy presented Camerota with the game ball and he got a rousing ovation before the team broke the postgame huddle. It was well-deserved, given Camerota molded a group that featured only one returning starter in Quanzell Murphy into a staunch defense.

“It’s so gratifying,” Camerota said. “Everybody says they’re young, but we really started out with no returners and come a long way.

“The kids have worked really hard.”

While head coaches have come and gone, the one constant in the Bradford football program has been Camerota.

Beginning as an assistant under Harry Stoebe. He served on successful (1987, 1992, 2006) and not-so successful squads under Tom Roders, Dave Newberry and Mike Bartholomew.

He even gave head coaching a try, taking over for Newberry in 1998. His four-year stint in the captain’s chair was definitely a learning experience as the Red Devils scuffled to an 8-28 mark, including just six wins in the SEC.

Getting the players to turn out in number was a problem in the 1990s at Bradford. That’s not the case anymore as every incoming player from middle school wants his chance to get on the field.

“We’ve got three corners that are tremendous cover kids that have speed. We have a couple of free safeties,” Camerota said. “There’s talent all over that we’re trying hard to get on the field.

“It’s a nice problem to have.”

During his head-coaching tenure, Camerota’s teams were often physically overmatched. He still takes a ribbing about a comment after a blowout loss to then-powerhouse Oak Creek about worrying for his players’ safety.

That’s not the case anymore as Bradford is usually the team pushing other teams around.

“We are so much more physical now,” Camerota said. “Jed has done a tremendous job with our offseason program and the kids buying in. They are going into the weight room a lot.

“We have come along way physically, that we are now able to compete at a State level.”

Camerota and Co. will get a chance to prove it when the playoffs begin on Tuesday.

Mike Larsen can be contacted at mlarsen@kenoshanews.com