Football around the Atmore area has seen some success this season with two high school teams earning winning seasons, but for one part-time Atmore native, the 2010 season could lead to a conference championship and a bowl game.

Josh Linam, the son of Atmore resident Kevin Linam, is the starting middle linebacker for the University of Central Florida Knights (5-2, 3-0), which are currently undefeated in Conference USA and one win away from becoming bowl eligible.

Linam said he is excited about the success his team has seen this season.

“I think overall we are having a great season,” Linam said. “We expected to be a good team, and our ultimate goal is to win a conference championship.”

In his first season as a starter, the junior from Tavares, Fla. is the third leading tackler for the Knights with 34 and has recorded 4 tackles for a loss and one sack this season.

His first start came in a 38-7 win against the University of South Dakota on Sept. 4, but in his second start he played on national television in a loss to the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

“The most exciting moments of this season were getting my first start and playing on TV against North Carolina State,” Linam said.

For more on this story see Saturday’s edition of The Atmore Advance.