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Cameron Not Taking Paden City Lightly

Photo by Josh Strope Cameron puts its undefeated record on the line Friday when it travels to Paden City to face the Wildcats.

PADEN CITY — Cameron and Paden City is a gridiron battle that has been going on for decades and this year’s matchup showcases an unbeaten Cameron team against a Paden City squad that just won its first game last week.

Although it might not sound like an intriguing contest, you can throw the records out the window when the Wildcats and Dragons square off.

“These teams have been playing for years,” Cameron coach Scott Holt said. “When these two small towns get together on the field, funny things can happen and the records don’t matter.”

Cameron (4-0) is coming off an impressive 30-20 victory against a previously undefeated Bishop Donahue group, but that could also set up for a possible trap game for the Dragons.

“It was a night where a lot of things were going right for us,” Holt said. “I couldn’t be more proud of these kids and the coaches.

“We have a great group of kids. They bring their best every week and they are completely focused on Paden City.”

Paden City (1-3) is also coming off of a big victory. The Wildcats dismantled Hundred last Friday by a 59-0 count and hope to ride that momentum right into this week’s game.

“Everything came together for us last week,” Paden City coach Brent Croasmun said. “Everyone came to play and we are hoping that momentum carries over to this week.

“Cameron is an excellent football team. They are skilled, well-coached and they have a good thing going right now.”

The Dragons’ ground game was rolling last week as they ran for 161 yards on 39 rushes for three touchdowns. Michael Starcher led that rushing attack with 125 yards on 23 carries for a pair of scores and he could be poised for another week of big numbers.

“Starcher is very valuable to our team,” Holt said. “He is immeasurable. He played banged up last week and still performed at 100 percent. That just shows what this team means to him and when he does that, nobody else can find an excuse not to play.”

Paden City has a playmaker on its sideline as well in Hayden Hizer.

Hizer missed the first two games with an injury, but he made an impact on last week’s game and could be someone to watch going into this matchup.

“Hizer was hurt to start the year but he is back and in football shape,” Croasmun said. “He can find the holes and I think that our linemen realize that and they might put in more effort for that reason.”

Paden City rushed for 248 yards in last week’s victory and Hizer garnered 52 of them, while scoring on a rush, reception, punt return and a kickoff return, proving that he can be an impact player in all aspects of the game.

Wildcats quarterback Aaron Heasley also made an impact with 54 rushing yards and 110 passing yards, while notching three scores.

“I think that we have improved,” Croasmun coach said. “This will be the best team that we have faced all year and could be a good measuring stick to see how much we have improved this year.”

Cameron quarterback Colby Brown can also sling the ball around as he tossed for 170 yards and a score in last week’s win.

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