CAMERON –The Cameron Dragons (10-1), coming off a Class A first-round playoff victory over No. 9 Man, will face a new test Saturday playing the top-seeded James Monroe Mavericks (9-1) in the state quarterfinals.
The postseason contest is set for 1:30 at the hosting Mavericks’ home H. E. Comer Jr. Sports Complex.
Cameron, who jumped Man in the playoff rankings in the last week of the regular season from No. 9 to No. 8, bested the Hillbillies 40-8 in their meeting Saturday, Nov. 11.
The Dragons showed the same strengths that have brought them 10 straight wins since their week one loss to West Greene (PA), namely a fearsome running attack.
Cameron racked up 230 team rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in the game. Senior quarterback Colson Wichterman (171 rushing yards and three touchdowns) and junior running back Klypsan Wallace (57 rushing yards and two touchdowns) led the way for the Dragons.
Wichtermand and Wallace both surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in rushing this year, the first time the school has had two such runners.
Defensively, Cameron was equally as stingy against the run as their offense was effective in running the ball. The Dragons allowed just 2.5 yards per carry against the Hillbillies.
James Monroe, meanwhile, showed little trouble against No. 16 Sherman, coming into Saturday off a 48-15 win.
James Monroe junior quarterback Layton Dowdy continued an excellent season in the first round matchup, passing for five touchdowns and running for one more in the game.
He connected with talented weapons Chaz Boggs, Brock Parker, and Ryan Manns for his scores. While the Cameron rushing defense was up to the task last week, it may be the passing defense which is tested this week.
