By Jonathan Bailey
If you haven’t felt the breeze in Tommy Richardson Stadium this year, I can promise that you are missing out. The action in the past three contests for the Lions has been remarkable, truly hard-nosed and tough football. The lineman have battled tirelessly as the exterior players have made exciting play after exciting play. The 41-27 defeat of East Hickman High School this past Friday was no different and was one for the record books.
Within seconds of Camden receiving the kickoff, the battle in the trenches began. The team scored their first points within 1 minute of the game’s start. The CHS offensive line held firm as quarterback Will Dobson connected with wide receiver Isaac Moore for a 79-yard touchdown pass.
It only took one play for Camden to score their next points, only four minutes into the contest, as Dobson connected with another receiver Tucker Jackson for a 57-yard touchdown. The Lions’ third touchdown of the night came from running back Jaylen Boggs as he rushed 35 yards down the field, creating nothing but space between him and the East Hickman defenders.
By halftime, East Hickman had battled themselves into contention, tying the game at 21. Coach Matt McConnell must have had some magic up his sleeve going into the locker room, as when the Lions returned, they absolutely dominated the second half.
Dobson connected two more times with Jackson for touchdowns and running back Jaylen Boggs snagged a 48-yard touchdown run as he stiff-armed the competition at the end zone line.
The Lions were an offensive powerhouse Friday night, producing 447 yards of total offense with 6 touchdowns, leading us to a historic event. For the first time in CHS football history a quarterback had over 100+ yards passing, two receivers had over 100+ yards receiving, and a running back had 100+ yards rushing.
In total, Dobson completed 13 of 20 pass attempts for 281 yards, four touchdowns, and a 249.2 quarterback rating. Boggs had 13 carries for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson had 10 catches out of 13 attempts with 172 yards and three touchdowns. These feats could not have been accomplished without the tenacious and enduring offensive line play.
Defensive play for the Lions was no different. Led by the dangerously good linebacker Karson Goodwin, who had 11.5 total tackles, the Lions played aggressively on the line to keep the Eagles from beating them out. Linebackers Nathan Redman, Gage Lee, and Boggs each had seven tackles in the game as well.
The Lions capped off their night on defense with 63 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and one sack. Linebacker Lee had his own historic stat, as he tackled East Hickman’s offensive players 5.5 times in the backfield. As CHS records only reflect back to 1997, this may be a first in CHS history.
“I am so very proud of these young men. They fought hard to the very last second,” McConnell said at the end of the game. “Their work ethic and discipline from whistle to whistle is what football is all about.”
To view more game photos, follow the Lions on their Facebook page at Camden Central High School Football.
