Lions face defending state champion Huntingdon tonight

Camden faces another early-season test tonight when the Lions travel to Paul Ward Stadium to take on defending Class 2A state champion Huntingdon.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Both teams are coming off competitive season openers, though with different results. Camden fell 21-16 to Riverside after carrying a three-point lead into the fourth quarter, while Huntingdon rallied from a slow start to defeat Class 1A power McKenzie 28-21.

The matchup will feature two offenses that found success in very different ways last week.

Camden did most of its damage through the air behind quarterback Jake Reynoldson and receiver Kade Johnson. Reynoldson completed 13 of 21 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns against Riverside, with Johnson catching eight passes for 165 yards and both scores.

Their biggest connection was an 84-yard touchdown that demonstrated Camden’s ability to strike quickly.

The Lions will be looking for more production on the ground this week after managing only 20 rushing yards on 17 attempts against Riverside. Camden finished with 239 total yards and possessed the football for less than 18 minutes.

Huntingdon, meanwhile, showed just how dangerous its running game can be once it gets going.

The Mustangs struggled early against McKenzie, gaining just two yards through their first three possessions before quarterback Kenton Smith took over.

Smith rushed for 196 yards on only 15 carries and accounted for all four Huntingdon touchdowns. He scored on runs of six, 58 and 93 yards and threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Garvin Kee.

Huntingdon finished with 234 rushing yards and 274 yards of total offense.

Containing Smith and preventing the explosive play figures to be one of Camden’s biggest challenges.

The Lions’ defense produced several positives in the loss to Riverside. Reynoldson and Isaiah Goodwin recorded 10 tackles apiece, while Keeghan Christopher finished with nine. Reynoldson also intercepted a pass, and Goodwin forced a fumble that Camden recovered.

Camden won the turnover battle but was hurt by Riverside’s ability to sustain drives. The Panthers finished with 395 total yards and held the football for more than 30 minutes.

Huntingdon had some problems of its own last week.

The Mustangs were penalized 10 times for 105 yards and also turned the ball over once. McKenzie rushed for 86 yards in the opening quarter and led 7-0 before Huntingdon finally found its footing midway through the second period.

The Mustangs scored twice late in the first half to take a 14-7 lead, then Smith’s 93-yard touchdown in the third quarter helped create some separation.

McKenzie remained within striking distance until Zayden Connelly intercepted a pass during the Rebels’ final possession.

Tonight’s game continues a difficult opening stretch for Camden. The Lions’ non-region schedule includes Riverside, Huntingdon, McKenzie and Dyersburg.

Huntingdon presents perhaps the toughest challenge of that group.

The Mustangs went 14-1 last season and captured the second state championship in program history. Huntingdon returns eight starters on offense and eight on defense from that team.

Veteran head coach Eric Swenson is 175-52 in 18 seasons at Huntingdon and 193-67 overall in 21 seasons as a head coach. He also served as the Mustangs’ offensive coordinator when Huntingdon won its first state championship in 2003.

Camden head coach John Ross Hudson is in his third season leading the Lions. Camden finished 5-6 last season, placed third in Region 6-3A and advanced to the Class 3A playoffs.

The Mustangs controlled last year’s meeting between the teams, winning 35-0 in Camden.

For the Lions to change that result tonight, slowing Huntingdon’s big-play rushing attack while finding more offensive balance will be important. Camden showed last week that Reynoldson and Johnson can create explosive plays through the air, but the Lions will be looking to sustain more drives and keep Huntingdon’s offense on the sideline.

Huntingdon will attempt to build on last week’s victory while cleaning up the penalties and slow start that allowed McKenzie to remain in the game.

Camden enters tonight 0-1, while Huntingdon is 1-0.