Injury-riddled Cameron Dragons rally young talent for hostile MEC clash

By Calvin Silvers

As we dive into Week 6 of the high school football season, it’s hard to believe we’re already past the halfway mark. This week promises more high-stakes action, which includes the showdown between the visiting Cameron Dragons and the Savannah Savages.

For the past decade, the Savages have held the upper hand, but this year, Cameron is determined to turn the tide. The Dragons head into this week sporting a roster that looks a bit different from what fans saw in Week 1 as a flurry of injuries and lineup changes has contributed to a challenging 0-5 start.

On the other sideline, the Savages are riding high after back-to-back victories over MEC rivals, dominating their opponents with a staggering combined score of 107-6. They’ve found their rhythm and are building momentum at just the right time, making them a formidable challenge for the Dragons this week.

“We’re going to their place, it’ll be hostile, we know that they’re going to be physical,” Dragons’ head coach Wes Bell said. “They run the football really, really well, they are starting to kind of find their rhythm, and have done a good job with that so it’ll be physical.”

The Dragons have faced a string of tough breaks, losing their starting quarterback in Week 2 and fielding six starters out against a relentless St. Pius X squad. In their matchup against Maryville, they were forced to lean on youth, with six sophomores and three freshmen stepping up under pressure.

Despite finishing with a winning record last season, the Dragons have struggled to have a winning season since the 2020 season with just one.

“I don’t hide it. You know, I told them for the time being, right now we’re not the best team in the league,” Bell said. “There’s going to be a bunch of stuff… you can’t practice it, so it’s just here we go, prepare mentally and show up, do what we do.”

Creating a rowdy atmosphere at practice can be challenging, but the Dragons are already strategizing for the loud crowd.

Having faced this situation before, the team has embraced the use of play cards on the sideline to communicate plays effectively, ensuring that noise won’t become a barrier to their execution.

“We’ve done it before,” senior Hudson Lodder said. “We went to Chillicothe and it was their homecoming and stuff and sometimes it’s hard to hear, but we got some stuff that we’re doing differently.”

Savannah has dominated this rivalry with 15 straight wins over their conference foe, and this year’s road to victory looks just as challenging as ever.

But belief can be a powerful motivator, and the Dragons are slowly regaining their confidence. With a renewed focus on execution, they’re building momentum and proving that they can compete, no matter the obstacles in their path.

“We’re back to basics,” Bell said. “We’re just trying to teach really simple fundamentals. I do think that we could have a shot to compete, so our big focus right now is just us and simple little detail things that we’re trying to improve.”

The Dragons anticipate the return of several injured players next week, but for now, they’ll once again lean on their younger talent.

While experience is invaluable, the coaching staff is keeping spirits high, instilling a sense of hope that this youthful lineup can rally and make a strong push as the season progresses. It’s all about building for the future while staying competitive in the present.

“We’re just kind of getting them (youth) excited to play or just like want to be there and not scared when they get there on Friday night,” senior Gage Jones said. “We’re just replacing them (injured players) and we have to go with what happens.”